Skip Navigation
Search
Simons STEM Scholars Program
HomeSimons Scholar ProfileSimons Scholars Profile - Daniel Zheng

DanielZheng

Image of Daniel Zheng

Cohort 2

Hometown: Ridgewood, NY

Major: Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Year: Sophomore

High School: Bard High School Early College Queens

Biography:

In Daniel's time at Stony Brook, they plan on studying various mathematical applications in STEM-related fields. Primarily focusing on mathematical applications in biology (Protein modeling) as well as interests in analyzing big data in the world of Quantitative Finance. In Daniel's free time, they like to cook different cuisines with healthier recipes, playing basketball and going to the gym at the rec center. He is an avid sports fan watching soccer (Any team but Real Madrid), NBA (Any team but the Celtics) , and NFL (fantasy team purposes).  He likes listening to music (Jay Chou, Le Sserafim, and Laufey were his top 3 on his Spotify wrapped, but appreciate for more music taste). Before becoming a Simons STEM Scholar, Daniel participated in Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), where he was exposed to many STEM opportunities and exposure that cements his current aspiration in contributing to the STEM community.

Leading the Future:

"I envision myself as someone who is able to be a jack-of-all-trades, who is able to help and assist the STEM Community with the infinite amount of knowledge gained throughout my life. I want to bring my charismatic attitude and passion for advancements in modern knowledge to contribute greatly in the world dominated with AI and more need of STEM researchers and enthusiasts around the world. To be leading the future of STEM makes me more motivated to be versatile, but also being able to use my strengths and weaknesses to further the importance of STEM in human progression."

Why did you become a Simons STEM Scholar?:

"I chose to be a Simons STEM Scholars because it is an wonderful program that can fully maximize my four-years college experience. The opportunities by the program gives me a huge insight and motivation in understanding what it takes to be a researcher."

What would you say to someone who is applying?:

"The Simons STEM Scholars Program does not need a world of 4.0 GPA leading the industry. What the Simons STEM Scholars Program wants is someone who has a heart of wanting to make a difference in this world, someone who has a mission to let everyone know who they are, someone who is not afraid of any setbacks, and lastly, someone who is willing to be disciplined in STEM and be proud of setting an example for the future scholars attending this program."

Research Experiences:

Current/Upcoming - Research Assistant at Stony Brook University under Dr. Yuefan Deng (project TBD) Summer 2025 - CERN IdeaSquare at Geneva, Switzerland under Dr. Pablo Garcia-Tello, Laura Wirtavuori, and Dr. Alix Dehayem on "Creative Systems Thinking for a Colony Beyond Earth" Spring 2025 - Attended Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM (ERN) at Atlanta, Georgia.