Haotian Yao

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China yaoht100@outlook.com

Data science student entering UCL in September 2026. Co-author of a published paper on cosmic ray detection in Theoretical and Natural Science. Experienced with Python, machine learning, and statistical analysis through coursework, research, and self-directed projects. Led the high school chapter of a volunteer tutoring programme serving children in Shenzhen's urban village communities. Broad athletic background across five sports, with sustained commitment to basketball and badminton through high school.

Published Research
Co-author, Theoretical & Natural Science
Cosmic ray muon flux analysis using six detectors; peer-reviewed, open access. DOI ↗
Top University
UCL — BSc Data Science
Russell Group, QS global top 10. Enrolling September 2026. Faculty of Engineering Sciences.
Competition
BPhO — Global Bronze I
British Physics Olympiad 2024. Top-tier international distinction in physics problem-solving.
Leadership
President, MEE Chapter
Led volunteer tutoring programme for urban village children. Grew participation 3→15+ students per semester.

Education

University College London (UCL) 2026 – 2029
BSc Data Science, Faculty of Engineering Sciences London, United Kingdom
Russell Group, global top 10 (QS). Statistical machine learning, probabilistic modelling, data engineering, computational statistics. UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence; Alan Turing Institute connections.
Shenzhen Senior High School — International Division 2023 – 2026
GCE A-Levels: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Chinese Shenzhen, China

Research & Projects

Cosmic Ray Muon Flux — Statistical Analysis Summer 2024
Shanghai
  • Operated six Cosmic Watch detectors (SiPM + plastic scintillator) to collect time-stamped cosmic ray events and coincident atmospheric pressure data.
  • Built data processing pipeline: organised raw logs, developed time-window coincidence algorithm for event identification, applied noise-reduction techniques.
  • Modelled muon detection rate against atmospheric pressure using ordinary least-squares linear regression; identified statistically significant inverse correlation (p < 0.01), consistent with the barometric effect.
  • Resulted in peer-reviewed publication in Theoretical and Natural Science, Vol. 107 (2025).
PythonJupyterLinear RegressionTime-SeriesSignal Processing
HKU Summer Programme — Data & Systems Engineering Summer 2025
University of Hong Kong
  • Selective programme covering 3D printing & digital fabrication, robotics & automation, and smart infrastructure systems.
  • Programmed robotic systems with mBlock; collected and processed motion telemetry (accelerometer, gyroscope) for vibration analysis and design optimisation.
  • Presented capstone findings to faculty.
mBlockPythonRoboticsSensor Data3D Printing
Machine Learning with Python — IBM Professional Certificate 2024 – 2025
edX
  • Supervised learning (regression, decision trees, random forests, SVMs, k-NN); unsupervised learning (k-means, hierarchical clustering, DBSCAN, PCA); introductory deep learning (Keras, TensorFlow).
  • Applied projects in healthcare readmission prediction and credit risk modelling. Model evaluation via cross-validation, ROC, and precision-recall analysis.
Pythonscikit-learnpandasNumPyKeras
Underwater ROV — Design, Build & Control Spring 2024
Shenzhen
  • Interdisciplinary project: CAD, 3D printing, electronics integration, sensor firmware, PID-based depth and heading stability control.
  • PVC frame with four-thruster vectored propulsion; DS18B20 temperature, MS5837 depth, and custom IR turbidity sensors (I²C, Arduino Nano); RS-485 tether with Python tkinter surface display.
CAD3D PrintingArduinoPID ControlElectronicsPython
Chinese Academy of Sciences — Research Immersion Winter 2023
Shenzhen
  • Lectures and hands-on sessions on brain-computer interfaces: EEG signal acquisition, preprocessing, and classification.
  • Explored zero-gravity backpack design using elastic load-suspension mechanisms (biomechanics & mechanical design).
BCIEEGNeuroscienceBiomechanicsMechanical Design

Publications

Xuanzhu An1,*, Haoran Yao2, Haotian Yao2
Exploring the Relationship Between Muon Detection Rates and Atmospheric Pressure Using Cosmic Watch Detectors
Theoretical and Natural Science, Vol. 107, pp. 157–163 · 6 May 2025 · Open Access (CC BY)
ISSN 2753-8818 (Print) · 2753-8826 (Online)
1 North China Institute of Science and Technology, Hebei · 2 Shenzhen Senior High School International Division
DOI: 10.54254/2753-8818/2025.22629
This study explores how atmospheric pressure affects muon detection rates. By analyzing data from six Cosmic Watch detectors, we organized the collected information, examined the correlation between atmospheric pressure and muon detection rates, and addressed the timing discrepancies across detectors. Our findings show that muon detection rates decrease as atmospheric pressure rises — consistent with the barometric effect in cosmic ray physics. The study also improves time difference correction methods, providing new strategies and tools for detecting rare coincidence events.

Awards & Honours

2024British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) — Global Bronze I
2023Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) — Gold Award
2024IELTS Overall Band Score 7.5 (Listening 8.5, Reading 8.0, Speaking 6.5, Writing 6.0)
School Honours
2025Outstanding Boarding Student
2025Collective Activity Excellence Award
2024–2025Excellence in Conduct and Etiquette
2023Military Training — Outstanding Student
2023–2024Academic Honour Certificates (×2)
2023–2025School Award Certificates (×7)

Skills

Programming & Data
PythonJupyter NotebookpandasNumPyscikit-learn matplotlibKeras / TensorFlowmBlockArduino (C/C++) HTML / CSS / JavaScript
Tools
Microsoft Office / ExcelBambu Studio (3D Printing)XRCC GitVS Code
Methods
Linear & Logistic RegressionTime-Series AnalysisSignal Processing Statistical Hypothesis TestingData PipelinesClassification & Clustering PID ControlCADExperiment Design
Languages
Mandarin Chinese — Native English — Fluent (IELTS 7.5, L8.5 R8.0)

Leadership & Activities

Mission For Education Equality — President 2023 – 2026
Led the high school chapter of this volunteer-run online tutoring programme providing free maths and English instruction to children in Shenzhen's urban village communities. Recruited and coordinated tutors, managed scheduling and curriculum, and taught directly in small-group weekly sessions. Grew participation from 3 to over 15 students per semester.
Computer Science Club — Member 2022 – 2026
Shenzhen Senior High School
Attended weekly workshops covering Python fundamentals and algorithmic problem-solving. Participated in project-based sessions (games, data scripts, automation tools) and club events. ~20 regular members.
Volunteer Teaching — Zhaluomude School, Inner Mongolia Summer 2024
Two weeks teaching English and science at a rural school in a predominantly Mongolian region. Adapted materials and built hands-on science demonstrations from locally available objects.

Sports

Basketball Late primary school – present
Regular training, inter-school matches, tournament organisation. Defence-oriented player.
Badminton Childhood; resumed high school
Trained consistently through high school; currently one of two main sports.
Football Kindergarten – middle school
Played regularly growing up. Studied league history and World Cup records. Still follow the tactical and statistical side.
Swimming, Taekwondo Kindergarten – middle school
Swimming: trained from a young age, still interested in performance data and race analytics. Taekwondo: competed at regional level.

Interests

Music: systematic listening with attention to production, arrangement, and vocal technique. AI & tech: using AI for data work, writing, music production, web projects; systematic model comparison. Reading: fiction and non-fiction across genres; preference for slower, deeper engagement. Film: narrative structure, character work, directorial choices; maintain a viewing log. NBA & sports analytics: era-adjusted metrics, pace-normalised comparisons, statistical approaches to player evaluation. Also follow competitive swimming and football from an analytical perspective.
© 2026 Haotian Yao yaoht100@outlook.com