James Wang

Throughout high school, James engaged his interests in STEM through actively participating in extracurricular activities such as VEX Robotics, local science fairs, and science olympiads. Eventually, he found his passion in computer science and their mathematical implications. Last summer, James conducted research at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he worked on methods to improve image denoising using machine learning and computer vision models. Inspired by the potential artificial intelligence bears in interdisciplinary fields, James applied his research towards a machine learning model for early lung cancer detection using chest radiograph images (X-rays), which would make diagnosis more accessible and costeffective. For this research, James was named a 2017 Siemens Competition Semifinalist and 2018 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar. At Columbia, James strives to combine his studies in engineering and conduct meaningful research offered by the Egleston Scholars Program to create a lasting impact.

Outside of his STEM pursuits, James has strong interests in entrepreneurship, global studies, and community service. James was actively involved with his school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, serving as president for two years and competed at the regional, state, and national levels. Other activities James has been involved in include tutoring, Model United Nations, and serving as the chairman of his local youth council, which allowed him to immensely impact students in his community. James is also an Eagle Scout.

In his free time, James enjoys landscape photography, playing badminton, and spending time with family and friends in the outdoors.