01 / Neural Communication
How do billions of individual neurons coordinate to produce something as complex as human thought and behavior?
// HELLO
Hi, my name is Andrew Shin.
I’m a neuroscience researcher, math nerd, coder, community builder, varsity tennis player, amateur beatmaker, aspiring juggler, and proud dog dad.
I spend most of my time exploring how brains work, solving math problems, and building projects that bring people together. Outside of that, you’ll probably find me on a tennis court, making music, or hanging out with my dog.
[01] RESEARCH
Brain organoids, neural activity, computational biology.
[02] PROJECTS
NeuroBridge, financial literacy, tutoring, and community impact.
[03] MATH
Problem solving, game theory, and patterns everywhere.
[04] PLAY
Tennis, music, juggling, and life outside the lab.
SUNNYVALE, CA--:--:-- PST
Out for a runChecking weather…—°F
// [01]
Research
Brain organoids, neural activity, computational biology.
The brain is probably the most complicated thing I'll ever try to understand, which is exactly why I find it so fascinating. I'm especially interested in how billions of neurons manage to work together, what happens when they don't, and how we can use computation to make sense of it all.
Big Questions I'm Exploring
02 / Brain Disorders
What happens when neural networks stop communicating the way they're supposed to, and how can we detect those changes?
03 / Computational Neuroscience
Can mathematics and computer science reveal patterns in the brain that we might otherwise miss?
04 / Biological Aging
Can patterns in our genes tell us how quickly our bodies are aging, beyond the number of birthdays we've had?
// FEATURED
A closer look at AGEOptimizer, my independent research project exploring how computational optimization can improve biological age prediction using gene expression data. The poster walks through my methodology, experiments, and findings.
AGEOptimizer2025 SYNOPSYS POSTER — PDF// RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Yale School of Medicine — Vaccarino Lab Jun 2026 – Present
Research Intern
- > Sole high school student among four research interns studying human neurodevelopment and neural activity using stem cell-derived brain organoid models (Mentor: Riya Rauttan).
- > Analyzed multielectrode array (MEA) recordings from Tourette syndrome-derived organoids — neural waveforms, functional connectivity, population dynamics, and excitatory–inhibitory characteristics.
- > Continuing remote data analysis; developing research for the 2027 Regeneron Science Talent Search.
UC Santa Cruz — Sharf Lab Jun 2025 – Present
Research Intern
- > Investigate effects of dopaminergic toxicity on human midbrain organoids using spatiotemporal analysis of neural activity and network connectivity (Mentor: Aidan Morson).
- > Developed Python pipelines for high-density MEA analysis: spike/burst dynamics, STTC functional connectivity, graph analysis, and information-theoretic measures.
- > Presented Parkinson's disease network research at INBC 2026 and QX-Bio 2026.
Computational Biology & AI Research
Feb 2024 – PresentIndependent Researcher
- > Developed AGEOptimizer, a multi-technique optimization framework for transcriptomic age prediction across human tissues.
- > Built CNN (VGGNet) image classifiers, codon-pattern neural networks, and ML models for clinical classification.
- > Columbia Junior Science Journal Semifinalist (2025); published in NHSJS Reports (2026).
// PUBLICATIONS
Andrew S. · NHSJS Reports
// AWARDS
- > Grand Prize Alternate, Biological Sciences; qualified for CSEF (2026)
- > 4th Place, Senior Division (2026)
- > 2nd Award, Biological Science & Engineering (2025)
Columbia Junior Science Journal
- > Semifinalist (2025)
- > Silver Medal, Round 2; High Honor Roll, Round 1 (2026)
// SKILLS
Technical
- > Python, Java, Mathematica
- > PyTorch, Keras, Hugging Face Transformers, Neural Networks
- > Google Colab, Anaconda, LaTeX (Overleaf)
// PAPERS & POSTERS
// [02]
Projects
NeuroBridge, financial literacy, tutoring, and community impact.
I love turning random ideas into things that actually exist, especially when I get to build them with other people. Some start as conversations with friends, others as problems I wish someone would do something about. Not every idea works out, but I've learned that getting people together and giving something a shot is usually worth it.
// FEATURED
Somehow, neuroscience, psychology, ethics, and my love for working with neurodivergent children all found their way into NeuroBridge. I started with plenty of ideas and enthusiasm, but quickly learned that good intentions only get you so far. Building something meaningful requires patience, careful planning, and a lot of work that nobody really sees.
The NeuroBridge Project — where different minds connectNEUROBRIDGECA.ORG// NEURODIVERSITY & COMMUNITY
The NeuroBridge Project Nov 2025 – Present
Founder & President
- > Founded an intergenerational initiative connecting neurodivergent youth with older adults through sensory-friendly activities.
- > Lead a six-member team; built the curriculum and ran a pilot with 15+ participants.
- > Advisory panel spans City of San José PRNS, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Yale Child Study Center, and more.
ACEing Autism Sep 2025 – Present
Adaptive Tennis Coach
- > Coach neurodivergent children with individualized tennis instruction.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church — Special Ed Ministry
Aug 2026 – Present1:1 Buddy Volunteer
- > One-on-one companionship for children and young adults with disabilities.
Northern California Milal Mission
Jun 2026 – PresentVolunteer
- > Support programs for youth with developmental disabilities and their families.
World Tutors Nov 2023 – Present
Regional Leader
- > 2.5+ years tutoring math for an underserved neurodivergent student.
- > Cross-cultural tutoring in Spanish (Mexico) and French (Francophone students learning English).
// FINANCIAL LITERACY
Financial Freedom Project
Jun 2025 – PresentCo-Founder & Curriculum Developer
- > Eight-week after-school program reaching five under-resourced schools.
Harker Investing & Personal Finance Club Aug 2024 – Present
Vice President
- > Co-produce The Harker Bull, a biweekly markets newsletter.
- > Organize speakers and competitions, including the Wharton Investment Competition.
// LEADERSHIP
Harker Student Council May 2024 – Present
Class Rep & Student Events Head
- > Elected representative three years running; lead school-wide socials, talent shows, and spirit events.
Harker Link Crew
May 2025 – PresentLeader
- > Mentor incoming students through orientation and peer guidance.
Korean American Society Association May 2025 – Present
Co-Founder
- > Grew to 20–30 members; Korean Appreciation Week, game nights, rice-cake fundraiser.
President's Volunteer Service Award
- > Gold Award (2024)
// [03]
Math
Problem solving, game theory, and patterns everywhere.
I have a habit of getting way too invested in problems that have absolutely no practical relevance to my life. There's something ridiculously satisfying about wrestling with a problem for hours and finally finding that one idea that makes everything click. And sometimes, the problems I can't solve are even more interesting.
Things I've fallen down rabbit holes about
01 / Graph Theory
How much can you learn about a system just by looking at what's connected to what?
02 / Game Theory
Why do perfectly rational people sometimes make decisions that leave everyone worse off?
03 / Information Theory
Can you measure how much information is hidden in something that looks completely random?
04 / Mathematical Puzzles
What makes a problem so good that you actually enjoy being stuck on it?
// COMPETITIONS
- > USAMO Qualifier (2026)
- > 4× AIME Qualifier (2022–2025)
- > AMC 10 Distinguished Honor Roll, Top 1% (2024)
- > AMC 12 Top 2.5% (2025)
- > Gold Award (2026)
- > Team 1st Place, Overall 2nd Place (2026)
- > 2× Distinguished Honor Roll (2025)
- > General Round 7th Place (2023)
- > 2× Distinguished HM (2024)
- > Overall 27th Place (2024)
// MATH COMMUNITY
Harker Math Club
Aug 2023 – Present- > Prep for BMT, HMMT, and SMT; delivered a lecture on the Prisoner's Dilemma and game theory.
- > Write competition problems; proctor Harker Math Invitational and Santa Clara MATHCOUNTS.
- > Build math games and puzzle hunts for the Lower School Initiative.
Cupertino Middle School
Aug 2023 – Aug 2024Teaching Assistant
- > Taught, graded, and wrote practice competitions.
- > Grader and proctor for Central Santa Clara MATHCOUNTS.
- > Problem writer for the Mustang Math Tournament (250+ students).
// [04]
Play
Tennis, music, juggling, and life outside the lab.
When I'm not staring at a screen, there's a good chance I'm chasing a tennis ball. I also make music, attempt to juggle, and spend an unreasonable amount of time with my dog. I'm not particularly good at sitting around doing nothing, although my dog has been trying to teach me.
// FEATURED ORIGINAL MUSIC
[01] hip-hop (jerk/plug)
[02] pop-rnb (electronic, 2000s influence)
[03] bossa nova
// OFF THE CLOCK
Harker Varsity Tennis & Eagle Fustar Tennis
Aug 2024 – Present- > Singles and doubles tournaments (6+ UTR); 10+ hours of training weekly.
- > Silicon Valley Tennis Classic Champions (Mar 2026)
- > CCS 2026 Finalist (Team)
- > CIF 2026 Finalist (Team)
Music Production & Independent Artist
Aug 2023 – Present- > Compose and produce original lo-fi, hip-hop, and shoegaze tracks on Spotify and YouTube.
Juggling
current_record: 22 catches (work in progress)
- > Aspiring juggler — still dropping a few balls.
Dog Dad
- > Proud owner of the best dog around.
// FEATURED INTERVIEW
I joined my buddy Pascal Qin for an episode of AMP It Up, a video series from Harker Aquila, our school's student-run journalism publication. We explored the history of rap, its cultural roots, and how hip-hop has shaped music and popular culture.
Harker AquilaWATCH ON YOUTUBE