Jinbang Zan

Ever since my early fascination with the mysterious inner workings of resistors and flashing filament bulbs in primary school, I have been captivated by the magical intersection of engineering, technology, and innovation. The ability to unravel complex problems and craft ingenious solutions has always fuelled my curiosity. Participating in a hackathon feels like a natural extension of this passion, where rapid problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking converge to achieve something impactful within a limited time frame.

From my early project designing a toilet seat raiser to assist my grandparents, I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of translating ideas into practical solutions. The experience of visualizing, modelling, and optimizing a real-world device using CAD and applying engineering principles was deeply fulfilling. It showed me the power of engineering to create tangible benefits for others, which drives my motivation to push the boundaries of what can be achieved through innovation. In a hackathon, I can channel this same energy, transforming a concept into a prototype that might address real-world needs in mere hours or days.

As my journey expanded into software engineering, building a business idea recommender system honed my technical skills and further sparked my fascination with algorithm design and web development. Whether crafting Python Flask backends or optimizing SQL databases, I experienced firsthand the immense creativity and problem-solving power of coding. Hackathons present an ideal environment to combine this knowledge with quick thinking and agile development, where I can apply my skills in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment to solve novel challenges.

My desire to explore the synergy between hardware and software led me to projects like building an autonomous drone, where I implemented a PID control system and worked to stabilize the drone’s hover capabilities. The thrill of combining microcontrollers, sensors, and programming to create intelligent systems is one that I hope to bring to hackathons, where complex, multidisciplinary challenges are the norm. The rapid prototyping and iterative process found in these events mirror my own approach to engineering, where learning from each failure leads to eventual success.

Beyond technical skills, my leadership and teamwork experience has prepared me for the collaborative nature of hackathons. Leading a team to develop a fly-by-wire system during an engineering program honed my ability to delegate tasks, manage timelines, and foster creativity among diverse skill sets. Hackathons thrive on such collaboration, and I look forward to engaging with other driven individuals who are eager to contribute and grow together.

Furthermore, my research into machine learning and its application to EEG-based stress monitoring opened my eyes to the power of AI in solving real-world problems. Whether it’s experimenting with SVMs, LSTMs, or natural language processing, hackathons provide the perfect platform to apply my growing expertise in AI and push its potential to new limits, possibly addressing challenges in health tech, automation, or beyond.

Ultimately, what drives me to join a hackathon is the thrill of bringing ideas to life. The fast-paced, competitive, and collaborative environment forces rapid thinking, innovation, and teamwork—qualities that I have cultivated throughout my engineering and technical journey. I am excited to immerse myself in the challenge, collaborating with like-minded individuals, and developing cutting-edge solutions that push the boundaries of what technology can achieve.