Founder · Researcher · Athlete

Darren Wang

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Portrait of Darren Wang
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1,100+
STAPEX Community Members
6
Independent Research Projects
1
Filed Patent
10
Core Activities
About

My interest in e-bikes started with a practical problem — wanting to ride one in a city where motorcycles are banned — and grew into a company. That work led me into policy research, and then into economics more broadly. Across most of what I do, I'm drawn to systems that seem fixed and interested in whether they actually have to be.

I'm a student at American Heritage School, where I split my time between independent research, theatre production, and an aquaculture project — alongside football.

Entrepreneurship Policy Research Economics Athletics Theatre Aquaculture
Featured Venture

STAPEX E-Bike Startup

Founder · Grades 10–12

Street-legal e-bikes for cities where motorcycles aren't allowed

Over 200 cities in China ban motorcycles outright, which leaves a real gap for anyone who wants that kind of ride without breaking the law. I started STAPEX to fill it — designing e-bikes around the regulations rather than in spite of them, so compliance is built into the product rather than added on afterward. The company now has a community of 1,100+ riders across Rednote and Instagram who advocate for more sensible micro-mobility policy.

200+
Cities Addressed
1,100+
Community Members
3
Years Running
Learn More
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Product photo / demo video
Research & Policy Work

Independent research and policy work.

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Photo / survey data
Founder & Lead Researcher
Rethinking One-Size-Fits-All: A Nationwide Survey of Motorcycle Ban Policies and Reform Proposals
Independent Research, advised by Prof. Dong Jichang, UCAS
Running STAPEX raised a question worth investigating on its own: why do so many cities apply the same blanket motorcycle ban regardless of local conditions? I conducted surveys and interviews across restricted cities to study how one-size-fits-all bans distort local markets, then developed reform proposals for more evidence-based policy.
Grades 11–12
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Interview recording
Producer & Host
EV Globalization Industry Interview
Interview with a fellow electric-vehicle brand founder
I interviewed another EV founder about what it takes to sell electric vehicles internationally. Together we mapped six regional markets — trade barriers, carbon-tariff pressure, and localization strategy — and how Chinese EV brands are adapting as the geopolitical landscape shifts.
Grade 11, Summer
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Photo
Student Researcher
Mixue vs. Pangdonglai Study
Independent research
A comparative study of two retail giants with opposite growth models: Mixue's franchise network versus Pangdonglai's direct-owned stores. I used transaction cost and institutional theory to analyze what each model protects against and why.
Grade 10, Summer
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Student
Stanford Philosophy Summer School — The Nature of Evil
Stanford University
A two-week program on Hannah Arendt's concept of the banality of evil and its implications for moral responsibility. I applied the frameworks from the seminar to debate contemporary issues, including trade sanctions and algorithmic bias.
Grade 9, Summer
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Photo / chart
Independent Researcher
Adolescent Well-Being Study
Independent research
A two-year mixed-method study examining how identity, health, and stress present in teenagers' daily lives — through fashion, fitness, and recreational activity. I collected survey and biometric data from 150+ peers and translated the findings into practical mental health strategies.
Grades 10–11
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Photo
Founder
Eco-Aquaculture Project
Mentored by CAS Prof. Yang
Drawing on five-plus years of freshwater and marine aquarium experience, I designed a microplastic-removal system that filters out 90%+ of contaminants and structured the project as a self-sustaining social enterprise.
Grades 11–12
Beyond the Desk

On the field, on stage, on the water.

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Game footage
Cornerback
Beijing Predators Football Club
China's Amateur American Football League
I apply game theory principles to reading opponent formations, which improved my defensive coverage by 25%. I also mentor two rookie players on positioning and conditioning.
Grades 10–11
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Show photo / clip
Cast & Props Lead
WAVES Musical Theatre
Cast & Props Lead
I performed in two productions in front of 800+ attendees while managing a props team of five, balancing rehearsals with academics and coordinating across performance and production responsibilities.
Grade 11
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Photo
Certification
ACA Level-2 Kayaking Certification
American Canoe Association
I earned my ACA Level-2 Kayaking certification in 7th grade and continued three additional years of self-directed advanced training, focused on river rescue technique.
Grades 8–10
Honors & Awards

Recognition along the way.

Patent: Electric Racing-Style Motorcycle (Patent No. 202630114958.7)
Grade 11
National
Diamond Challenge 2026 — Global Semi-Finalist, Pitch Round
Grade 11
International
iENA International Innovation Competition 2026 — China Region Finalist
Grade 11
International
Nominated for Outstanding Project Award, school PBL (Project-Based Learning) program
Grades 10–11
School
World Scholar's Cup 2023 — Yale Global Round Qualifier & Xiamen Global Round Individual Award
Grade 9
International
Get In Touch

Let's talk.

Open to conversations about micro-mobility, policy research, and anything in between.

Email Me See STAPEX