Florida prodigy shatters 306-year record to become world's youngest professor

Nathan Thomas, a Florida native with a history of early academic milestones, became the world's youngest professor when he started teaching engineering courses at Miami-Dade College at 18 years, 346 days old, breaking a 306-year record set by Colin Maclaurin in 1717. The Guinness World Records organization confirmed the feat in July 2024, noting that Thomas also eclipsed Alia Sabur's record for the youngest female professor by 16 days.

Thomas, now 21, earned an associate degree in mathematics at 14 and later completed bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering at Florida International University. He balances his teaching duties with law studies at the University of Miami, expecting to graduate in 2028. In interviews, he emphasized that age is irrelevant in the classroom and expressed satisfaction when students understand challenging material. His parents, both engineers, have supported his rapid educational trajectory since childhood.