Activities

Data Science Club – Founder & President

High School

I founded and currently serve as President of my high school’s Data Science Club, which has engaged over 100 students in exploring data science, AI, and machine learning. In this leadership role, I organize weekly meetings, technical sessions, hands-on projects, and invite speakers from academia and industry, leveraging the unique opportunities of being in the Bay Area.

I also manage club operations, including appointing officers, coordinating meetings, arranging showcases at the school club fair, organizing snacks, and managing the budget. Our club is planning to organize a hackathon and participate in Kaggle competitions. Our club collaborates with the school’s Computer Science Club to provide broader learning experiences.

club benefits students by giving them practical skills, exposure to real-world applications, and collaborative learning opportunities. It also helps me and my officers develop leadership, organizational, mentorship, and project management skills while fostering a supportive, engaging community for aspiring data scientists.

Competitive Science Club – Co-President

High School

I serve as Co-President of my high school’s Competitive Science Club, a leadership role where I help organize weekly meetings, appoint officers, coordinate club operations, manage the budget, arrange snacks, and showcase the club at school events. The club engages students in various science competitions, including Science Bowl, science bees, tournaments, and other contests.

This club provides students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while fostering a passion for science. It also allows me and my officers to build leadership, organizational, and mentorship abilities, ensuring a structured and supportive environment where students can thrive and achieve their potential.

Computer Science Club – Officer

High School

I serve as an officer in my high school’s Computer Science Club, a leadership role where I help organize weekly meetings, coordinate activities, manage logistics, and assist with club events. While the club covers a range of programming and technology topics, my primary focus is on AI and machine learning, where I lead hands-on projects, workshops, and discussions to help students explore and apply these concepts.

This role allows students to develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, while giving me and fellow officers valuable experience in leadership, organization, and mentorship. It fosters a collaborative environment where students can deepen their knowledge of computer science and apply it to real-world projects.

Chess Club – Officer

High School

I serve as an officer in my high school’s Chess Club, helping organize weekly meetings, coordinate events, manage logistics, and support club activities. The club provides students with opportunities to develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and sportsmanship through practice sessions, tournaments, and collaborative games.

As a former National Chess Champion of South Korea who represented the country in the Under-8 category at the 2017 Asian Games, I bring competitive experience and a deep understanding of chess to mentor and guide club members. This role allows me and fellow officers to develop leadership, organizational, and mentorship skills while fostering a supportive and engaging environment for students to grow in chess.

Fibrosis Foundation – Teen Advocacy Day 2025

CFF Teen Advocacy Day 2025: I was nominated as a teen representative for the Northern California Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at Teen Advocacy Day 2025. This two-day national event brought together teens from across the country to share stories and advocate for critical issues impacting the CF community. I participated in virtual training and engaged in advocacy meetings, serving as a voice for my chapter and contributing to efforts that raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1955 dedicated to improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis through research, drug development, advocacy, and care. It funds scientific breakthroughs, supports specialized care centers, and empowers the CF community by raising awareness and advancing policies to help those living with the disease.Give link or pic

Teen Advocacy Day meeting talking points:
• Introduced CF Foundation and teen advocates; shared personal connections to CF.
• Explained CF as a progressive genetic disease with no cure; ~40,000 people in the U.S. live with it.
• Noted major progress in life expectancy, but barriers remain for those without access to new therapies.
• Emphasized Medicaid’s critical role: covers 50% of children and ⅓ of adults with CF.
• Highlighted concerns about proposed Medicaid changes (work reporting requirements, funding restrictions) that could jeopardize care.
• Main ask: Urge Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid to protect the health and lives of people with CF.

CFF Magazine Article (May 2025)

Since May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, I feel honored that my article was published in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation magazine in May 2025 (accessible here). In it, I introduced myself as someone living with CF, shared my life with the disease, and aimed to promote advocacy, raise awareness, and support fundraising for the CF community.

Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI) Documentary Interview

I was recently interviewed and filmed by the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI) for a new film project focused on sharing personal stories of living with CF. During the interview, I spoke about my journey of receiving a CF diagnosis, the challenges of raising awareness among family, friends, and the importance of building connections with others of South Asian origin who are affected by this disease.

Coming from a South Asian background, I feel a strong responsibility to advocate for CF awareness in my community. A common misconception is that CF is solely a “Caucasian disease,” which often delays recognition and diagnosis in people of color. In my case, it wasn’t until my freshman year of high school in 2024 that I self-diagnosed based on my symptoms, later confirmed by genetic testing.

Through this film and my advocacy, I hope to shed light on these overlooked realities, challenge existing myths, and encourage earlier diagnosis and better awareness across diverse communities. CFRI’s Executive Director and videographer came to record my story, and I am honored to be part of this effort to give CF a broader, more inclusive voice.

The Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI), founded in 1975 by a small group of CF families whose children were not expected to survive their teen years, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cystic fibrosis research, raising awareness, and supporting individuals and families affected by the disease. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization, CFRI provides innovative research funding, educational programs, advocacy, and psychosocial support, aiming to improve understanding of CF and promote better care and resources for all communities.

Data Science Club – Founder & President

Competitive Science Club – Co-President

Computer Science Club – Officer

Chess Club – Officer

Fibrosis Foundation – Teen Advocacy Day 2025

CFF Magazine Article (May 2025)

Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI) Documentary Interview

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