Journey
The is a page records where I am, what I’m doing and what I’m trying to do!
October 2024
📍 Cleveland, Ohio, USA 🇺🇸
🏫 Cleveland Clinic Foundation
I left my previous lab for reasons unexpected, and after I joined the Tabula Rasa Lab supervised by Dr. Andrew Dhawan at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Until recently, I’m diving into neuro-oncology, Glioblastoma and Meningioma specifically. My current work is a two-part act: first, MRI Image Segmentation where I attempt to teach a model to pinpoint the tumor region in MRI scans (medical term: Region of Interest or ROI); second, I predict tumors growth rates, which assist doctors in deciding whether surgery or chemotherapy is the best option.
The coolest part? I integrate my math computer science skills with actual clinical data that may someday may finds its way into real hospitals. Working in this lab, I discovered that clinical research is a completely different ballgame compared to traditional lab settings. There is no doubt that it will be a long journey, but my original aspiration of helping people will definitely keep me going—fingers I make it!
July 2024
📍 Cleveland, Ohio, USA 🇺🇸
🏫 Case Western Reserve University
I began pursuing my Master’s degree in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics at CWRU in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a massive transition for me– imagine diving into into biomedical research with a purely math and computer science background and zero knowledge of biology 😢. Fortunately, I met several amazing professors and colleagues who eased the transition, and I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and respect toward them!
I joined the CancerEvo Lab under the supervision of Dr. Christopher McFarland, marking the beginning of my journey into cancer research. My project focused on the cancer fitness landscape—a new and fascinating concept for me. It was the first time I saw how my background in mathematics could intersect with cancer research, opening up a whole new world where math could reveal patterns in cancer evolution. Despite my limited knowledge of the complex biomedical mechanisms driving cancer, I was captivated by the potential impact. The idea of contributing even a small piece to the fight against cancer was incredibly inspiring and kept me motivated to move forward!
June 2024
📍 Harbin, China 🇨🇳
🏫 Harbin University of Science and Technology
- 🎓 BS in Applied Mathematics
- 🎓 BE in Finance (Minor)
I completed my undergraduate studies at Harbin University of Science of Technology in Harbin, China, earning degrees in Applied Mathematics and Finance. Finally, I could escape from proving the mathematical theories. My thesis, titled “Research on Lithium Battery State of Health Estimation Methods based on Knowledge Distillation Framework”, proposed an effective machine-learning-based model for estimating the State of Health (SOH) of lithium batteries, along with a mathematical error analysis of the model. The program was fascinating, but it took me ages to finish - and I paid for it with my hair (I miss my hair so bad 😭).
Of course, finishing my studies only made me miss Harbin and the unique flavors of northern Chinese food even more! There’s a special charm to a city that embraces snow for nearly half the year. Nobody can resist the warmth of a hearty meal when it’s snowing outside for five months straight—it’s like nature’s way of saying, “More spice, please!” Now, I’m heading to Cleveland for my graduate studies, another snowy city. The biggest difference? Between, Harbin and Cleveland it might be harder to find authentic Chinese food in Cleveland. So, I’m planning to cook Chinese food myself when winter comes. If interested, feel free to join me – I’d love some company!
August 2023
📍 San Diego, California, USA 🇺🇸
🏫 University of California, San Diego
During my senior year of undergrad, I had the amazing opportunity to study at UCSD as a visiting student – this being my first time in the United States! I had an incredible experience at UCSD. Not only did I learn so much, but I also fell in love with the campus and San Diego itself. The city’s vibe, the beaches, and the vibrant culture made it truly unforgettable. To this day, San Diego holds the top spot as my favorite city!