'I developed machine learning models to predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy'

Dean Zhang: Biological Sciences, Computer Science & Music

5/15/2025

Dean Zhang

Biological Sciences, Computer Science & Music
Newton, Mass.

What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?

My main extracurricular activity has been music — specifically, playing the violin, which I’ve done since I was four years old. At Cornell, music became an even bigger part of my life than I expected. I have played in the Cornell Orchestras every semester, served as concertmaster, taken private lessons with Dr. Ariana Kim and even pursued a music major, something I had not planned to do when I first arrived. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with a wide range of musicians, from performing in an opera with local singers and ballet dancers, to working with professionals in masterclasses, to becoming a soloist with the university orchestra and doing my own senior recital. More than anything, the community and friendships I’ve built through a shared passion for music have given me a true sense of belonging.

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?

One of the most valuable skills I have gained from my Arts & Sciences education is the ability to think across disciplines and approach problems from multiple perspectives. Taking courses in fields as different as biology, computer science, music and anthropology challenged me to adapt different ways of thinking and communicate across academic languages. Furthermore, majoring in three distinct areas pushed me to connect scientific reasoning, technical problem-solving and creative expression in new ways, while the distribution requirements opened the door to subjects I might not have explored otherwise, which all turned out to be incredibly worthwhile. Just as important were the people I was fortunate to learn alongside, whose unique training shaped class discussions and collaborative projects. These experiences have instilled in me intellectual curiosity, creativity and empathy — skills that I know will stay with me long after college.

What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?

One of my proudest accomplishments comes from my first clinical research project during freshman year, where I developed machine learning models to predict the progression of diabetic retinopathy. By analyzing retinal images and patient data, the goal was to identify high-risk patients early to enable timely interventions. Collaborating with physicians, residents and scientists introduced me to the complexities of electronic health records, the importance of accurate data extraction and coding precision and the biases embedded in clinical datasets. Working in an interdisciplinary team was especially rewarding — the clinicians brought diagnostic expertise I didn’t have, while I contributed technical skills outside their training. Together, we accomplished more than any of us could have alone. Ultimately, I’m especially proud because this work not only resulted in several publications and conference abstracts, but also sharpened my computational skills and strengthened my commitment to tackling complex medical challenges to advance diagnostics and improve patient care.

How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?

When I first arrived at Cornell, I expected things to be straightforward — whether it was classes, assignments, research or interpersonal relationships. But I quickly realized how complex and unpredictable everything could be. I have faced plenty of setbacks, from research challenges to difficult conversations to moments when things simply didn’t go as planned. Still, some of my most meaningful growth has come from working through those experiences. Along the way, I have discovered a resilience I didn’t know I had and a genuine appreciation for learning through the iterations of both successes and failures.

Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series.Read more about the Class of 2025.