Hi, I'm

Daniel Chang

Computational & Systems Biology @ UCLA

I build data pipelines, biological models, and full-stack web apps — turning messy biological data into clear, reproducible results.

Download ResumeGitHub

About

UCLA

Sept 2022 – June 2026

B.S. in Computational and Systems Biology, Biological Data Sciences Track

GPA: 3.8 / 4.0

Algorithms (CS 180)Biostatistics (BIOSTATS 100)Data Science & Statistics (CS BIO 100)Digital Imaging & Processing (CS BIO M130)Statistics of Biological Systems (LS 40)Linear Algebra (33A)Differential Equations (33B)

Experience

Researcher

Dec 2025 – June 2026

Dynamic Nucleic Acid Systems Lab (Elisa Franco)

  • Built an automated Python pipeline using Cellpose's pretrained models to segment biomolecular condensates and nuclei in multi-channel Z-stack fluorescence microscopy images (55 slices), replacing a manual labeling workflow.
  • Validated pipeline outputs against pre-labeled ROIs from the JABr dataset by computing condensate density, dilute density, and partition coefficients, comparing against established reference values.
  • Extended the pipeline to automatically classify condensates as nuclear or cytoplasmic based on spatial overlap with segmented nuclei.

Learning Assistant

Jan 2026 – June 2026

LS 30B: Mathematics for Life Scientists — UCLA

  • Led weekly Python lab sections of 30 students and office hours (15–20 students), teaching biological modeling concepts including ODE simulations, trajectory plotting, and eigenvalue analysis with NumPy, Matplotlib, and SciPy.
  • Guided non-CS majors through debugging and conceptual understanding, consistently rated for clear explanations connecting code to lecture material.
  • Broke complex problems into smaller steps to build student confidence and independent problem-solving skills.

Full Stack Developer

Oct 2023 – Jan 2026

Blueprint

  • Developed web and mobile apps for Southern California non-profits alongside designers and developers, delivering features in weekly sprints.
  • Turned Figma mock-ups into responsive React components and API endpoints while meeting weekly sprint goals.
  • Mentored junior members through internal workshops on React patterns, Git workflows, and deployment best practices.

Projects

Gene Expression Age Prediction

Python pipeline analyzing 2,153 GTEx RNA-seq samples across 26K+ genes; applied PCA, linear regression with 5-fold cross-validation, and 10,000-iteration bootstrap resampling to predict donor age across four human tissues.

Pythonscikit-learnPCApandas

NFκB Signaling Dynamics Model

Delay differential equation model of NFκB inflammatory signaling with dual IκB feedback loops; ran parameter sweeps over promoter delay and IKK stimulus strength to characterize oscillation amplitude and frequency.

PythonSciPyModeling

Hospital Data Quality Pipeline

SQL and PySpark pipeline that profiles and cleans 51K hospital patient records — detecting duplicates, invalid ICD-10 codes, and out-of-range vitals, then standardizing and outputting clean data.

SQLPySparkData Engineering

Global Green Web App

Next.js application for non-profit Global Green enhancing education through interactive lessons and quizzes. Built front-end interfaces and integrated MongoDB for dynamic content, collaborating closely with designers.

Next.jsMongoDBReact

Skills

Languages

PythonSQLC++JavaScriptHTML/CSS

Libraries

pandasNumPySciPyscikit-learnMatplotlibPyTorchPySparkReactNext.jsReact NativeNode.js

Tools

GitMongoDBFirebaseLaTeXFigma

Contact

Open to research and software opportunities. The fastest way to reach me:

danielchang1@g.ucla.edugithub.com/Dauniel