Research Mentor · Physics & AI

Guiding students to think like researchers

I help high school students at international schools design, execute, and publish independent research projects — building the kind of work that stands out in college applications.

Book a Free Chat See How It Works

Working with Dong gave my son a real research experience — not just a school project. He learned to ask his own questions and see them through. The published paper was a bonus.

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Lisa W. Parent · International School of Beijing
Dong Zhang presenting physics research
5+ Years Mentoring
About Me

Physics grad. AI practitioner. Mentor.

Hi, I'm Dong. I studied physics, mathematics and astronomy at a top-tier university, and have since worked extensively in AI and machine learning — building real systems, not just reading about them.

I started mentoring high school students because I saw how much they wanted to do real research, and how few people could show them what that actually looks like from the inside.

My approach is simple: your child asks the questions, does the thinking, and owns the project. I'm here to guide, not to do it for them.

  • Physics & Mathematics degree from a top-ranked university
  • Hands-on experience in AI, machine learning, and data analysis
  • Mentored students on projects accepted to high school journals and competitions
  • Fluent in both English and Chinese — comfortable with parents in either language
The Process

From curiosity to published work

A structured but flexible journey, tailored to each student's interests and timeline. Most projects run 3–5 months.

1

Topic Discovery

We explore the student's genuine interests and narrow them into a focused, original research question they actually care about.

2

Research & Analysis

Students dive into literature, collect or gather data, and learn to think rigorously about evidence — with weekly guidance sessions.

3

Writing & Revision

I teach students to write like researchers: clear arguments, honest methodology, proper citations. We revise until it's genuinely good.

4

Publish or Present

We target high school journals, the Regeneron competition, or other showcases — giving the work a real audience and a real credential.

Programs

What I offer

All sessions are one-on-one, online, and scheduled around your child's school calendar.

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Physics & Math Research

Experimental design, data collection, mathematical modeling. Ideal for students drawn to the physical world or quantitative thinking.

Regeneron-ready
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AI & Machine Learning Projects

Build and analyse real ML models — from predicting outcomes to exploring bias in datasets. No prior coding required to start.

Most popular
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Research Writing & Submission

Already have a project idea or draft? I help students sharpen their writing and navigate the submission process for high school journals.

Shorter timeline
Is This Right For You?

This program works best if…

I work with a small number of students at a time, so it's worth making sure we're a good fit before reaching out.

🏫

Your child is in grades 9–11

Starting early (9th or 10th grade) gives the most flexibility. 11th graders can still complete a strong project before applications open.

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They're aiming for US or UK universities

Research experience is a meaningful differentiator for top-25 US schools and competitive UK programmes. It belongs in the application, not just the résumé.

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They're genuinely curious about something

The best projects come from real questions. It doesn't have to be polished yet — curiosity is enough to start.

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They can commit a few hours each week

Research takes consistent effort over months, not cramming. I ask for roughly 3–5 hours per week of independent work between our sessions.

Get in Touch

Let's talk about your child's project

The first conversation is free — no commitment. I'd like to hear about your child's interests before we decide if this is a good fit.

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Book a Call
Book on Calendly
✉️
Email
dong@acerocket.net
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Based in
Seattle, WA · Online Worldwide

Response within 24 hours · Sessions available evenings & weekends