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As a high school student (at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge, California) with a strong interest in the field of mathematical oncology, I created the following online resources:

High School Mathematical Oncology Website
High School Mathematical Oncology Interviews on YouTube

I was first introduced to the concept of mathematical oncology the summer after my high school sophomore year when I joined Dr. Russell Rockne’s lab at City of Hope Cancer Center, as part of the Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy.

Although I had always enjoyed biology, math, and other scientific disciplines, I had no idea that math could play such a crucial role in cancer research. The more I learned about it, the more I became fascinated by the potential of math to revolutionize cancer treatment.

Dr. Rockne has been an incredible mentor–always kind, supportive, and willing to meet with me and offer guidance. When I shared my idea of building an online platform for high school students interested in mathematical oncology, he not only agreed to be interviewed but also connected me with other leading researchers in the field. He even suggested I create a Wikipedia page for mathematical oncology, which was finally approved after months of communication with the Wiki editors to ensure the accuracy and quality of the content.

The High School Mathematical Oncology website serves as a hub where students can explore resources, learn foundational concepts, and connect with others. I’ve compiled a collection of review articles, research publications, recommended introductory books, and links to cancer research centers involved in mathematical oncology. I’ve also made Google Slides presentations on key topics such as the Hallmarks of Cancer and other basic cancer biology. My hope is that other students who have participated in research projects can contribute by sharing their projects and create educational content that makes complex mathematical oncology ideas easier to understand. Looking ahead, I’d love for the site to grow into a platform that also offers mentorship opportunities and a peer-support network.

Since then, I have also spoken with Dr. Thomas Yankeelov, Dr. Stacy Finley, Dr. Sara Hamis, Dr. Jana Gevertz, Dr. Jason George, Dr. Jacob Scott, and Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Anderson. I also spoke with Dr. Yang Kuang, author of the textbook Introduction to Mathematical Oncology. I am deeply grateful for the generosity of each one of them, as they took time out of their busy schedules to meet with me and share their expertise.

Not only did they explain with clarity the many complex concepts in mathematical oncology, but they also shared valuable perspectives on science, research and life. Their wealth of knowledge and wisdom has been invaluable, broadening my understanding and deepening my curiosity.

Here are some of the most memorable quotes that have inspired me:

“Trying to solve a 20,000-dimensional Rubik's Cube is how you can think about how your cells and DNA evolve over time.” ~Dr. Russell Rockne

“We can’t keep relying on trial and error; we need to use data and predictive models to determine the best intervention for each patient.” ~Dr. Thomas Yankeelov

“Even when building a mathematical model, try to remember that it’s meant to represent a real person—someone with a life, a family, a history.” ~Dr. Stacy Finley

“International collaboration has been essential to my research. Each country brought a different lens—and I carry that with me.” ~Dr. Sara Hamis

“In research, if the answer is obvious before you start, it’s probably not research. Patience, perseverance, and support—from mentors and collaborators—are essential.” ~Dr. Jana Gevertz

"Cancer research, in particular, is probably one of the last frontiers in human knowledge. We still struggle to make significant progress. The reason is that we didn’t fully realize the complexity of the challenge. Progress will be slow at first, but any improvement on that should be worth pursuing, and mathematics can accelerate that progress." ~Dr. Yang Kuang

“Students coming through the math-onco pathway now—especially those your age who haven’t fully committed yet—are going to be seeing models that didn’t exist for people like me when we were training. I see that as a really exciting opportunity for the next generation.” ~Dr. Jason George.

“Many of the ‘truths’ you’re learning today will be wrong in the future. It’s your generation’s job to prove me wrong.” ~Dr. Jacob Scott.

"I hope that every cancer center in the US has at least one mathematical oncologist on staff—not just as an add-on, but integrated into patient care." ~Dr. Alexander Anderson.

I’m truly grateful for the privilege to learn from these incredible scientists. They’ve helped me deepen my understanding of various concepts and appreciate the intricacies of tumor growth models, personalized medicine, and the importance of accurate data in shaping the future of healthcare. Their passion, enthusiasm and dedication to advancing cancer treatment have been inspiring and motivating. I am excited to continue exploring these concepts and hope to make a meaningful contribution in the future.

As every professor has emphasized, the future of mathematical oncology depends on collaboration. I look forward to connecting with other high school and college students who are interested in this field so we can build a community to share knowledge, support each other in our research, and make a real difference in cancer treatment.