Jenna's Academic and Professional Experience
Introduction
I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student at UCSB, double majoring in Physics and Statistics and Data Science. I'm set to graduate in June 2025. My academic journey includes extensive coursework in Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Physics, and Data Science Principles. I’ve worked as a Research Assistant at Harvard and UCSB, focusing on climate data analysis and earthquake modeling. Additionally, I’ve served as a Teacher’s Assistant in UCSB’s Physics Department, reinforcing my passion for education and research. My current research interest is BME, specifically in drug delivery and single-cell RNAseq.
Dulwich College Beijing
2011- 2020 IB Diploma
I attended Dulwich College Beijing from 2012 to 2020, where I experienced a rich and diverse educational environment. The school provided a supportive community and high academic standards, which helped shape my academic and personal growth. During my time there, I pursued the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, where I took Higher Level (HL) courses in Math, Physics, and Economics, alongside Standard Level (SL) courses in Art, English, and Spanish. These subjects provided me with a well-rounded education, allowing me to explore both my analytical and creative interests. I earned a total of 39 points in the IB, an achievement I’m proud of, as it reflects my hard work and dedication throughout those years.
High School
University of California Santa Barbara
Bachelor of Art Physics
2021-2025
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with an expected graduation date in June 2025. My academic journey in physics has encompassed various subjects, including Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Physics, Electromagnetism, Relativity, and Classical Mechanics. These courses have strengthened my understanding of the fundamental principles governing the physical world, while also honing my skills in analytical thinking and problem-solving. Through this program, I’ve developed a deep interest in applying physics and data science to real-world problems, preparing me for advanced research and professional challenges in the future.
University of California Santa Barbara
Bachelor of Science Statistics
2021-2025
I am also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, expected to graduate in June 2025. Throughout this program, I have gained valuable knowledge in areas such as Time Series Analysis, Probability Theory, and Machine Learning, among other key statistical methodologies. These courses have equipped me with the tools to analyze complex datasets, draw meaningful insights, and apply advanced statistical models to solve real-world problems. This degree complements my background in physics, providing a robust foundation in both theory and practical data science applications.
Earth Science Department, UCSB
Research Assistant 2022-2023
Seismology Stress Drop Analysis
During my time as a Research Assistant in the Earth Science Department at UCSB from December 2022 to May 2023, I conducted in-depth research on the stress drop of earthquakes in California. My work focused on understanding and modeling the behavior of stress drop samples across different seismic activities. I utilized MATLAB and Python for data processing and analysis, which allowed me to identify correlations between various earthquake magnitudes and uncover patterns that could serve as potential predictors for future seismic events. This experience enhanced my data analysis skills and deepened my understanding of geophysical processes, while also sharpening my ability to work with large datasets and computational models.
Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
Water Level of Poyang Lake
Research Assistant 2024
As a Research Assistant at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, since June 2024, I have been investigating the impact of regional climate indicators on the water levels of Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake. This project employs advanced statistical techniques such as multiple linear regression, polynomial fitting, and time series modeling to analyze the complex relationship between climate variability and water levels. My research aims to contribute to a better understanding of climate dynamics and inform future water resource management strategies. In addition, I developed visualizations like bar charts and scatter plots to present the findings, enhancing the clarity and impact of the study.
Shanghai Ragged Cat Technology Co., Ltd.
Single Cell RNAseq Algorithms
Internship 2024 to present
During my internship at Startup Inc., I worked on developing algorithms for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Throughout the project, I gained hands-on experience with various methodologies such as Scanpy, Seurat, Squidpy, and SimbA to analyze scRNA-seq data effectively. My responsibilities included designing and implementing pipelines and function blocks on the platform, ensuring a streamlined and user-friendly experience for data analysis. This internship not only deepened my understanding of bioinformatics but also enhanced my ability to work with cutting-edge computational tools in the field of genomics.
Attendee
Harvard University, 2024
I had the opportunity to attend the International Workshop on Climate-Resilient Development in Southeast Asia at Harvard University on July 26-27. The event, hosted by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, brought together scholars and experts from diverse fields to discuss the dynamic challenges and solutions related to climate resilience in Southeast Asia. During the symposium, I gained valuable insights into how climate change impacts the region and the policies being developed to foster resilience. The interdisciplinary exchange of ideas helped me broaden my understanding of the role that science and policy play in addressing climate challenges, and it inspired me to think about ways in which my own work in data science and environmental research could contribute to these global issues.
Climate Resilience Symposium
Presenter
AGU Conference
Washington DC, 2o24
I had the privilege of participating in the AGU Fall Meeting 2024 in Washington, DC, where I presented my research on "A quantitative approach to compare historical and physical climate data: The past millennium of Poyang Lake drainage as an example." This conference, organized by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), is one of the largest and most significant gatherings for earth and space scientists. The event brought together leading experts from around the world to share their research on a wide range of topics, from climate change and environmental sustainability to geophysics and space science.
Trainee
Society of Biomolecular Imaging and Informatics
2024
I will be attending the upcoming Society of Biomolecular Imaging and Informatics (SBI²) 2024 Annual Conference from September 18-20 at The Westin Copley Place in Boston. This event is renowned for bringing together top researchers, scientists, and innovators in the field of bioimaging and informatics. The conference will feature keynote speakers, educational sessions, and numerous networking opportunities. I’m particularly excited to engage with the latest developments in high-content imaging and biological model analysis, as these align closely with my interest in single-cell RNA sequencing and computational biology.
One of my primary academic interests is bioinformatics, a field that merges biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze and interpret complex biological data. My fascination with bioinformatics stems from its potential to unlock deeper understanding within large datasets, particularly those generated by high-throughput techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing. In my work, I have explored various methodologies, including Scanpy, Seurat, and SimbA, which are critical for processing and visualizing single-cell data. I am especially interested in how bioinformatics can be used to study gene expression and how it relates to health and disease. By applying computational tools to biological data, bioinformatics has the power to advance personalized medicine, drive innovations in drug development, and reveal novel biological insights at an unprecedented scale.
BioInformatics
Druge Delivery
Another key area of interest is drug delivery, where I am particularly focused on developing targeted therapies. Drug delivery is an exciting field in which cutting-edge technologies such as nanoparticles and biocompatible materials are being used to ensure that drugs are delivered efficiently and precisely to the sites where they are needed most. I am particularly fascinated by the interplay between material science, biology, and pharmacology in designing drug delivery systems that can overcome barriers in the human body, such as the blood-brain barrier or the complex environment of tumors. I believe that advances in drug delivery will not only improve therapeutic outcomes but will also help minimize side effects, making treatments more effective and personalized.
