Student Spotlight - Aristotle Ronyak

Pathway: Healthcare

Aristotle Ronyak started his college career early at Everett Community College through the special underage admissions process, graduating high school at age 14. Interested in becoming a doctor, he is preparing to transfer from EvCC to a four-year university to get a degree in biomedical engineering. He is a member of national honor society Phi Theta Kappa, Teen Innovators and Biomedical Engineering Society, and he has spoken to Congress in support of the Autism Cares Act. “Don't be afraid to push yourself,” says Ronyak. “I did and was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish.”

Why did you choose EvCC? 

I chose EvCC because of its affiliation with the University of Washington and its pre-med studies.

What are you studying at EvCC? 

I am following the pre-medical transfer program map.

Why do you want to become an oncologist?

I have always been interested in T cells, stem cells, and cancer cells. I feel studying oncology will be the best use of my talent to find treatment, early detection, and cures for cancer.

What is it like to be studying in college while in high school?

It wasn't too bad, because my high school classes were easy. My college classes and that workload was what was challenging.

What is your favorite college assignment so far?

My favorite assignment is the stem cell research assignment for my stem class.

What are you working on outside of classes? 

I work on researching how to split bad DNA out of a cancer cell, "the CRISPR method."

What advice would you give to other neurodivergent students?

I would say "choose an environment of how you can learn at your own pace, work with a study skills teacher to find the best way to study more complicated subjects, and advocate for yourself and learn what options for equal learning are available to yourself."

What do you plan to do after EvCC? 

I plan on going to UW, John Hopkins, or Tulane to study biomedical engineering then become a doctor.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

I would love people to know don't be afraid to push yourself. I did and was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish.

Editor’s note: The following was posted by Aristotle’s father, James Ronyak, on LinkedIn. 

As a parent of a neuro-divergent child, I would say to other parents; "Don't be afraid of the diagnosis of Autism". There are many pathways to assisting your child to great accomplishments. Autism has created a mind in my son that is more advanced and accomplished than I was in my first 30 years. I had to learn the diagnosis of Autism wasn't a limiter in his life. I needed to teach myself to ask the right questions of specialists on how he would learn and then what I could do for him to level his playing field. In 14 years, he has taught me a lot more than I could ever show or teach him, so I say that neuro-divergence is a gift and we are blessed to be part of his life and way of thinking.