While most 16-year-olds are stressing about getting their driver's license and surviving algebra, Mike Wimmer is out here casually collecting postgraduate degrees like they're Pokémon cards. This isn't some fictional wunderkind from a movie; Mike is a real-life intellectual supernova, having just become the YOUNGEST person in the entire United States to earn a PhD, according to Carolina University, where he donned the doctoral hood just this past Saturday. Yes, you read that right. Sixteen. Years. Old. Let that sink in.

Just a mere four years ago, at the tender age of 12, this brainy prodigy managed to not only graduate high school but also snag an associate's degree – all within the same year! Fast forward two more years, and at 14, he added a bachelor's degree to his already overflowing trophy cabinet of achievements. And now, at 16, he's not just stopping at one master's (which he acquired in the last two years, by the way), but he's gone all the way to a PhD. Talk about a mic drop moment!

"I’m super excited to have gotten to this point," Mike humbly shared with FOX Local, showcasing a level-headedness that belies his extraordinary accomplishments. His doctoral journey focused on the very essence of his being: innovation. "I always had the desire to solve problems in new ways that have never been done before," Mike explained, adding, "So, this is the perfect topic for me. It’s what I’ve been doing."

And Mike isn't just theorizing about innovation from behind stacks of books. This teenage titan is putting his brilliance into tangible action. His PhD dissertation wasn't some abstract academic exercise; it was rooted in a real-world problem that Mike is actively tackling. He's developed a commercially viable and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) specifically designed to combat the invasive lionfish population wreaking havoc in the Atlantic Ocean.

For those not in the know, lionfish are an ecological nightmare, an invasive species that's devastating native marine life. Mike, with the insightful mind of a seasoned scientist and the drive of a passionate environmentalist, saw a problem and engineered a solution. "I wanted to do my research on something that could have a physical impact on the world, and for me, what better way to do that than to actually build an innovative product that has a positive environmental impact," he eloquently stated.

While simultaneously conquering academia and saving the ocean, Mike has also been juggling the responsibilities of a seasoned entrepreneur. This 16-year-old isn't just hitting the books; he's running THREE companies: Next Era Innovations, Insta Grade AI, and Reflect Social. Talk about a packed schedule!

And if you thought graduation was just about receiving a diploma for Mike, you'd be wrong. During Carolina University’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3rd, where he was a guest speaker (naturally!), Mike unveiled his latest groundbreaking invention: the Reef Sweeper. This isn't your average underwater drone. The Reef Sweeper is a sophisticated vehicle capable of autonomously identifying, neutralizing, and collecting lionfish. Once its onboard capacity is reached, this underwater marvel returns to the surface, offloads its catch, and then autonomously dives back down to repeat the process. The brains behind the Reef Sweeper's operation? An AI system aptly named ALFREDD (Autonomous Lionfish Recognition, Elimination, and Debris Detection), also created by the one and only Mike Wimmer.

Mike's vision extends far beyond a single ROV. He's already collaborating with Atlantic Lionshare Ltd., a company dedicated to controlling the lionfish population "on a larger and ecologically significant scale," aiming to deploy his Reef Sweeper technology for maximum environmental impact.

So, what does a 16-year-old PhD holder and CEO of three companies do next? Well, according to Mike, it's time for a little R&R. With school officially in the rearview mirror and a newly acquired driver's license in hand, Mike plans to enjoy his summer vacation like any other teenager – albeit one with a significantly more impressive resume. His plans include cruising around in his Corvette (yes, you read that right) and possibly even embarking on a Disney Cruise. "I’m still 16, so I’m going to have time by the pool, do normal 16-year-old stuff," Mike chuckled, proving that even genius minds need a break for some good old-fashioned teenage fun.

Mike Wimmer's story is a powerful testament to the boundless potential that lies within young minds. He's not just breaking records; he's breaking down barriers and showing the world that age is no limit to innovation, entrepreneurship, and making a real difference. While the rest of us were navigating awkward school dances and trying to figure out our futures, Mike was already building his and, quite possibly, the future of marine conservation. This is one 16-year-old whose name you'll definitely want to remember. The world is his oyster – or perhaps, his lionfish-infested reef – and he's just getting started.