Hannah Kim
High School Senior
Class of 2026
I’m passionate about learning, helping others, volunteering for special-needs communities, fostering entrepreneurship, taking risks, and having fun.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Neuroscience Research
Behavioral Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in a Drosophila Melanogaster Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Scholastica • Vol. 9, Issue 4 • ISSN 2575-6206 • https://doi.org/10.64336/001c.151317
The frequent co-occurrence of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) suggests that affective dysregulation may influence disease progression; however, the behavioral mechanisms underlying this interaction remain undefined. This study quantitatively investigated how anxiety- and depression-like phenotypes interact with AD pathology to alter behavioral and cognitive performance using a Drosophila melanogaster model expressing human amyloid-β (Aβ).
Economics Research
The Future Financial Outlook of Social Security
Curieux Academic Journal • July Issue 3, p. 48 • ISSN 2769-6359
The paper addresses Social Security’s financial challenges, focusing on trends since 1935. It examines the effects of declining fertility, a shrinking workforce, and longer life expectancies on contributions and benefits, predicting a 2034 reserve depletion. The study reviews historical data, worker-to-retiree ratios, and financial trends like capped payroll taxes, showing the system’s increasing shortfall.
Advanced Studies
Student Educational Enrichment Research Internship
Medical College of Georgia | Augusta, GA
Summer 2025
- Selected as one of 15 high school students for a highly competitive six-week paid internship, collaborating with 30 undergraduate and post-graduate students in an intensive pre-medical program.
- Engaged in 40+ hours per week of advanced academic learning, hands-on laboratory research, and critical discussions.
- Achieved #1 rank in MEDS: 1100 - Biology, Organic Chemistry, & Clinical Biochemistry, #1 rank in Case-Based Studies, and #2 rank in Public Health Seminar.
- Received the "Next Ground-Breaking Research" award for an original research paper.
Neuroscience Institute Scholar
Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA
Summers 2024 & 2025
- Completed four intensive summer courses on neurological disorders, human brain imaging, and advanced neuroscience research methods.
- Conducted original experiments using Drosophila models to study Alzheimer's disease, stress, and trauma.
Personal Passion Project
SpeakEase.io
An AI-powered Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) application that predicts and composes sentences for people with speech or language difficulties.
- Founded in 2022 for my brother with autism and expanded to thousands worldwide.
- 1.5K registered users from 5 countries.
- 10,000+ unique monthly visitors.
- Winner of the 2025 National Congressional App Challenge.
- Invited to present at the US Capitol in April 2026.
Congressional App Challenge
1st Place State District Winner
Congressional App Challenge
Official Winner
Announcement
Announcement
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
SERVICE & OUTREACH
Medical Mission Trip – Guatemala
SUMMER 2024
- Assisted physicians in rural clinics with patient intake, vitals, and basic care.
- Supported educational initiatives, sharing faith through service and teaching.
- Strengthened cross-cultural communication skills and commitment to global health.
Community Volunteer
2019 – PRESENT
- Served meals to over 500 individuals weekly at Meals By Grace, supporting food-insecure families in the community.
- Organized fundraising for autism awareness and Special Olympics initiatives.
Leadership &
Extracurriculars
Jan. 2024 – Present
Special-Needs Classroom Assistant
Lambert High School | Volunteer
- Volunteers two hours each week supporting teachers in special-needs classrooms, helping with learning activities, and growing connections with the students.
2023 – Present
Founder & President – Friends for Life Club
- Established Lambert High’s first special-needs advocacy and mentorship club, affiliating with Best Buddies International.
- Organizes monthly events, mentorship pairings, and inclusion campaigns, engaging 80+ students.
- Built a sustainable peer-support network to promote awareness and inclusion across the school.
2022 – Present
President – Creative Writing & Arts Club
- Reorganized and expanded club membership to 50+ students, created the school’s student journal publishing platform.
- Directed a 10-member editorial team in reviewing, designing, and publishing student work.
Student Club Activities
12th Grade
- Creative Writing & Arts - President
- Friends for Life - Founder & President
- National Honor Society
11th Grade
- Creative Writing & Arts - President
- Friends for Life - Founder & President
- National Honor Society - (150+ hours of volunteering)
10th Grade
- Creative Writing & Arts (Formerly Lambert Anthology Club) - Junior Officer
- Key Club - (20+ hours of volunteering)
- Beta Honor Society - (20+ hours of volunteering)
- Computer Science Club
9th Grade
- Creative Writing & Arts (Formerly Lambert Anthology Club)
- Key Club - (20+ hours of volunteering)
- Computer Science Club
Extracurricular Activities
May 2014 - Present
TaeKwonDo
4th
Degree
Black
Belt
TaeKwonDo
Master
· 10 years of TaeKwonDo training
· 9 years of performance team
· 3 time gold medalist in the Southeastern TaeKwonDo Olympics
· 9 years of performance team
· 3 time gold medalist in the Southeastern TaeKwonDo Olympics
awards
From various academic and professional competitions
12th Grade
- National Congressional App Challenge (2025) - 1st Place State District (13,830 competitors)
- Invitation to present the most innovative app in the U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC (April 2026)
11th Grade
- Governor's Honors Program 2024 - World Languages (Spanish)
- Forsyth County Social Studies Fair (2024) - 1st Place (out of 200+ projects)
- International Microsoft Imagine Cup (2024) - Top 10 Finalist
- International Engineering World Health Competition (2024) - The Best Innovative Project
- Georgia Academic Merit Award (2025) - (Top 5% of class)
- Georgia State University President’s List (2025) - (4.0 GPA over 25 credits)
- Georgia Regional Science & Engineering Fair (2025) - Top 10 Finalist
10th Grade
- Hack The Treasure: Coding Competition (2024) - 1st Place Overall Award
- Lambert HS Hackathon (2024) - The best UI Design Award
- University of Georgia Hackathon (2024) - The Best Mobile App Award
- Presidential Volunteer Service Award (2024) (110+ hours)
contact
I would like to expand my network. Let's connect!