Hello! My name is Semyon Zharkov, but I usually go by Syoma. I am a first-year at Stanford University planning to study Mathematics and Computational Biology. Before that I went to Manhattan High School while concurrently enrolled in Kansas State University, where I was the President of the MHS Math Club and Vice President for the school's robotics team. In my free time I enjoy laser-cutting, sewing, backpacking, and playing tennis.
My email is syoma[at]stanford[dot]edu. Never hesitate to email me if you have any questions, queries, cries for help about my work or projects.
Some of my favorite projects.
A vision-guided hooded turret for my FRC team's (5968) 2026 robot that I designed, built, wired, and programmed. It auto-aims from camera pose estimates and can shoot while the robot is driving. We qualified for Worlds two years in a row.
youtube.comA tool that slices 3D models into layers and exports laser-cuttable SVGs, with automatic nesting and dowel holes for lining the layers up. I used it to make a layered statue of me and a friend.
GitHub.comA 3D dartboard in the browser where you can pin any text or image as the target. All the materials and sounds are generated procedurally, no external assets.
GitHub.io/digital-dartboardA typing practice app that turns any Wikipedia article into a typing test with live WPM and accuracy.
GitHub.io/WikiTypeAn AI sign language learning app that uses sign recognition to provide feedback.
devpost.comA repository of Math explainers I created on various interesting mathematical concepts that I presented weekly at MHS Math Club.
GitHub.comA web-based GUI for a digital annealing class Scheduling Algorithm specialized to simplify dual enrollment between Manhattan High School and Kansas State University.
GitHub.io/Schedules-for-AlgernonAn interactive game meant for learning Algebra 2 concepts in a fun way. Playable in browser :)
itch.ioA trifecta of my laser cutting, 3D printing, and animation experience. Made as a gift for our school's Homecoming dance.
Image GalleryA voice activated assistant that can control LEDs above a piano keyboard to show what notes to play and help you learn different songs.
devpost.comA compilation of my favorite math visualizations that I've created for homeworks or just for fun.
link to PDFA driving simulator setup using laser cut cardboard and an Arduino intended as a cheap way for people to learn driving.
devpost.comOrganized and Marketed a fundraiser Poker event on behalf of MHS Math Club. Participants would compete for various home-made prizes. All profits went to PiH to fight maternal Mortality.
instagram.comA collection of 400+ pages of Translated homework from the renowned Russian textbook "Kiselev's Geometry: Planimetry" that I created over time for my Tutees.
drive.google.comA web-app aimed to simplify voter research. Scrapes the web for information and voting records on a politician then uses LLMs to neatly summarize it.
devpost.comNot really a specific project but sewing is too big a part of my life to not mention it. I included my favorite garments that I've designed and made below
Garment GalleryThese are in order, most recent first
Current Classes:
A proof-based honors sequence covering linear algebra and multivariable calculus, including vector spaces, linear maps, differentiation and integration in several variables, and the inverse and implicit function theorems.
Honors introductory physics covering Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, rotational motion, oscillations, and special relativity.
Computational techniques for investigating and designing the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of biomolecules and cells, including molecular simulation, structure prediction, and image analysis.
Past Classes:
Orthogonal functions, Fourier series, and boundary value problems, used to solve PDEs like the heat, wave, and Laplace equations by separation of variables.
Special relativity and quantum mechanics including time dilation, wave–particle duality, Schrödinger equation, and applications to atomic systems.
Axiomatic probability, random variables, probability distributions, conditional distributions, transformation methods, and convergence theory.
Provides a rigorous introduction to the fundamental concepts of linear algebra. Topics include vector spaces, linear operators, matrix representations, systems of linear equations, determinants, spectral theory, and inner product spaces. Emphasis is placed on mathematical reasoning and proof writing, blending abstract theory with concrete computational techniques.
Fundamentals of electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves, and optics, following Halliday, Resnick, and Walker (6th ed.). Topics include electric fields, circuits, magnetism, EM waves, and wave optics, with an introduction to quantum physics.
Functions of one variable; limits, continuity, differentiability, Riemann-Stieltjes integral, sequences, series, power series, improper integrals.
Logical formalisms used to model and reason about computer systems. Propositional and predicate logic, syntax, semantics, and proof theory; soundness and completeness issues. Mathematical induction. Program verification: invariants and program logics.
A study of common data and program structures together with associated algorithms. Topics include interfaces, design patterns, arrays, stacks, queues, lists, trees, hash tables, recursion, binary search, and tree traversals. Experience with both use and implementation of these structures and algorithms using a modern programming language. Discussion of tradeoffs involving performance and software maintainability.
Combinatorics and graph theory. Topics selected from counting principles, permutations and combinations, the inclusion-exclusion principle, recurrence relations, trees, graph coloring, Eulerian and Hamiltonian circuits, block designs, and Ramsey Theory.
Provides the second semester of an integrated approach to linear ordinary differential equations, Picard’s Theorem, limits and continuity in many variables, partial derivatives, optimization problems, integration of functions of several variables, Fubini’s Theorem, integration of differential forms and Generalized Stokes’ Theorem.
Provides the first semester of an integrated approach to linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and ordinary differential equations with specific topics including vector spaces, linear transformations, solutions to matrix equations, dimension, rank, eigenvalues, inner products, Sylvester’s Theorem, multi-linear algebra, vector valued functions, vector fields and general ordinary differential equations.
An introduction to the resources and tools for building basic personal finance skills that last a lifetime.
This is all the miscellaneous stuff that didn't fit into any of the sections but I still wanted to include.
click here to see my GitHub which has the code for most of my projects, including this website.
click here to see my YouTube
click here to see some of the silly games I made a long time ago. These were some of my first ever large programming projects
click here to read a random article from a list of Wikipedia articles that I found interesting