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California Institute of Technology

2024 Caltech Women's Volleyball Roster

4 Karen Cao

  • Height 5-5
  • Year First-Year
  • Hometown North Potomac, Md.
  • High School Montgomery Blair
  • Position L
  • Major Computer Science

Biography

Research and STEM Activities

Explored material similarity using graph-based crystal structure analysis and machine learning with Dr. William Ratcliff at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research (NIST NCNR), providing a framework to facilitate scientists for future categorization and discovery of new chemical materials... Developed various math models in Python and Excel in international competitions... Analyzed and proposed solutions to real world problems such as carbon dioxide emissions and opioid overdose. 

Prior to Caltech

Academic Honors: Meritorious Paper Award at the International High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM)... Honorable Mention in the Mathworks Math Modeling Challenge... Qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)... American Computer Science League (ACSL) Finalist... Won the Engineering Division at the Blair Senior Research Project Convention... AP Scholar with Distinction... Maryland Certificate of Merit... Science National Honor Society... Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society... Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Athletic Honors: 3rd Place at GJNC Nationals in the 18 American division... Double qualified for the 2022 GJNC Open Division... 1st place at the Northeast National Qualifier in the 16 Open Division... "Top Liberos to Watch at AAUs" by PrepDig Virginia... JVA National Watch List... All County Girls Volleyball Team Honorable Mention... Montgomery Blair HS Defensive Player of the Year... Virginia Elite Best Server Award.

Personal

Chose Caltech because of the incredible opportunities to conduct research, interact and learn with distinguished faculty members... Could also continue playing volleyball at the college level while pursuing her academic interests... Was first violinist in the Maryland All-State Senior Orchestra... Earned second place at the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition... Has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Statistics

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