🌟 About Me
I’m a high school student at Dalton Academy, The Affiliated High School of Peking University who loves pondering how people interact with the world, an aspiring researcher striving to grow independently while treating others sincerely, and a person brimming with enthusiasm for psychology and cognitive science.
I aspire to pursue a career in scientific research, focusing on cognitive science and neuroscience. During my high school years, I have developed a habit of reading academic papers extensively and have made preliminary attempts to publish within the field. You can visit my Google Scholar to learn about my research.
Explore my reflections on scientific research and other topics of interest on my Medium Channel.
🎯 Commitment
- 🙏 Independent: All the publications, projects, and achievement during high school were accomplished based on personal effort and collaboration with schoolmate, without any form of reliance on family resources.
- 🥰 Honest: All content is verifiable, and I am always open to sharing details about any project, including the inspiration behind its conception.
🥳 Fun Facts
- 📧 Self-Edited Thesis: I refined my thesis by anonymously emailing 20–30 authors in my research field who have published in top-tier journals. I sought their feedback and acted as my own editor through a self-conducted peer review process.
- 🤫 Journal Submission Journey: After several authors advised aiming for a Q3 journal, I chose to submitted to a Q4 journal and faced immediate rejection. Undeterred, I changed my affiliation to Peking University for the next submission, which entered “Under Review” three days later. Unfortunately, the editor discovered my incorrect email and questioned my affiliation, leading to a prompt rejection.
- 🤯 High School Disclosure: While mailing with a first author in my field and revising the paper per their requirements, I revealed that I was a high school student. His reaction was, “DON’T FUCKING KIDDING ME!”
- 🌍 Networking with PIs: I emailed 30–40 independent Principal Investigators (PIs) in neuroscience and cognitive science in Beijing. Although less than 20% responded, those who did engaged in lengthy interviews, ultimately leading to my acceptance into their laboratories.
🔥 News
- 2024.12: 🎉🎉 Receiving the acceptance letter of my second paper: Probiotics Impact on Cognitive Ability and Emotions in Adolescents: A Brain-Gut Axis Study.
- 2024.11: 🎉🎉 Studying how to conduct cognitive science research at the Peking University Health Science Center.
- Continuing Updating …
📝 Publications
Probiotics Impact on Cognitive Ability and Emotions in Adolescents: A Brain-Gut Axis Study
Boran Cui, Zhenxiong Wen, Yuhan Zhang, Weibo Zhang*
The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS), with recent research highlighting the key role of gut microbiota in regulating GBA functions. This study aims to explore the effects of probiotics on adolescents’ cognitive abilities, memory, and emotions. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 15 healthy adolescents aged 15 to 18, randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving probiotics and a control group receiving a placebo. The study included baseline assessments, a four-week intervention, and post-intervention evaluations using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The MoCA scores showed significant cognitive improvement in the treatment group, while the control group’s improvement was not significant. PANAS scores indicated a significant increase in positive emotions in the treatment group, with no notable changes in the control group. The results support the hypothesis that probiotics positively impact adolescent cognitive function and emotional state by regulating gut microbiota. Despite the limited sample size, this study provides preliminary scientific evidence for the potential therapeutic application of probiotics in adolescents. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods to further validate these findings.
Exploring the Connections between Romantic Desire and Mental Imagery
Boran Cui, Yuhan Liu, Zhenxiong Wen, Weibo Zhang*
This study probes the link between romantic desire and mental imagery. Through a questionnaire involving 218 high school students, it assesses how mental imagery affects romantic feelings and their longevity. Results showed that those with stronger mental imagery abilities tended to have better recall and continuity of romantic feelings and more romantic relationships. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the ability of mental imagery and the number of romantic relationships. This implies a notable role of mental imagery in romantic desire.
🔗 View the paper at Google Scholar
🎖 Honors and Awards
- 2023.10 Dalton Research Grant, CNY 4000 (Awarded One of Two), The Affiliated High School of Peking University.
- 2023.07 “Excellent Research Report” of 2023, Top 10, Biophysical Society of China.
- 2023.02 China BrainBee 2023, National Bronze Award, International Brain Bee.
📖 Educations
- 2022.06 - Now Dalton Academy, The Affiliated High School of Peking University, China.
- 2019.09 - 2022.06 Junior Section, The High School Attached to Beijing Jiaotong University, China.
📚 Activities
Tsinghua University “Artificial Evolution” Winter Camp
- 🕙 Time: 2024.02
- 🪪 Role: Student ‘24 (The First Year)
- 📍 School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
To more effectively identify and cultivate future scientists with specific potential and scientific literacy, the Tsinghua University Center for Advanced Training in Biology (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) hosted a winter camp themed “Artificial Evolution” from January 27 to February 2, 2024. The program selected about 60 students from Beijing and Zhejiang to engage in integrated science-education activities. Participants conducted original scientific experiments, tackled unsolved scientific problems, and explored a refined model for the early cultivation of innovative talent. This initiative was supported by the Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences and the Tsinghua Xuetang Life Science Experimental Class.
During the camp, several faculty members, including Vice President of Tsiunghua University Wang Hongwei, Party Secretary of the School Wu Wei, Dean Shi Songhai, and Vice Dean Liu Dong (in charge of undergraduate training), visited classrooms to interact with participants. They provided insights into the current state and frontiers of science and offered valuable guidance and advice from various perspectives.
Talented Youth Initiative
- 🕙 Time: 2023.08
- 🪪 Role: Student ‘23
- 📍 School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University
Talented Youth Initiative is a selection and cultivation program for top innovative youth in China. Initiated by the School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences of Peking University and specially funded by the Peking University Pei Dian College Global Talents Education Fund.
Talented Youth Initiative opens applications globally each year, attracting over 3,000 elite students from prestigious high schools worldwide. From these applicants, 1,200 are shortlisted for a multi-dimensional evaluation stage. Among them, 150 are rigorously selected for one-on-one interviews with experts and academicians. Finally, 50 of 3000 outstanding teenagers are chosen to officially join the program. They participate in a fully-funded, two-week learning experience at Peking University, engaging closely with experts and academicians across various disciplines. Each participant is also assigned a dedicated mentor—either an academician or a renowned professor from Peking University—and their growth will be tracked over the next 12 years.
Science and Technology Innovation Training Program for Middle School Students (Qinghe Program)
- 🕙 Time: 2023.06
- 🪪 Role: Student ‘23 (The First Year)
- 📍 Beijing
Qinghe Program is organized by CEAIE and co-hosted by institutions such as BUPT and CAU. The program aims to inspire students to transform their interest in science into passion and eventually ambition, contributing to the development of the nation’s scientific and technological advancements. With a practice-oriented approach, the Qinghe Program seeks to ignite students’ learning interest and innovation potential while cultivating their creative thinking and practical abilities.
The China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), established in July 1981, operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education of PRC. It serves as a national organization dedicated to fostering non-governmental international cooperation and exchange in education across China.
💻 Internships and Experiences
Neuroscience Study Tour
- 🕙 Time: 2024.12
- 🪪 Role: Study Tour
- 📍 Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University Health Science Center
AdventureX
- 🕙 Time: 2024.06 - 2024.10
- 🪪 Role: Co-Founder
- 📍 Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
Moonshot AI
- 🕙 Time: 2024.02 - 2024.03
- 🪪 Role: Internship
- 📍 Beijing, China
💬 Kind Words
All the encouragement and feedback from emails or recommendation letters given me greater confidence in pursuing scientific research.
“Possesses strong learning abilities and has demonstrated excellent performance in previous research work.”
— Qiufang Fu, PhD, PI, Institute of Psychology, CAS
“Having a clear interest and independently conducting research during high school is a rare and valuable experience. Your reflections and understanding of scientific research have also left a deep impression on me.”
— Ying Wang, PhD, Young Distinguished Researcher, Institute of Psychology, CAS
“You are very outstanding, and if you’re interested in observing and learning in our lab, you’re more than welcome.”
— Ying Zhang, PhD, PI, Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University Health Science Center
“With a strong sense of curiosity and responsibility, he approaches the study and exploration of biological knowledge with exceptional enthusiasm and focus. Not only does he have a solid foundation in biology and consistently ranks among the top in various exams, but he also excels in self-directed learning.”
— Weibo Zhang, PhD, Chief Science Subject Teacher, Biology Teacher, Dalton Academy, The Affiliated High School of Peking University