Episode 38: Jibri Lewis

Jibri Lewis’ grandmother perfected a pastry on the island of Anguilla some decades ago. That pastry is known as a cheese patty by legions of local fans. Jibri’s dad took the cheese patty to new levels and has turned it into one of the most popular on the go meals on the island. Jibri, cannot make the cheese patty.

Though his culinary skills have much to be desired as far as the cheese patty is concerned, he makes up for it with sheer scientific genius. Jibri is very modest and quite simply one of the nicest people you will ever meet, therefore he will disapprove of my next statement. Jibri is BRILLIANT!

Few people can testify that their entry into a high school science fair was the base for a mechanism that has the potential to change the way the world produces electricity. A science fair that he did not win by the way.

Jibri’s proposal to improve an already existing wave turbine was eventually examined by professors at MIT. MIT was hungry to learn more about Jibri’s research and about Jibri himself. After some negotiation, Jibri traded his research with MIT for the opportunity to attend and earn both his bachelors and master’s degrees free of cost. In addition, the consummate island boy was not fond of Boston’s brutal winters. He further persuaded the institution to allow him to take classes from Anguilla and fly to Boston every few months for examinations. Jibri was attending University from his living room, long before Covid 19 ever thought of it.

Today, additions have been made to Jibri’s research and new wave turbines that house the essence of Jibri’s initial brilliant idea are being tested in several countries including Australia and Puerto Rico.

An idea sparked by a science fair led Jibri to become one of the world’s most celebrated young physicists. But there is so much more to tell.

This is the story… thus far… of Jibri Lewis.