Teen Cancer Researcher Creates 72-Card Game to Aid Treatment Decisions and STEM Outreach

In a San Diego classroom, 17-year-old Daniel Zhang uses a 72-card deck he created to illustrate cancer treatment decisions, with each card covering a therapy, side effect, biomarker or personal value such as quality of life. The game is intended as a discussion tool for patients, families and clinicians, helping non-experts grasp complex choices without replacing professional advice. Zhang’s development process involved reviewing medical literature, consulting oncology mentors and testing prototypes with peers and families.

Alongside the game, he contributes to university-affiliated cancer research projects that examine tumor responses and resistance mechanisms. His outreach extends to STEM education, where he has coordinated workshops, coding exercises and experiments that have engaged more than 1,500 children in the San Diego area, often pairing older students with younger participants as mentors. Balancing school, lab work and outreach, Zhang relies on a network of teachers, mentors and family for support. He plans to refine the game for broader clinical use and expand his educational programs as he moves toward university studies.