SAN DIEGO — A local engineer wants to help Black students write their own future in STEM.
The Sorrento Valley biomedical scientist authored a children’s book to inspire diversity in the field of science.
Neil Thompson’s love for science started as a child.
“What I really like about it is being able to really follow your curiosity,” said Thompson.
The biomedical engineer’s curiosity peaked when his then 9-year-old nephew, Anthony, asked him a question.
“When he asked me why his hair is the way it is, I actually didn’t know the answer,” said Thompson.
Thompson put his thinking cap on and searched for the answer. He ended up writing a children’s book in 2018, Ask Uncle Neil: Why is my hair curly?
The 30-page children’s book is about the science behind hair. Thompson said his father encouraged him to be an engineer, but he knows not every kid has the same support.
“Don’t discount it. Don’t think that you can’t do it. I did STEM, I studied engineering in school, and I worked as an engineer for a number of years. And it never even occurred to me that this is something that I couldn't do based on who I am,” said Thompson.
Zippia, an online recruiter site, reports that white men dominate the engineering workforce.
“I’ve been in situations when, in fact, most of them were, I was the only Black engineer there. But I never let that stop me from doing what I wanted to do, which was the work,” said the engineer. “I thought if they can do it, there’s no reason I couldn’t.”
Helping to turn the page over for diversity in STEM are two female Black authors, Zinet Kemal and Patricia McLaurin. They are collaborating with Thompson for a book giveaway during Black History Month.
Thompson hopes his book will inspire the next generation of Black innovators to be curious enough to write their own future.
“'You don’t really know why my hair is curly do you Uncle Neil? No, there is no scientific consensus,'” wrote Thompson.
The engineer’s curiosity is to be continued.
“You don’t have to have the answer yet because the answer could come at some point, at some point we didn’t know the answer to a lot of things but we know them now,” said Thompson.
To enter the free book giveaway click here. Thompson also coaches public speaking for STEM professionals.