I’m Eunseo Whaong, a Student Researcher Exploring Cognitive Science, AI & Human-Centered Technology.
〰️
I’m Eunseo Whaong, a Student Researcher Exploring Cognitive Science, AI & Human-Centered Technology. 〰️
Understanding People. Building Technology That Helps.
Welcome to my website. Hi, I’m Eunseo. I’m a senior at Bergen County Academies interested in Cognitive Science and AI. I’m especially curious about how people think, learn, and interact—and how technology can be used to better understand and support them.Through my research, projects, and community work, I enjoy turning that curiosity into practical tools that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Awards
Selected Programs & Research
Columbia University BrainSTORM — Selected 1 of 25 Nationwide; Alzheimer’s Research [2026–2027]NYU GSTEM — Selected 1 of 40 Nationwide; Data Privacy Research [2026]Columbia University Science Honors Program — Selected Participant [2026–2027]Wolfram Emerging Leaders Program — Computational Research Fellow; Wolfram Community Staff Pick [2025–2026]Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins — Selected Student Speaker, 2 Years; 1 of 170 Worldwide (2025), 1 of 165 Worldwide (2026) [2025, 2026]Columbia University ACComPLISHED Community Health Worker Program — Selected Participant; Community Health Project [2026]Columbia University SHAPE — 2-Year Participant; Data Science; Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence [2024, 2025]Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) — Research Intern, AI/ML for Energy Efficiency in 6G Networks [2025]
Research & STEM
New Jersey Academy of Science (NJAS), 1st Place, Psychology Division, NJ Delegate to AJAS National Conference [2026–2027]Bergen County Academies Research Expo, 2nd Place, Social Science Category [2026]American Computer Science League (ACSL) — 3-Time Finals Qualifier [2024, 2025, 2026]National Center for Women & Information Technology, Aspirations in Computing, NJ Affiliate, Honorable Mention [2026]Winston Data Scholarship in Computer Science, NYU GSTEM — $5,750 Merit-Based Scholarship, 1 of 9 Recipients [2026]
Writing & Academic
Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest — Outstanding Writing Content Prize | Smart Cities & Digital Asset Governance [2026]Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — Gold Key, Critical Essay | The Mind’s Mirror: Objectivity, Perception & Cognitive Bias [2026] Silver Keys & 3 Honorable Mentions | Dramatic Script, Journalism, Science Fiction & Fantasy [2025, 2026]National History Day — New Jersey State Qualifier, Team Website | Wartime Morphine & Its Aftermath [2026]John Locke Institute Essay Competition — Commendation | Public Education & Private Food Markets [2024]Northeastern University London Essay Competition — Highly Commended | AI’s Environmental Costs & Sustainable Energy [2024]IYIP Essay Contest — 2nd Place | Integrating AI into STEM Curricula [2025]
Leadership & Service Honors
The Congressional Award — Gold Medal [2025]The Congressional Award — Selected as 1 of 20 Ambassadors Nationwide [2026–2027]President’s Volunteer Service Award — Gold Award, 3 Years [2022, 2023, 2024]
Arts & Creative
GENIUS Olympiad — International Finalist, Visual Arts/Woodworking [2026]Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — Silver Key, Visual Arts/Woodworking [2026]Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest — Notable Award, Visual Arts [2026]
Award-Winning Behavioral Science Research
Energy Drinks: The 21st Century Gateway Drug
First Place, NJAS Psychology Division | Second Place, BCA Research Expo | 2026
This behavioral science research analyzed the nationally representative Monitoring the Future 2024 dataset (N = 17,351) to investigate whether daily energy drink consumption functions as a predictive behavioral marker for adolescent substance-use tendencies.Using chi-square statistical testing and multivariate logistic regression modeling, the study identified significant associations between habitual high-caffeine intake and increased likelihood of alcohol, marijuana, stimulant, hallucinogen, and cocaine use.The findings suggest that excessive caffeine consumption during adolescence may operate as an early behavioral risk indicator within broader addiction-vulnerability pathways.
New York University GSTEM Summer Research Program
Winston Data Scholar | Research Mentee
Investigating the Privacy of Mobile Transit Apps Using a Proxy | June–August 2026
Awards & Recognition
Winston Data Scholarship
Awarded a $5,750 competitive merit scholarship, selected as one of 9 scholarship recipients from a cohort of 40 students.Research Summary
Conducted faculty-mentored research under Professor Louise Barkhuus in NYU's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, investigating the privacy practices of six U.S. public transit mobile applications. Analyzed privacy policies and network traffic to compare disclosed data practices with observed data transmissions, identifying concerns related to data minimization, sensitive information transmission, and third-party transparency.Final Presentation
Presented the completed research at the NYU GSTEM Final Research Symposium, discussing the study's methodology, findings, limitations, and implications for improving transparency and privacy in public transit applications.
CaffiTeen
Founder, President & Developer | 2025–Present
Official Website: caffiteenyouth.org
Web App: caffiteen.orgCaffiTeen is a youth-led nonprofit initiative and educational web app designed to help teenagers better understand caffeine consumption and develop healthier habits.
Founded and registered CaffiTeen, Inc. (Entity ID: 0451365215), a New Jersey nonprofit organization focused on teen caffeine awareness and education.Developed the CaffiTeen web app, which helps teens track caffeine intake through caffeine-level calculations, half-life tracking, daily intake guidance, and visualized data. The platform also provides science-based information, self-assessment tools, and healthier lifestyle alternatives.Expanded CaffiTeen through 15 health-tech workshops and outreach across 50+ public libraries, distributing educational posters, coasters, and library displays to promote teen caffeine awareness.
Programs & Recognition
Congressional App Challenge — NJ-05 [2025] — Invited to present CaffiTeen at the district App Challenge Fair.Presidential AI Challenge [2026] — Submitted CaffiTeen as a teen health technology project.Technovation Girls [2026] — Presented CaffiTeen as a social-impact technology project.
Project Development
Technology: Bubble.io · Chart.jsFocus: Teen Health · Caffeine Education · Behavioral Science · UI/UXDeliverables: Functional web app · 3-minute demo video · 20-slide presentation · Trifold presentation boardCommunity Impact: Promotes greater awareness of caffeine consumption and healthier decision-making among teenagers.
— Palisades Park, NJ
December 2025CaffiTeen Library Outreach
— Fort Lee, NJ
September 3, 2026
— Fair Lawn, NJ
September 10, 2026
— Teaneck, NJ
September 4, 2026
— Leonia, NJ
September 15 , 2026
Columbia University BrainSTORM Research Mentorship Program
Mentee | Alzheimer’s Disease Lipidomics Research
Columbia University Irving Medical Center | April 2026–June 2027
Research Summary
Selected as one of approximately 25 high school students for a competitive year-long neuroscience research mentorship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Under the mentorship of Dr. Vilas Menon, I am developing an interactive R Shiny application to visualize lipid abundance across brain regions and compare lipidomic profiles between wild-type and Alzheimer's disease mouse models.This project supports Alzheimer's disease research by enabling interactive exploration of lipidomics data, identifying differential lipid composition, and facilitating biomedical data analysis and hypothesis generation.Global Health Leaders Conference (GHLC) at Johns Hopkins University – Selected Student Speaker, 2 Consecutive Years [2025–2026]
2025 — Beyond Accuracy: Building Fair and Transparent AI for Autism Diagnosis
Selected as 1 of 170 Student Speakers in an international cohort to present research on fairness and transparency in AI-based autism diagnosis, integrating AI, neuroscience, and public health. Presentation published on GHLC at JHU’s official YouTube channel.
2026 — The 21st Century Gateway Drug: Exploring the Factors of Energy Drink Consumption and Connections to Substance/Drug Use
Selected as 1 of 165 Student Speakers in an international cohort to present research examining associations between adolescent energy drink consumption and substance use using national Monitoring the Future data. Presentation forthcoming on GHLC at JHU’s official YouTube channel.
Wolfram Emerging Leaders Program (WELP)
Research Student | Computational Neuroscience
August 2025–May 2026
Program & Research
Selected for Wolfram’s year-long computational research and innovation program for high school students. After studying Wolfram Language during the first semester, collaborated on a small-group research project exploring computational models of multiple sclerosis and neural-network resilience to demyelination.Project
Contributed to “Modeling Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelination Resilience across Neural Networks,” a team research project using computational modeling to explore how neural networks respond to progressive demyelination.Publication & Recognition
The team project was published on Wolfram Community and recognized as a Wolfram Community Staff Pick.
🏅Congressional Award – Gold Medal
U.S. Congress | Oct 2025
Recognized for completing a youth achievement program administered by the U.S. Congress, which included over 400 hours of voluntary public service and more than 200 hours each in personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.
🏅President’s Volunteer Service Award – Gold (3 Years)
AmeriCorps & Points of Light Foundation | 2022, 2023, 2024
Honored by the U.S. President for three consecutive years of dedicated volunteer service, reflecting consistent commitment to community impact.
National History Day — NJ State Contest Qualifier | Team Website | 2026
Theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
Topic: Wartime Morphine and Its Detrimental Aftermath
Role: Proposed and selected the research topic; collaborated on research and website development
Energy-Efficient 6G Networks – Research Internship (Simulation, AI/ML) | 2025
Program: Research internship, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay (Dr. Rashmi Kamran)
Approach: Investigated energy efficiency aspects of next-generation 6G mobile networks through simulations and analytical modeling
Outcome: Completed simulations, documented findings, and presented results to research mentor
Impact: Contributed to sustainable network design research and gained hands-on experience in applied AI for communication systems🏆2026 – NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (NJ Affiliate Honorable Mention)
: Selected among top high school computing students in New Jersey for achievement in AI research, technical development, and innovation in socially impactful technology projects.
Columbia University — Doctor Skin – Skin Cancer Classification Chatbot (Python, CNN, NLP) | 2025
Developed an AI-powered chatbot that integrates convolutional neural networks for skin cancer image classification with natural language interaction.
Program: Capstone project, Columbia SHAPE Program (Prof. Daniel Bauer)Approach: Combined image classification (CNN) with conversational AI (NLP)Outcome: Built a functional prototype and delivered an 8-minute final presentation to faculty and peersImpact: Explored applications of AI in healthcare, emphasizing accessibility and early diagnosis support
🏆Genius Olympiad — International Finalist | Environmental Art | 2025
Created an environmental art piece, “When the River Turns Black,” exploring the impact of water pollution and ecological degradation.Category: Environmental Art
Work: Mixed-media woodworking project using reclaimed materials
Approach: Designed and constructed a piece that visually represents the transformation of natural ecosystems under environmental stress
Outcome: Selected as an International Finalist at the Genius Olympiad
Impact: Raised awareness of environmental sustainability through art and material reuse
🏆Notable Award, 2025 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Recognized for outstanding achievement in the Visual Art: Handcrafted category of the international 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest, selected from 6,300+ submissions worldwide.Awarded for artistic storytelling that explored the contest theme “Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside,” demonstrating depth, environmental reflection, and powerful creative expression.Work will be featured in Bow Seat’s official online Gallery following the public winners announcement, joining a global community of young artists advocating for a healthier, more sustainable world.
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2026 Silver Key – Sculpture
: The Breath We Borrow: When Water, Air, and Life Begin to Break
ACComPLISHED Community Health Program
Selected Participant | Jun–Aug 2026
Studied community health, disease prevention, and health literacy through physician-led workshops and mentorship.Developed a capstone community health project focused on teen caffeine education and healthier habits.Shared health education with community members as a student health liaison.
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2026 Gold Key –Critical Essay
: The Mind’s Mirror
🏆 Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest – Outstanding Writing Content Prize 2025
Awarded for the essay “How Smart City Initiatives by South Korea Can Shape Global Frameworks for Managing Shared Digital Assets” in a global academic writing competition hosted by the Harvard International Review.
🏆 John Locke Institute Essay Competition – Commendation 2024
: Commended for an essay examining the philosophical and political rationale behind public education versus private food markets. Recognition: Invited to and attended the awards ceremony in London, engaging with an international community of student scholars.
💻 American Computer Science League – Finalist (3 Years) 2023–2024, 2024–2025, 2025–2026
AmeriCorps & Points of Light Foundation Achieved finalist standing for three consecutive seasons in a national computer science competition that tests algorithm design, programming skills, and computational problem-solving.
🤖 Microsoft AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals – Certified 2025
Earned Microsoft’s industry-recognized certification validating foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence concepts and Azure AI services, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.
Founded an eco-friendly woodworking venture creating handcrafted pieces from reclaimed wood.Donated proceeds to nonprofits supporting children with ADHD, combining entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social impact.
By the Numbers
49 Handcrafted Pieces$2,450 Donated100% Reclaimed / Repurposed Materials
Contributed 100+ service hours supporting community events and local outreach.Helped organize events including the Color Run, Health Fair, Senior Picnic, and Veterans’ Memorial Dinner.
Learn Together, Dream Together
President | 2025–Present
Senior Manager | 2024–2025
Volunteer Assistant | 2023–2024
500+ service hours supporting children with ADHD, autism, and other learning needs.Tutored 10+ students in math and English and led weekly abacus instruction for younger students.Helped expand programs through fundraising and community-based educational activities.
Abacus Instructor
Palisades Park Public Library | Nov 2024–Mar 2026
Teach abacus and mental math to 20+ K–5 students through weekly classes.Develop and use instructional materials to support arithmetic fluency and problem-solving.
🏆Award Winner, KPAC 1st Annual 2025 Lunar New Year Art Contest
- Recognized for outstanding artistic achievement in the Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. Award category, hosted by the Korean Parents Advisory Council (KPAC). Demonstrated creativity and cultural expression in an art competition celebrating Lunar New Year traditions. Received a prize of $350 for this accomplishment.
🏆Second Place – Youth in Policy National Essay Contest 2025
Honored for a nationally recognized policy essay arguing that AI should be integrated into STEM curricula rather than taught as a standalone core subject.
🏆Northeastern University London Essay Competition – Highly Commended 2025
Recognized for an analytical essay exploring the environmental costs of AI and proposing sustainable energy frameworks.
Stevens Institute of Technology — Exploring the Human Brain with Virtual Reality (Neuroscience, VR)| 2025
Course:Exploring the Human Brain with Virtual Reality (Prof. Paola DiMarzio)
Studied neuroscience and cognitive science through immersive virtual reality–based learning, exploring how brain structure and function relate to behavior and perception.
National History Day (NHD) 2025 – Individual Documentary
Theme:“The Rights and Responsibilities of Leadership”
Title:“Colin Powell’s American Journey”
Comparative analysis of AI/ML driven QCHAT-10 and QCHAT-25 methodologies for Autism screening in toddlers using different classifiers
National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS), Individual Research Raleigh, NC Sep 2025-current
• Conducted an independent study, “Comparative Analysis of AI/ML driven QCHAT-10 and QCHAT-25 Methodologies for Autism Screening in Toddlers Using Different Classifiers,” invited for Revision Stage (after peer review)• Conducted an independent study, “AI in Autism Screening Research: Comparative Analysis of QCHAT-10 and QCHAT-25 Using Machine Learning,” invited for Revision Stage (after peer review)Design Patent: “Drop Bread Toaster” – Inventor
Filed Aug 2024 | Granted July 2025 (USPTO Application No. 29/956,681)
Developed an innovative toaster that automatically cooks and ejects bread after insertion.
Patent granted after 15 months of examination by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Design Patent: “Focus Time Pad” – Inventor
Filed August 2025 by USPTO (Application No. 30/018,792)
Created a bear-shaped cushion with an integrated timer to help children with ADHD and concentration difficulties. Designed to combine tactile comfort with visual time cues, supporting focus in classrooms, therapy sessions, and at-home learning.
Fair and Explainable Machine Learning for Pediatric Autism Diagnosis: Combining Bias Analysis and Model Interpretation – Curieux Academic Journal — Published (Feb 2026)
: Explored model fairness and interpretability in pediatric ASD diagnosis using Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and XGBoost.
Applied SHAP and LIME to increase transparency and reduce bias in AI predictions. 🔗 Publication: https://www.curieuxacademicjournal.com/_files/ugd/99711c_2cc5ab877ee6497097321f287922ec1f.pdf
Columbia University — Effects of Social Media on Mental Health (Data Science Project) | 2024
Program:Columbia SHAPE Program (Columbia Engineering, Prof. Yi Zhang)
Analyzed the relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes using data-driven methods and statistical modeling.
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2025 Silver Key – Dramatic Script
: Fading Canvas
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2026 Honorable Mention – Journalism
: SEOUL’S SOARING HOUSING PRICES TEST THE RESILIENCE OF A CITY
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2025 Honorable Mention – Science Fiction & Fantasy
: The Miracle Of Life
🏆Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2025 Honorable Mention – Journalism
: South Korea’s Gender Divide : A Nation’s Fertility Crisis
🏆National Honor Society (NHS) – Bergen County Academies ChapterInducted October 2025
Recognized for outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character; invited to the formal induction ceremony on November 20, 2025.
Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM)
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Participant | Jul 2025 & Jul 2026
Participated in two consecutive summers of cancer education and scientific enrichment.Explored topics including cancer research, health inequities, public health, prevention, and professional development.Engaged in lectures, student-led activities, and community-focused public health learning
Silent Spring Summer Institute
Selected Participant | 2025 & 2026
Completed the Silent Spring Summer Institute in 2025 and returned for a second summer in 2026.Explored environmental health research, public health, and science communication through program activities and discussions.
Youth Caffeine Awareness
CaffiTeen
