Honor spells success for Northside science wizard

Johnny Fells, a graduate of Northside High School and Columbia University, has been selected to receive the 2016 BioGENEius Hall of Fame Award.

Fells, who graduated from Northside in 2009, currently works for Goldman Sachs in New York City. He majored in industrial engineering at Columbia.

Fells competed in science fairs throughout his career at Northside High School and won many awards, including first place at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair and the National Society of Black Engineers Pre-Collegiate Science Fair. He was a finalist at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Additionally, he received second place at the National Organization of the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Science Fair and was recognized as a finalist at the 2008 Intel ISEF. He was The Telegraph’s Golden Eagle chemistry award winner in 2009.

While the hall of fame selection was based on Fells’ achievements, it also recognized Fells’ continued commitment to young people — especially those in Middle Georgia.

He is working with Georgia Bio, the company that sponsored him for many of his high school competitions, to help more Georgia students have opportunities for science competitions. He still volunteers at science fairs in Houston County.

“This is something that I do outside of work. Science got me into Columbia, and Columbia got me to Goldman,” Fells said.

“I just want to show students that there are opportunities out there,” Fells said. “I am willing to help them in science, but I want them to know it is OK to use science for other opportunities — like I did. There are academic pursuits out there that you can do that you can leverage into anything you want to do.”

While Fells is pursuing opportunities to volunteer with science fairs in New York where he lives, he admits that his heart is with students back in Georgia.

“If it wasn’t for my hometown, I wouldn’t be here. That’s one of the reasons that I love Warner Robins because I wouldn’t be here today without the support I received there,” Fells said. “I always go by Northside and see my teachers and their students because I want them to know there are so many opportunities out there and nothing limits them — not their economic status, not their race.”

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Honor spells success for Northside science wizard."