Panda Min's ChemLab

Min Shin's ChemLab

Hi, I'm Min from Hawaii 👋

Transforming challenges into scientific breakthroughs chemistry research, team leadership, and educational impact.

Currently, I explore computational chemistry to solve real-world sustainability challenges—and I lead teams to compete, learn, and serve.

Top 12
National Science Bowl
Top 150
USNCO Nationwide
2
Active Research Projects
4
STEM Club Leader

Current Focus

🧪 UH Manoa Research
Bi-organometallic Catalysts

HSRA
🏛️ UT Austin Collaboration
Selective Hydrogenation

HSRA
🤝 STEM Club
Team Culture Transformation

HSRA
🔬 Explore My Research 🐼 Meet the Panda

Journey Highlights

🐼

About Me

Personal Story

Academic excellence, research achievements, and leadership development at Iolani High School.

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⚗️

ChemLab

Research Projects

Cutting-edge research in computational chemistry, catalyst design, and sustainable materials at top universities.

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🤝

Community

Leadership Impact

Founded chemistry club, led teams to national championships, and mentored hundreds of students across Hawaii.

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🌺

My Life

Hawaii & Beyond

Life in paradise, jazz philosophy, and the personal moments that shape a well-rounded individual.

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Academic Profile

Chemistry researcher and student leader from Iolani High School, Hawaii

Academic Performance

4.32
Weighted GPA
1550
SAT Score
9
AP Courses

Advanced Coursework

STEM Courses:
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Biology
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Statistics
Additional Courses:
  • Multivariable Calculus
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Linear Algebra (Stanford)
  • Advanced Mathematics

Major Achievements

National Recognition
USNCO Top 150 Nationwide 2025
Science Bowl Top 12 National 2025
Science Olympiad 12th National 2025
AIME Qualification 2023
State & Regional
6x Perfect Score Honor (Math) 2023-25
1st Place Chemistry Lab (State) 2025
Math Team State Champions 2023-25
USNCO Local High Scorer 2025
View Full Resume

Welcome to My ChemLab 🧪

Where curiosity meets computational chemistry and sustainable innovation

Active Research Portfolio

🏛️
2
University Collaborations
🧬
2
Active Projects
💡
∞
Future Possibilities

🧪 UH Manoa Research

Optimizing Geometries

Bi-organometallic Catalyst Design

Exploring molecular geometries of Si2H2 systems and biphenyl bismuth complexes for polymer degradation catalysis using DFT and Hartree-Fock methods.

Methods: DFT, Hartree-Fock, KBO Analysis
Goal: Sustainable Polymer Catalysis
Lab: Sattasathuchana Group
View Details

🏛️ UT Austin Collaboration

VASP Simulations

Selective Hydrogenation Pathways

Investigating thermodynamically and kinetically favorable reaction pathways for furfural to furfuryl alcohol conversion using machine learning simulations.

Methods: VASP ML Simulations
Goal: Optimize Reaction Pathways
Lab: Weirui Chan Group
View Details

🌱 Independent Research

Literature Complete

Biodegradable Plastic Enhancement

Comprehensive analysis of techniques to improve mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable plastics through copolymerization and natural fiber additives.

Focus: PLA-PHB Copolymerization
Goal: Performance-Biodegradability Balance
Program: Lumiere Research
View Details

Leadership & Community Impact 🤝

Science team leadership, educational service, and civic achievements

🥈

Science Olympiad Captain

Team Co-Captain (2023-Present) • 12th National (2025)

Led the team to a historic Top 12 finish at 2025 Nationals. Orchestrated 40+ teammates to earn 20+ medals in 10+ tournaments, fostering positive team culture.

  • Led team to 12th place at 2025 National Tournament.
  • Achieved 1st place in Chemistry Lab and Material Science at 2025 State Tournament.
  • Fostered teamwork through optional practices and collaboration.
  • Introduced essential success guides (e.g., quality control, specialization).
🧪

Chemistry Club Founder

Founder/President (April 2024-Present) • USNCO Top 150

Established lab sessions, USNCO training, and competitions. Hosted weekly sessions and tutored 20+ students to provide hands-on, advanced chemistry experiences.

  • Achieved USNCO Honors Top 150 Nationwide (2025) and Local High Scorer.
  • Hosts tutoring sessions and provides diverse learning opportunities.
  • Showcases advanced experiments beyond the general curriculum.
  • Organizes local virtual chemistry competition opportunities.
✖️

Math Team Captain

Team Co-Captain (2023-Present) • 32-Year State Streak

Co-authored tryout sets and mentored 20+ teammates, sustaining the school’s 32-year state championship streak. Earned 6x Perfect Score Honors in state tournaments.

  • Sustained Math Team State Champions streak (2023-2025).
  • Awarded 6x Perfect Score Honor Rolls in the Oahu Math Competition.
  • Mentored 20+ teammates and co-authored tryout sets.
  • Team Co-Captain (2023-Present) and Varsity member since 2022.
🏆

Science Bowl Captain

Team Co-Captain (October 2023-Present) • Top 12 National (2025)

Spearheaded the team to a historic Top 12 finish at 2025 Nationals and earned a \$1K award for the science department. Coordinated **3+ tournaments** and weekly practices.

  • Ranked Top 12 Nationwide at the 2025 National Science Bowl.
  • Coordinated 3+ tournaments and weekly practices.
  • Organizing the first in-person trip to UC Berkeley competition.
  • Fostered a strong STEM community nationwide by sharing study materials.
📚

Educational Impact

Head Tutor (2025-Present) • 200+ Students Served

Transformed the Math Center by creating collaborative environments and promotional content. Tutored 200+ middle/high school students who found math challenging.

  • Math Center Head Tutor (2025-Present).
  • Provided chemistry and math tutoring to 200+ students.
  • Created tutor training programs and activities.
  • Produced videos to advertise the center and boost student visits.
🏛️

Civic Engagement

Political Intern • Environmental Advocate

Interned at Rep. Sam Kong's office, advising on environmental issues and participating in legislative processes. Volunteered to create 5,000+ food packages for Hawaii Foodbank.

  • Interned at Rep. Sam Kong's Office (March 2024-Present).
  • Advised representative on Hawaii's environmental issues using scientific knowledge.
  • Participated in floor hearings and committee meetings.
  • Created 5,000+ food packages for Hawaii Foodbank.
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Music & Performance Activities 🎺

Trombone performance and musical leadership achievements

Musical Leadership

Current Position
🎺
Lead Trombonist
Iolani High School Stage Band (2022-Present)
  • Lead trombone section performances
  • Solo performances in concerts
  • Section leadership and mentoring
  • Recruitment and team building
Section Development
Revived Trombone Section 2022-24
Full Section Achievement 2024
Student Recruitment Success Ongoing

Performance Experience

Performance Types:
  • Solo trombone pieces
  • Jazz ensemble performances
  • Big band arrangements
  • Concert band repertoire
Leadership Skills:
  • Section coordination
  • Student mentoring
  • Performance organization
  • Team collaboration
Big Band Bash Festival Poster

Big Band Bash Festival

Annual jazz festival coordinator and participant
Supporting all jazz bands in Oahu

Festival Contributions
  • Equipment setup and coordination
  • Food and beverage organization
  • Fundraising for school bands
  • Cross-school collaboration
  • Event logistics management
Balancing musical excellence with academic and research commitments
View Gallery