Hi there! I'm Ben, a CS MS student at Stanford University advised by Prof. Jerry Cain. I also did my undergrad at Stanford (2020-2024), completing a BS double major in CS and Math, and a Minor in Creative Writing. During my senior winter, I studied abroad at the University of Oxford, embarking on a Tutorial in Creative Writing. In my free time, I enjoy manga and anime, and listening to J-pop, soundtracks, and rock music ๐ธ.
My name in Chinese is ้ขๆ (Mandarin: Yรกn Bฤซn).
Teaching
I love teaching, and want to help make computer science education accessible and welcoming for everyone! At Stanford, I have the privilege of teaching introductory programming (Python, JavaScript, C languages), web applications, computer systems, Unix/Linux OS, and coding for social good. This year, I'm teaching:
Programming Methodologies in JavaScript and Python
Head TA (๐ Autumn 24-25, Prof. Jerry Cain)
Computer Organization and Systems
Teaching Assistant (โ๏ธ Winter 24-25, Prof. Jerry Cain)
Teaching Assistant (๐ฑ Spring 24-25, Prof. Nick Troccoli)
Head TA (๐ฌ Summer 24-25, Profs. Ola Adekola, Adam Keppler)
Lecturer (๐ Autumn 24-25, Faculty Sponsor: Jerry Cain)
Lecturer (โ๏ธ Winter 24-25, Faculty Sponsor: Jerry Cain)
Lecturer (๐ฑ Spring 24-25, Faculty Sponsor: Jerry Cain)
Last year (2023-24), I started teaching CS106S (a 1-unit add-on course to CS106B), with Prof. Jerry Cain generously serving as the course's faculty sponsor.
Lecturer (๐ Autumn 23-24, Faculty Sponsor: Jerry Cain)
Lecturer (๐ฑ Spring 23-24, Faculty Sponsor: Jerry Cain)
As an undergrad, I was also a Math Department SUMO peer tutor for two years, holding weekly, deadline-night office hours for MATH 18, 19, 20, 20, and 51 simultaneously.
Education
๐ฒ Stanford University
M.S. Candidate, Computer Science (AI Track)
Advisor: Prof. Jerry Cain. CS198 Section Leading (TA)
๐ฒ Stanford University
B.S. Double Major, Computer Science and Mathematics
Minor, Creative Writing
Advisor: Prof. Jerry Cain. Stanford CS + Social Good, SUMO, SciOly
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ University of Oxford
Brasenose College, Study Abroad, Hilary Term 2024
Tutorial in Creative Writing with Prof. Jennifer Wong. Brasenose Arts ๐ญ.
๐ University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) Graduate
Accelerated 5-yr sequence of HS math (6th-7th grade) & Calc I-III (8th-10th)
Honors
National Novel Writing Month Winner, wrote two novels (50,000 words each) in one month (Nov 2023, as the project of my English 190E class)
U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of 161 graduating seniors selected in the U.S.
Volunteering
- Golden Gate Science Olympiad โ Event Supervisor: ๐ฐ๏ธ Remote Sensing (2023),
๐ Dynamic Planet (2024), ๐ Dynamic Planet (2025) - Stanford Science Olympiad โ Event Supervisor: ๐ Astronomy (2023), ๐ฟ Ecology (2024), ๐ Astronomy (2025)
- NorCal State Science Olympiad โ Event Supervisor: ๐บ๏ธ Road Scholar (2024, 2025), ๐ฆ Fossils (2024), ๐ Geologic Mapping (2024), โ Meteorology (2025)
Personal
Favorite Manga, Anime, Adaptations
My all-time favorite manga and anime show is Jujutsu Kaisen. I've never seen a movie I liked more than Weathering with You (2019). I also like:
Miscellaneous Facts
- I'm deathly scared of heights, but love rollercoasters to death
- My most-listened-to music artists include ๐ถ YOASOBI, Charli XCX, Radwimps, Kenshi Yonezu, BTS, LE SSERAFIM, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, King Gnu, and Coldplay. Always looking for album or song recommendations!
- I'm bilingual in Mandarin Chinese & English, and learning Japanese currently!