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Claire Chan

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Winner

Bio

I am not just a student, but also a researcher, a writer, a teacher, a musician, and dreamer. The science, storytelling, and societies are all interconnected, and I aim to explore that connection. And that journey? It begins here. "You are having too much fun! What does what you are building even do?" - The World. "I don't know... and I don't care." - Ned S. Seeman, first DNA nanotechnologist. Profile picture: Stained cells, self-photographed on microscope.

Education

Darien High School

High School
2022 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
    • English Language and Literature, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school

    • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Research

    • Dream career goals:

      MD/PhD, Clinical Professor at University with a dose of creative writing on the side.

    • Staffer, National Championship Qualification Exam Grader

      Worked at International Academic Competitions. Staffed and moderated matches for middle school students at regional competitions, online and in-person. Graded National Political Science Bee and National US History Bee exams.
      2024 – Present2 years

    • Academic Competition Question Writer

      Worked at the Long Island Quiz Bowl Alliance. My questions have appeared on local TV stations and across the country at both the high school and middle school level.
      2024 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Tennis

    Club
    2017 – Present9 years

    Research

    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

      CSEF, CT HSSHS, CT-STEM, U.S. Office of Naval Research — Received recognition from the University of Connecticut and the U.S. Navy; finished 1st and 2nd at two state-level STEM fairs.
      2025 – Present

    • Data Science

      New York University — 1 of 10 selected internationally as a Winston Data Scholar ($5,500 merit scholarship awarded). Completed New York University's Winston Data Scholar Data Science Course. Built a machine learning model predicting maternal health risks.
      2025 – 2025

    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

      Brown University — Pre-College CRE Research Student. Conducted research on how heart attacks affect postpartum mothers under a professor. Wrote meta-analysis paper, presented at CRE Symposium.
      2024 – 2024

    • Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

      Darien High School, Authentic Science Research Program — ASR Student Researcher conducting research on how fetal microchimeric cells affect maternal health. 2025 CT-STEM Fair Winner (Health and Biomedical).
      2023 – Present

    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

      New York University — 1 of 34 GSTEM student interns selected internationally. Conducted research on improving DNA technologies for practical applications, submitting for publication.
      2025 – Present

    Arts

    • Darien High School Chamber Orchestra, Pop Orchestra, Tri-M Music Honor Society

      Music
      Tri-M Music Honor Society VP, Departmental Liaison, Assistant Concertmaster, Peer Mentor
      2016 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Spark Adventure — English and Mythology Teacher. Coached and trained students for regional academic competitions.
      2023 – 2025

    • Volunteering

      Polyphony Lit — 1 of 20 Youth Poetry-on-Demand Poets selected internationally, writing "street poetry" commissions raising $3,500 for literary accessibility. I also managed PR and outreach.
      2025 – Present

    • Volunteering

      Laminin — Volunteer
      2025 – Present

    • Volunteering

      Darien Book Aid Plan, Inc — Packed and shipped donated books across the world, including to Uganda and Cambodia, where there is limited access to books.
      2022 – 2024

    • Volunteering

      Building 1 Community — Youth Group Leader of 200+ volunteers around Tri-State, ELL Library Manager, ESL Teacher
      2022 – 2025

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering