// Arduino Science Fair Project

Building on her momentum, Hannah chose a challenging biology-focused project: measuring the bioluminescent light output of Pyrocystis fusiformis dinoflagellates under varying environmental stressors using an Arduino-controlled sensor array.

Then, in January, the crunch began. Juggling high school coursework, she spent late nights in our home lab soldering light sensors, fine-tuning calibration curves in the Arduino IDE, and running serial telemetry logs to verify lux readings.

Chosen as one of just 20 students from over 1,000 applicants, Hannah was immersed in the world of professional biomedical research how_to_reg. In the Liu Lab, under Principal Investigator Dr. Ying Liu, M.D., Ph.D., she was directly mentored by Research Specialist Dr. Haipeng Xue and worked alongside Postdoctoral Associate Haiwei Zhang, gaining proficiency in advanced molecular cloning techniques lab_profile. Her task was to help develop a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) to research NGLY1 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder genetics.

Hannah's journey is defined by more than just her accolades. The true transformation is evident in her mindset psychology. In her senior year, as a Chemistry TA, she was tasked with inventorying old microscopes for the school's STEM Coordinator, who had helped her submit her 1st place project. Learning the school was replacing the old equipment, and driven by a desire to "expand her knowledge in biology," Hannah asked for permission to have one.

She chose a superior but broken model and resourcefully repaired it using parts from another microscope build. That microscope, now her personal research tool for future projects, is a perfect symbol of her journey: seeing potential where others see obsolete equipment and having the initiative to create the tools she needs insights.

Today, ranked 12th out of 842 students, Hannah continues to embody the "Learn with me, as I learn" spirit school. With Hannah busy managing her demanding dual enrollment classes and college applications, I stepped in to document her award-winning STEM Fair project, publishing the full story on Arduino Project Hub on her behalf. I then shared the project on my LinkedIn account public.

In a moment that was both validating and deeply encouraging for the team, the official Arduino Education team in Italy discovered that LinkedIn post and reposted it to their own global network—a significant nod of support from the creators of the platform from which she launched her journey thumb_up.

From a simple sensor to an award-winning research tool, Hannah's story is a powerful reminder that with curiosity and persistence, a journey of self-taught ingenuity can lead to extraordinary places explore. And that journey is far from over. She is currently preparing her advanced research from the FIU internship for entry into the 2025-2026 regional STEM fair pending, with her sights set on the state-level SSEF and the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) emoji_events.

With a stellar academic record—including a 3.9 unweighted GPA and 14 AP/Dual Enrollment courses—Hannah is actively pursuing admission to the top honors colleges in Florida, where she plans to major in biology and continue her research on rare genetic disorders. She hopes to inspire other young women to explore the possibilities of STEM, proving that with passion, grit, and the right support, anything is possible.