Senior Derek Zhang received a coveted and rare honor after being named a 2021 American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) High School Scholar for his work in the UT-Southwestern STARS Program. Zhang partnered with distinguished medical doctors from the Clinical Informatics Center, and a paper he authored on their summer research received rave reviews and was accepted into The Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association for publication.

Zhang, whose lengthy list of activities includes president of the Jesuit Engineering Society, woodwind captain in the band, co-president of the Chinese Club, and goalkeeper for the Jesuit Dallas varsity hockey team, was recently asked to present his findings at the AMIA Annual Symposium in San Diego.

“I am very proud of Derek,” shared Max von Schlehenried ’06, an alumnus and faculty member who heads the Jesuit Dallas Medical Society. “Not only is he academically gifted, but he’s a thoughtful and caring young man. This is an incredible honor for one of our students, and although we’ve had many talented graduates move forward in their research field, none have accepted this honor while in high school!” 

Zhang has been a member of two Texas state championship teams in hockey and is a two-time TPSMEA All-State Clarinetist, National Merit Semifinalist, and NASA High School Aerospace Scholar. Congratulations to Derek Zhang, Ranger of the Week!