Children Spotlight of the Week: Adhara Pérez Sánchez: The Young Genius Reaching for the Stars
At just 13 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has already accomplished what many can only dream of and she’s only just getting started. Born in Tláhuac, a municipality in Mexico City, and diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Adhara has transformed what was once seen as a challenge into one of her greatest strengths. Her IQ is reportedly 162, higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking and her achievements are nothing short of extraordinary.
Adhara’s early years were not easy. Misunderstood in school, frequently bullied by peers who nicknamed her “the robot,” and shuffled from one institution to another, she struggled to fit into traditional education settings. At one point, she experienced depression and social isolation. But with her family’s unwavering support and her own inner strength, Adhara emerged not only as a survivor but as a trailblazer.
By the age of 10, Adhara had already earned her first degree in Systems Engineering. Not long after, she completed a second in Industrial Engineering with a focus on mathematics. Today, she is pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics at the Technological University of Mexico. Her academic journey also includes advanced studies in gravitational waves and astronomy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
But her ambitions go far beyond the classroom.
Adhara dreams of becoming the first Mexican woman to walk on the Moon and eventually contribute to the colonization of Mars. “My dream since I was very young has been to walk on the Moon,” she shared in an interview. She aspires to work with NASA, and though she was offered a scholarship to study astrophysics at the University of Arizona, visa challenges have delayed her start. Undeterred, she continues to pursue her goals from home, all while serving as a STEM ambassador for the Mexican Space Agency.
Despite significant health scares, including a seizure and a coma at age seven. Adhara has never allowed adversity to define her. Her tenacity has earned her widespread recognition. She has been featured on the cover of Marie Claire Mexico, named one of Forbes Mexico’s 100 Most Powerful Women, and invited to speak at major conferences including the Mexico Aerospace Fair. In each appearance, she advocates passionately not only for space science but also for the inclusion of children with autism.
Now affectionately known as “the genius girl,” Adhara embraces the title with grace. “I’ve gotten used to being called that,” she says. “They started calling me ‘the genius girl’ when I was in high school at age seven. Now, I’m in university for postgraduate studies.”
She is more than a gifted student, she’s a powerful advocate. Adhara often speaks about the importance of autism awareness, especially within education systems. “Teachers should understand what autism is so that when a child has it, they know how to treat them properly and not as a problem child,” she said in one of her interviews.
From memorizing the entire periodic table as a child to standing on national stages as a role model, Adhara Pérez Sánchez is redefining what it means to be young, gifted, and determined. Her story is one of brilliance, resilience, and vision. And as she looks to the stars, she continues to inspire millions here on Earth.
