Jack Zhao is a sophomore bioengineering major and international student from China studying prosthetics — and it’s all because of what he calls his “origin story.” Jack was paralyzed at 3 years old when he was attacked by a former security guard at his school and experienced a spinal cord injury. The doctors called his 2-year recovering “a miracle,” and while he has permanent nerve damage to his right side, he’s able to move and walk again — something he said 99% of paralysis patients won’t experience. Now at JMU, he’s motivated by his experience to find a cure for paralysis.