Yale Honors 9-Year-Old Natural Scientist, Bobbi Wilson

Early this year, Yale celebrated 9-year-old scientist Bobbi Wilson by entering a collection of 27 spotted lanternflies — an extremely invasive species harmful to trees and other plants — into the Peabody Museum of Natural History.

Photo Source: NBC News

The young scientist was collecting spotted lanternfly specimens when her neighbor became frightened and called the cops. On Oct. 22, neighbor Lawshe was home, and things in the predominately white neighborhood seemed "copacetic". But at first glance, assumed the worst and called the police department dispatcher instead.

The neighbor was unaware that Bobbi was in fact attempting to preserve the immediate environment as the lanternfly were known for having a negative impact on tree life and other vegetation. "There's a little Black woman walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees on Elizabeth and Florence," they told the dispatcher.

9-year-old Bobbi Wilson was doing her part to align with the state's Stomp it Out! campaign that urges New Jersey residents to assist in eradicating the spotted lanternfly infestation. She was taught about it at school and made her own version of an insect repellent seen on TikTok. Making her way from tree to tree, Bobbi would spray the bugs, pluck them from the tree and drop them into a plastic bottle.

Bobbi was still at it when an officer arrived, curious about what she was doing. Body camera footage shows Officer Kevin O'Neill approach the child before her mother, Monique Joseph, intervened. The officer assured Bobbi and her mother that she was not in trouble right before asking how many trees she saved.

"She was not only doing something amazing for our environment — she was doing something that made her feel like a hero," Monique Joseph, mother of Bobbi Wilson, stated. "What Mr. Gordon Lawshe did to my sister was extremely offensive, traumatic, and scarring towards my family. I can confidently assure you guys that she will never forget this."

The bodycam footage went viral, sparking an outpour of support for 9-year-old Bobbi Wilson and her love of science. She received the Caldwell Environmental Commission's Sustainability Award for her contributions to improving the neighborhood and surrounding town's environment. Science writers have also given Bobbi a collection of books and stickers to encourage her passion for learning.

Yale celebrating and curating this collection is unique to Bobbi Wilson and her story. This was an opportunity to not only counteract the harmful effects of racial profiling - but to encourage aspiring young black scientists. You are never too young to start making a positive impact on your environment.

Yale professor Opara helped to organize the recent ceremony and previously invited Bobbi and her sister to the campus to meet other successful Black female scientists.

"We wanted to show her bravery and how inspiring she is, and we just want to make sure she continues to feel honored and loved by the Yale community," Ijeoma Opara, an assistant professor at the school, said in a statement.