Activities | Ruihao Zhang

I actively participate in dragon boat racing, rowing, table tennis, paddleboarding, hiking, and golf. This diverse athletic background has developed key qualities essential for academic success. Dragon boat racing has strengthened my teamwork and communication skills through synchronized coordination. Rowing training has built discipline and mental focus crucial for sustained research efforts. Table tennis has enhanced my analytical thinking and rapid decision-making under pressure. Paddleboarding and hiking have cultivated resilience and creative problem-solving when facing unpredictable challenges. Golf has refined my attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement—qualities that mirror the precision required in academic research. These athletic experiences have shaped me into a disciplined, collaborative, and analytically-minded individual who thrives under pressure and maintains unwavering commitment to excellence throughout my doctoral journey.

I actively participated in theatrical productions, performing in the play Farewell and serving as assistant director for The Unburied Dead (also known as The Victors). As an actor, I developed skills in conveying complex emotions and interpreting nuanced characters. In my directorial role, I guided actors in refining their performances and stage presence. These theatrical experiences have strengthened my communication abilities, collaborative leadership skills, and creative problem-solving approaches. The deep character analysis and narrative comprehension required in theater directly enhance the critical thinking and presentation skills essential for academic research and scholarly discourse.

I have actively participated in various volunteer activities, earning the prestigious Two-Star Zijing Volunteer title from Tsinghua University. My dedication to social causes led me to engage in two rural community research projects, where I gained firsthand insights into local challenges and contributed to development discussions. I have also personally donated portions of my allowance to support UNICEF’s initiatives, demonstrating my commitment to creating positive change. These volunteer experiences have strengthened my empathy, cross-cultural communication skills, and ability to engage with diverse communities—qualities.

I have actively participated in various exchange activities and student work, which have significantly enriched my academic and professional development. I participated in the X-Lake/HIT webinar series, where I gained valuable insights into emerging technologies across different fields, including nanorobots and pathological diagnosis. These exposures have provided tremendous inspiration for my research endeavors. Additionally, I took part in salon exchange activities between Tsinghua University and Harvard University, during which I gained deep insights into Harvard’s academic exchange and cultural development support systems for students, broadening my understanding of diverse educational frameworks. Additionally, I took part in salon exchange activities between Tsinghua University and the Technical University of Munich, where I learned about TUM’s comprehensive cultivation and support system for student entrepreneurship. In terms of student work, I have been actively involved in organizing activities within the IOOI Geek Innovation Club, including 3D printing workshops and robotic arm operation sessions.