“Bio and Brain Engineering”: Man Shows Drastic Appearance Transformation While Studying Engineering

• One gent shared striking before-and-after photos of himself, showing how he transformed from a fresh-faced first-year student to a balding, bearded man in his fifth year of engineering
• The dramatic contrast between the images sparked widespread reactions online, with many netizens blaming the demanding engineering course for his accelerated aging appearance
• Several commenters joked about his transformation, with some suggesting he should sue the university after graduation, while others refused to believe the photos showed the same person

A student's shocking physical transformation during his engineering studies has gone viral on social media, sparking debates about the stress levels associated with the demanding technical courses.

Content creator @joshuabingwa, who regularly posts personal content and videos of himself playing guitar, shared a comparison of two photos that left viewers stunned. The first image shows him as a fresh-faced teenager in his first year of engineering, sporting a neat haircut and youthful appearance.

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In stark contrast, the second photo reveals him in his fifth year of studies, now looking significantly older with noticeable balding and a grown beard. The dramatic transformation prompted questions about whether the rigorous demands of his bio and brain engineering computer science program contributed to his accelerated aging.

Watch the TikTok clip here.

Engineering student's drastic change

The physical changes observed in the student align with research on aging, which suggests that stress, environmental factors, and genetics all play significant roles in how quickly individuals age. Scientists have identified that cell damage contributes to the dysfunction that characterizes the aging body, with telomere shortening and DNA damage being key factors in premature aging.

Health expert, Jayshri Rangamsy spoke to Briefly News stating that:

"Intense study periods can trigger hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and trichotillomania, while poor lifestyle habits—such as inadequate sleep and an unbalanced diet—can worsen the effects. Chronic stress accelerates cellular aging by shortening telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes, which are linked to age-related diseases."

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"Managing stress through proper sleep, a nutritious diet, and relaxation techniques is crucial. Genetic factors also play a role, particularly variations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, along with genes regulating DNA repair and oxidative stress resistance. While genetics is a key influence, stress, hormonal changes, and lifestyle choices also significantly impact hair loss and the aging process."

Social media reacts to transformation

The content creator's dramatic change prompted numerous reactions, with many commenters expressing shock and attributing his appearance change to the stress of his engineering program.

@MelusiM. clarified a potential misunderstanding:

"Plot: 5th Year does not mean five years into varsity!!🫢"

@sloo✊🏾🍉 made a pop culture reference:

"It's like that one bro in Interstellar that had to stay on the ship 💔"

@Userr0123456789ten noted with humor:

"I like how he said 5th year, and not final year. The journey continues 😂😂😂"

@BraBene🐐 joked:

"Yeah bro is going into retirement after just five years 😭"

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@Molebogeng🧚🏽‍♀️ observed:

"The hair started growing in the opposite direction too😭"

@Mashego🤍 suggested:

"You better sue the University after graduation 😔"

@Unknown￶￶ offered an alternative explanation:

"Relax guys, it's his older brother 😭"

@Jınopoı expressed skepticism:

"That doesn't look like Ai help💀💀💀"

@Jaykalvin creatively commented:

"Hair parted ways where the thinking happens 😭"

@Rameez refused to accept the transformation:

"That must be your father 😅 🤣 I refuse to believe this is you..."

Other student stories

• Briefly News reported on a student who shared an affordable way to smell good by using Robertson's food colouring in different flavours, impressing many with the budget-friendly perfume alternative.
• A student gave viewers a glimpse into his life at residence as he showed off his grocery haul for less than R1,000 in a viral TikTok video.
• A video posted by content creator @devardo.montaque showed an elaborate prank where students caused their panicked teacher to flee the classroom.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News