STUDENT PORTFOLIO
Hanlin Zhang
Exploring ideas. Engineering for human health.
I’m a high school student interested in biomedical engineering, research, and the questions that connect them.
01 / About
I’m drawn to understanding how engineering can create better tools for human health. My interests sit at the intersection of biology, design, and careful experimentation.
02 / Research
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH · PAPER
A Sex-Stratified Analysis of the Impact of ADHD and Comorbidities on College Adjustment
Under the supervision of Dr. Badri Vardarajan, I analyzed data from 495 first-year undergraduates to study ADHD and college adjustment. The study identified depression as a key pathway linking ADHD symptoms to poorer adjustment, with differences across sexes.
ALGOVERSE AI RESEARCH · NOV 2025–MAR 2026
Multimodal 3D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)–Transformer Segmentation of Longitudinal Glioblastoma Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Neurosurgical Mapping
In a four-student team, I handled the computational and experimental components, analyzing 2,487 scans from 91 patients. We found that segmentation performance varied by timepoint and tumor subregion, with limited sensitivity to image resolution. Accepted to the ACS Clinical Congress 2026 Scientific Forum and for a Quick Shot Presentation.
UCI × GATI BEAM · REVIEW PAPER · SEP 2024
Technical Challenges and Limitations of Next-Generation Sequencing
I wrote this literature review for UCI × GATI BEAM under the guidance of Dr. Kaite K. Kang. It examines sequencing accuracy, low-frequency mutation detection, structural variation, and cost barriers, comparing NGS with alternative technologies and exploring how complementary methods can improve genomic analysis.
Research Experiences
Summer Research Internship · Yale University
June 16–July 25, 2025
Interned full-time, Monday through Friday, at the Fan Lab in Yale’s Malone Engineering Center. Learned about sequencing tools and technologies used in the lab and presented what I learned.
MiRcore San Diego Computational Biology Camp · Scripps Institute
July 28–August 1, 2025
Learned to analyze genetic data using the UCSC Genome Browser, GEO, GEO2R, Gene Ontology, KEGG pathways, and STRING. For a group project on celiac disease, investigated associated genes and potential directions for treatment.
UCI BEAM Online Research & Innovation Program
July–August 2024
Attended lectures on robotic rehabilitation and micro-assembly, observed Dr. Akbari’s live experiment on how heart function loss affects brain activity, and explored startup fundamentals in ANTrepreneur sessions. With the Lotfipour Lab, studied nicotine exposure and fentanyl addiction in rats, presenting findings suggesting that adult nicotine pre-treatment may reduce susceptibility. Also authored the sequencing literature review featured above.
03 / Engineering
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING · PROTOTYPE
Arduino-Based Tremor Monitoring Prototype
I built an Arduino-based vibration sensor prototype inspired by Parkinson’s tremor monitoring, using green, yellow, and red LEDs to indicate movement intensity. I tuned the sampling window and thresholds, then tested the system with simulated hand movements; clinical performance has not been validated.
04 / Clubs
Board Games Club
After two years as a member, I took over leadership of the club to foster a welcoming community through board games, encouraging friendships, collaboration, strategic thinking, and friendly competition.
Math Team
I participated in Math Team throughout all four years of high school and was an essential member. We competed in California Math League, AreteLabs, and MathCounts, among many other competitions.
VEX Robotics · TVT Team 65696B
2022–2023
Attended weekly meetings to help construct and program the robot, competed as a member of TVT Team 65696B, and qualified for States in February 2023.
05 / Extracurriculars
UCSD Research Scholars Bioengineering · BE-BOAT
January–March 2026
Completed the BioImaging & 3D Printing course, developing practical, hands-on skills in biomedical imaging and 3D printing.
H2O for Life High School Fellowship
January 2026–Present
Meet monthly with an international cohort to learn from experts addressing the global water crisis. Independently lead a community fundraising project supporting clean water and sanitation for a partner school serving 421 students in Paryem, Uganda.
Team Member & Driver · VEX Robotics Team 7899X
2024
Drove the robot, helped with construction and programming, and coordinated with other teams. Won the Peninsula Tournament on February 17, 2024, qualified for Worlds through skills at the California State Championship on March 17, and reached the Technology Division quarterfinals at Worlds on April 25–27. Developed an on-the-spot launcher fix to keep the robot competing.
Team Member · School Varsity Tennis
2023–2025
Represented the school in varsity tennis matches.
06 / Volunteering
Tutor · Xinli Foundation Tutoring Program
2023–Present
Taught math to four students in a small-group setting and prepared age-appropriate lesson plans tailored to younger learners.
MiRcore MVP Volunteer Program
August 2025–Present
Continued volunteering after the camp, consistently supporting science advocacy and Microgrant fundraising efforts to fund novel research.
Nursery Volunteer · ShadeTree Organization
2024
Volunteered three hours each week at the nursery, weeding plants, removing old irrigation and pipes, and installing new irrigation.
Piano Performer · Woodbridge Senior Center
2023
Performed piano for seniors on multiple occasions throughout the year.
Chairman · Global Cancer Aid Charity Event
Planned and chaired the event, delivered the opening speech to raise awareness and encourage donations for children with cancer, and performed piano. Received a Certificate of Recognition from Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan.
Border Immersion · Tijuana, Mexico
May–June 2024
Traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, with a school group to support families and children affected by deportation and family separation. Donated toys, books, and other supplies, and helped a local organization package gifts for children.
Costa Rica Conservation Immersion
June 4–13, 2025
Joined a school group in Costa Rica to help protect leatherback sea turtles from poachers and conserve forests. At Refugio de Vida Silvestre Laguna Urpiano, learned about conservation, cleaned beaches, checked the hatchery for baby turtles, and patrolled nesting beaches during late-night shifts. At Selva Bananito Lodge, helped with reforestation, trail maintenance, camera and insect traps, and attended conservation lectures.
07 / Awards
USA BioOlympiad Initiative USA-China, Gold (top 15%)
2026
AMC 10 AIME qualifier & Distinction (top 5%): Score 124.5
2023
AMC 10 AIME qualifier & Distinction (top 5%): Score 105
2024
AMC 12 AIME qualifier: Score 106.5
2024
British Biology Olympiad Global Silver
2025
HiMCM Honorable Mention
2024
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge Successful in Triage
2025
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
2024
CM Level 10 Completed with State Honors
2025
VEX Robotics Worlds Qualifier, reached quarterfinals in the tech division
2024
08 / Personal Interests
Reading
I enjoy reading books across many genres, including mystery, science fiction, and history.
Go
I started playing Go when I was five years old and still enjoy playing in my free time.
Drawing
I used to draw when I was four or five years old, and I still enjoy art to this day.
