Hello! My name is Derek Jiang, and I am currently a senior at Cornell University studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Law & Society. As an avid writer and a fervent follower of legal news, I serve as the Managing Editor for the Cornell Undergraduate Law & Society Review, writing award-winning articles on diverse topics from religious liberty and free speech to equality law and regulations on healthcare and the Internet. Another passion of mine is teaching. On campus, I serve as a course instructor and teaching assistant for Multivariable Calculus for Engineers and Intellectual Property Law & Policy, and I love helping young scientists learn and grow through Science Olympiad at Cornell. In the future, I hope to translate my scientific research experience and technical expertise to the realm of law and public policy, seeking to safeguard and advance scientific innovation. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing basketball, trying new ice cream flavors, bird-watching, and engaging in spirited conversation.
Ever since schools and communities were destroyed due to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, I realized that I could be doing more to support those in need, especially the children of low-income families with respect to their education and future. As I strongly believe that a good education plays an important role in developing our young generation to be understanding and responsible citizens, I hope that all students, including those from under-resourced, low-income communities, continue to pursue a higher education through college and have a successful future. Being a well-rounded, educated member of society is increasingly important in a modernizing and globalizing world that faces increasingly daunting challenges such as climate change and life-threatening pandemics. I hope to elevate the lives of others so that they too will be able to participate in civil discourse and take the necessary actions to transform the world, and now, with BestBridgeToHeart, my team and I can make our dreams of helping underprivileged kids a reality.