Zhien Li

Petrus Gaginistraat 51, 6217GG, Maastricht, Netherlands

+31 0613085599 | kenli@nyu.edu | Site: www.lizhien.me

Profile Summary

I am a learning science researcher and instructional designer with background in medical education and digital media. Experienced in developing simulation-based experience and technology-enhanced solution. Current doctoral research focuses on instructional design for knowledge acquisition and transfer through authentic cases and peer dialogue in medical and health professions simulation education.

Education

Ph.D. Candidate in Education Technology | Maastricht University JUNE 2022 – PRESENT
  • Research Focus: Instructional Design, Virtual Patients (VPs), Learning Science, Education Technologies, Feedback.
  • Thesis: Investigating the Integration of VPs in class to foster knowledge acquisition and transfer.
Master of Science in Digital Media | New York University | GPA 3.85 / 4 MAY 2013
  • Key coursework: Game Design, HCI/User Experience, Media Study, Web Development, Video for New Media.
Bachelor in Broadcast Engineering | Communication University of China in Nanjing | GPA 3.23 / 4 JUN 2010
  • Minor: Public Relationship & Marketing

Publications

Li, Z., et al. (2024). Perception of enhanced learning in medicine through integration of VPs. BMC Medical Education.
Li, Z., et al. (under review). Enhancing Clinical Reasoning with VPs: The Role of "What-If" Discussions. Medical Education
Li, Z., et al. (under review). How feedback discussions influence medical students' clinical reasoning skill. Medical Teacher
Li, Z., et al. (in preparation) Contextualized learning empowered by peer dialogue: A Intervention in Biology and Health.

Another 5 publications available at ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2223-8940

Conference Presentations & Awards

  • Best Presentation Award, International Health Professions Education Virtual Conference, 2024.
  • Paper Presentation: The Role of "What-If" Discussions, AMEE Conference, 2025.
  • Paper Presentation: How feedback discussions influence clinical reasoning skills, EARLI Conference, 2025.
  • Second Place, Brightlands Startup Challenge – Overstep: AI-assisted learning tool, 2024.
  • NYU High GPA Schoolarship Reward (3000$ x 2 times)
  • Recognized CTB Research Coach, China Think Big competition.
  • Code.org Certified CS teacher (Microsoft-led online CS teaching platform).
  • Xiamen Backbone Software Engineer

Project & Experience

CS TEACHER, LMS MANAGER, COORDINATOR | FARRAGUT ACADEMY DONGGUAN JUN 2020 TO JUN 2022

Admiral Farragut Academy Dongguan is Chinese branch of an American high school headquartered in Tampa, FL

  • Designed and taught Computer Science curriculum for Grades 6–12, including AP-level content.
  • Introduced SRL techniques to Grade 12, focusing on goal setting, time management, and metacognition.
  • Incorporated PBL, gig saw and peer collaboration strategies, helping students develop problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.
  • Coached China Think Big (CTB) research competition teams, achieving a national third-place award.
  • Managed various digital learning platforms (Xiaobao, Gradelink, myON, and Code.org) and developed data-driven e-portfolio systems for academic tracking.
ACADEMIC PROJECTS IN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY JAN 2012 TO MAY 2013
  • 3D Earthquake Data Visualization: Built a real-time earthquake data visualization in Unity 3D using USGS data; utilized joystick and Leap Motion for HCI exploration research.
  • VR Campus Experience: Recreated NYU Engineering campus in Unity for an immersive navigation experience.
  • Motion-Controlled Webcam Game: Built an accessible Java-based interaction prototype using simple color cues.
  • Accelerometer-Based Arduino Game: Showcased at NY Game Expo 2012; Created a playful alternative interaction methods.
SENIOR FRONT-END ENGINEER | RINGCENTRAL CORP (NYSE: RNG) OCT 2015 TO JUN 2020
  • Built and maintained enterprise-level front-end features (React.js, Angular.js).
  • Implemented internationalization (i18n) for multilingual product deployment.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience and platform stability.
WEB DEVELOPER | CITI GROUP (NYSE: C) | BUFFALO, NY APR 2014 TO JUL 2015
  • Maintained financial web content and newsletters ensuring branding and accessibility standards.
WEB DEVELOPER | EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY JUL 2012 TO FEB 2014
  • Developed collaborative visualization (like Google Doc) and data negotiation tools using JavaScript (jQuery).

Skills & Expertise

  • Instructional Design: Instructional design, simulation-based learning, cognitive load, knowledge transfer, qualitative & mixed-methods research.
  • Technical Proficiency: All type of programming languages (like Python, JavaScript, React, H5, CSS) Unity, AI tool prototyping, data visualization.
  • Teaching: Computer Science, Digital Media.

I am currently actively looking for a position in the Netherlands in academia or educational software development. I believe there is a big change on how people learn and how we should implement tools for learning. If you would like to change the educational world with me, shoot me an email at kenli@nyu.edu or zhien.li@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Profile Summary

Full-stack / front-end software engineer with 8+ years of professional experience in large-scale product development (React, Angular, JavaScript, Python) and a strong background in HCI, UX, and interactive system design. Experienced in building scalable web applications, internationalization (i18n), and cross-team collaboration. Recent work includes AI-assisted learning tools and simulation-based educational applications. Bringing a hybrid background in software engineering + digital media + educational technology, with the ability to design, build, and ship user-focused products.

Skills & Expertise

  • Languages: JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript, Python, HTML5, CSS3, SQL, Mongo.
  • Frameworks & Libraries: React.js, Angular.js, Vue.js, Node.js, Flask
  • Tools: Git, Webpack, Docker, Jira, CI/CD
  • Specialties: Front-end architecture, i18n, UX prototyping, AI-assisted tools, Web performance optimization
  • Other: Unity3D, Data visualization, LMS integrations, EdTech product design

Professional Experience

CO-FOUNDER & ENGINEER | QINGREN EDU TECH CORP | DONGGUAN, CN JUN 2020 TO JUN 2022
  • Developed School Management system and student report system.
  • Collaborate with secondary school teachers to develop a level-based reading platform.
  • Teach Computer Science
SENIOR FRONT-END ENGINEER | RINGCENTRAL CORP (NYSE: RNG) | XIAMEN, CN OCT 2015 TO JUN 2020
  • Developed and maintained front-end features for a global enterprise communication platform (think of Teams) used by millions of users.
  • Built complex UI components with React.js in a large modular codebase.
  • Implemented global internationalization (i18n) infrastructure enabling multi-market product release.
  • Collaborated with designers, backend teams, and product managers across distributed teams with Scrum flow.
  • Improved UI performance and reduced load time through code splitting and caching strategies.
WEB DEVELOPER | CITI GROUP (NYSE: C) | BUFFALO, NY APR 2014 TO JUL 2015
  • Maintained and updated financial web portals under strict branding and security guidelines.
  • Built reusable UI components and content templates to support fast iteration cycles.
  • Coordinated with QA and design teams to ensure accessibility and cross-browser compatibility.
WEB DEVELOPER | EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY JUL 2012 TO FEB 2014
  • Built collaborative data-negotiation tools (think of google doc) using JavaScript (jQuery, JSPlumb, Gridster).
  • Developed real-time interactive interfaces for remote teams.
  • Contributed to UX and workflow design for internal productivity apps.

Other Projects

  • Overstep, an AI based language learning tool. Fully self-developed, allow user to learn any language from any mother tone.
  • Several game developments with Unity and RPG Maker.
  • Build websites, brand with help of AI (go to https://lizhien.me/ to see works)

Selected Rewards

  • Best Presentation Award, International Health Professions Education Virtual Conference, 2024.
  • Paper Presentation: The Role of "What-If" Discussions, AMEE Conference, 2025.
  • Paper Presentation: How feedback discussions influence clinical reasoning skills, EARLI Conference, 2025.
  • Second Place, Brightlands Startup Challenge – Overstep: AI-assisted learning tool, 2024.
  • NYU High GPA Schoolarship Reward (3000$ x 2 times)
  • Recognized CTB Research Coach, China Think Big competition.
  • Code.org Certified CS teacher (Microsoft-led online CS teaching platform).
  • Xiamen Backbone Software Engineer

Education

Ph.D. Candidate in Education Technology | Maastricht University JUN 2022 – PRESENT
  • Research Focus: Virtual Patients (VPs), Learning Science, Education Technologies, Instructional Design, Feedback.
  • Thesis: Investigating the Integration of VPs in class to foster knowledge acquisition and transfer.
Master of Science in Digital Media | New York University | GPA 3.85 / 4 MAY 2013
  • Key coursework: Game Design, HCI/User Experience, Media Study, Web Development, Video for New Media.
Bachelor in Broadcast Engineering | Communication University of China in Nanjing | GPA 3.23 / 4 JUN 2010
  • Minor: Public Relationship & Marketing

I am currently actively looking for a position in the Netherlands in academia or educational software development. I believe there is a big change on how people learn and how we should implement tools for learning. If you would like to change the educational world with me, shoot me an email at kenli@nyu.edu or zhien.li@maastrichtuniversity.nl.