From having zero interest in computer science to presenting virtual reality research at an international conference, Ashley Chen’s journey shows what can happen when curiosity meets opportunity.
Ashley Chen is a Technovation alumna who participated from 8th through 12th grade (2017-2021). Ashley is now a second year PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates across multiple labs.
From Curiosity to Commitment
After graduating from high school, Ashley began her bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. During her undergraduate years, she completed two computer science internships, and it was during her second internship that she was first introduced to computer science research. She discovered that she genuinely enjoyed the process of asking questions, exploring ideas, and building knowledge through research. That experience led her to pursue research in academia, both at her home university and through a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at another institution. “These experiences made me realize that I really enjoyed research,” she shared. “That’s what ultimately led me to pursue a PhD.”
She is now about to begin her second year of her PhD program at UIUC, continuing to build on the foundation she first developed years earlier through Technovation.
Discovering a Passion for Research
One of the projects she’s most proud of came during her final year of undergraduate study, when she competed in the 2024 IEEE VR 3DUI Contest. The contest theme, “Developing Next-Gen Calculators Using 3D User Interfaces,” challenged participants to create a novel VR or 3D application to understand and solve a mathematical problem. Ashley Chen and her partner chose to focus on a complex multivariable calculus concept: solids of revolution. After many sleepless nights and working all the way up to the deadline, they completed their abstract and demo. Their work was selected, earning them an invitation to present at the 2024 IEEE VR Conference in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, they gave live demos of their application and received enthusiastic feedback from attendees, many of whom were established researchers in the field. “It was amazing to receive live feedback,” she said, adding that the conference itself was engaging and inspiring, filled with creative VR applications. And, as a bonus, the conference center was attached to Disney.
Technovation’s Role: Confidence, Collaboration, and Giving Back
What makes Ashley’s journey especially powerful is that computer science wasn’t always part of her plan. “To be honest, before Technovation, and even a couple of years into Technovation, I had zero interest in computer science,” she shared. “Now I’m basically coding every day.” She originally joined Technovation after a friend invited her to join a team. During her first two years, she focused entirely on the business elements of the project, working on pitch videos and business plans. Coding felt intimidating, and she assumed she wouldn’t be good at it. That changes thanks to encouragement from a Technovation mentor, who pushed her to give coding a try. “That’s when I discovered that I really like coding,” she said. “Technovation is the reason I decided to major in computer science in university.”
Technovation not only shaped Ashley Chen’s technical interests, but also her confidence and approach to collaboration. It was her first experience working across multiple teams, where she learned how to divide tasks, compromise, listen, and speak up with her own ideas. Those skills continue to serve her today. “Now in grad school, much of my research is multidisciplinary and involves working with multiple labs,” she shared. “Technovation helped me develop the foundational skills I need to do this work.”
Inspired by Technovation’s community driven model, Ashley has continued to give back. As an undergraduate, she served as head curriculum planner for Code the Gap, teaching Python to K-12 students to help increase diversity in STEM. As a graduate student, she mentors undergraduates through her lab and Bits & Bytes, supporting students as they transition into computer science programs.
Looking back, she wished she had been less hesitant to try new things and challenges the stereotype that STEM spaces are unwelcoming. While computer science can be male-dominated, she emphasizes that many communities are supportive and inclusive. Her advice to future participants is simple: “Just try it out. Technovation opened the door to so many opportunities, teaches skills beyond coding or business, and was a highlight of my high school experience.
✨ Inspired by Ashley’s journey?
Technovation Girls Minnesota is open to all girls ages 8–18 who want to turn their ideas into impact. Whether you are new to coding or already exploring tech, this program gives you the chance to build apps, solve real-world problems, and gain lifelong mentors and teammates.
👉 Sign up today to start your own Technovation journey: Register here