Hello! I'm David He, a high school senior from Westview High School, San Diego California. I'm passionate about molecular biology, synthetic biology, and bioengineering.

Over the years, I've completed multiple research projects focusing on biomedical and environmental engineering, and expanding life's capabilities. Beginning with tissue laser ablation, I've expanded to plastic degradation with engineered biofilms, phage evolution, drug discovery, and study of bacterial antibiotic resistance. 

I find life's existence fascinating. How do particulates of matter synchronize into an enzymatic pathway; when do reactions complexify enough to become life? Although NASA defines life as "a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution", I've never really found this definition satisfactory. Observing bacterial colonies take root in the outline of a petri dish, or watching bacteria adapt to antibiotic dosages hundreds of times above their natural tolerance, I feel that life's essence is transformation, and something that can hardly be defined. My own philosophy is life-inspired: a drive to seek purpose, to break constraints, to refuse to sit still, and to understand the unknown. 

For my research and community efforts, I've been awarded numerous accolades up to the international level. I'm planning to attend Stanford University in the Fall of 2026, where I hope to continue studying the building blocks of life, and revolutionize modern biotechnology.