Richmond, BC July 2026
Desktop Space OS • Yana Choudhary • Astrophysics

YANA

CHOUDHARY

Passionate Physics & Astrophysics Enthusiast, Computational Biology Researcher, and Community Builder exploring the universe from elementary particles to exoplanetary systems.

3.99 / 4.26
Unweighted / Weighted GPA
1 of 9 Selected
Max-Planck MPIA Intern
1st in World
PurpleComet! Math Meet
Academic & Research Leadership

Experiences & Internships

Experiences — Research & Academics MPIA / Pre-AP

Haus der Astronomie International Intern

Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) • Summer 2026

Selected as 1 of 9 international students, representing Canada, for a research internship at Haus der Astronomie in Heidelberg, Germany. Developed an independent research project on satellite contamination of astronomical imaging, resulting in the Satellite Detection Model (SDM). Mentored by Dr. Niall Deacon (MPIA) and spoke with Dr. Meredith Rawl (UW). Developing results into a research paper/preprint.

Bioinformatics Research Lead

UBC Computational Biology Lab (REO 2026) • Mar 2026 – Present

Leading multi-omics transcriptomic research and cardiovascular drug repurposing workflows to counteract astronaut cardiac deconditioning during long-duration spaceflight.

Pre-AP Incentive Scholar

RC Palmer Secondary School • Richmond, BC • GPA: 3.99 / 4.26

Excelling in rigorous STEM coursework including AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and self-studied Differential Equations & Multivariable Calculus.

Chronological Innovation Record

Projects & Research

March 2026 – Present Space Bioinformatics

Multi-Omics Analysis of Microgravity Cardiac Deconditioning

Analyzing publicly available transcriptomic and multi-omics datasets to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac deconditioning during microgravity exposure. Using R for differential gene expression analysis (log2 fold change, adjusted p-values, PCA, pathway enrichment) to evaluate drug repurposing of existing cardiovascular therapeutics.

Mentorship: UBC Computational Biology Lab
Collaboration: Zoia Leshchenko, Aaliyah Nwaugo, Sophia Jver, Jade Lai
September 2025 Hack Club Daydream

Night Lamp: A Narrative-Based Game Exploring Empathy & Hope

Developed an interactive narrative game using p5.js exploring the balance between providing support and preserving personal well-being. Designed a light-management gameplay system where players use limited light to guide characters through struggles, featuring dynamic lighting effects, character interactions, and metaphorical storytelling.

Hackathon: Hack Club Daydream Hackathon Project
August 2025 Girls Who Code SIP

Interactive Space-Themed Digital Experiences Using p5.js

Developed a collection of interactive creative coding projects using p5.js on Replit. Created applications including Cosmic Collectors (collecting celestial bodies to grow a black hole), a horror choose-your-own-adventure (CYOA) game, and an animated 3D space avatar with responsive facial expressions and gesture-based interactions.

Program: Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (All SIP Projects)
March 2025 – April 2025 Biology 12 Simulation

Protein Synthesis Analogy Game: Overcooked-Inspired Simulation

Developed an interactive Overcooked-inspired simulation in p5.js / p5.play visualizing transcription and translation through a restaurant analogy. Represented DNA as recipes, RNA polymerase as cashier producing mRNA order tickets, ribosomes as kitchens, tRNA as delivery workers, and completed proteins as customer dishes.

Collaboration: Derek Lai
Sept 2024 – Present Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Physics-Based Space Debris Interference Prediction (SDM)

Developing a Python-based simulation pipeline that ingests real-time Two-Line Element (TLE) data from Space-Track and propagates orbits using SGP4. Resulting in the creation of the Satellite Detection Model (SDM), an open-source computational pipeline for predicting satellite interference in astronomical observations. Mentored by Dr. Niall Deacon (MPIA) and spoke with Dr. Meredith Rawl (UW).

Collaboration: Actively Seeking Collaborators
Sept 2023 – June 2024 Grade 9 Science Fair

Seed in Space: Environmental Stressors on Seed Germination

Conducted a pilot study investigating how individual space-related environmental factors influence plant germination using golden wax bush bean seeds. Exposed seeds to simulated conditions including microgravity, UV/microwave radiation, near-vacuum environments, magnetic fields, and helium atmospheres. Observed unusual phenotypic variations including polyembryony.

Awards: Regional Silver Medal, Lynn Valley Garden Special Award
Sept 2022 – June 2023 Grade 8 Science Fair

NE2Paste: Development of a Cost-Effective Toothpaste Alternative

Designed and experimentally optimized a non-toxic, low-cost toothpaste formulation as an alternative to commercial products. Investigated ingredient effectiveness, cleaning performance, and formulation efficiency through controlled testing to develop a product with comparable functionality.

Awards: Regional Silver Medal, SCWIST National Special Award, BC Provincial Junior Geoscience Award
Always Ready to Roll 🚀