17-year-old turns cancer treatment decisions into a 72-card game for students

Daniel ZhangPhoto: Tumor Tactics/ Instagram In a San Diego high school classroom, a deck of 72 cards sits on a desk, each one representing a different cancer treatment option, side effect or patient factor. The game built from these cards was designed to help young patients and their families visualise complex treatment decisions, turning abstract medical information into something they can hold, sort and discuss. Its creator is Daniel Zhang, a 17-year-old student and cancer researcher who has spent his teenage years bridging the worlds of oncology, game design and education outreach. Beyond the lab, Daniel has helped bring science, technology, engineering and math learning to more than 1,500 children through workshops, mentorship and community programmes. As profiled by Young Planet Leaders and in his own public posts, his work shows how a single idea, shaped by empathy and curiosity, can ripple outward into research, patient support and the next generation of STEM learners.Curiosity to research focusDaniel’s interest in science started early, nurtured by a family environment that placed a high value on learning and a personal interest in how things work. Like many students drawn ...