Computer Engineering · Mathematics · Machine Learning

Chloe
Gao

Dual-degree student at UVA studying Computer Engineering and Mathematics — building at the intersection of ML research, systems engineering, and real-world impact.

View resume ↗ GitHub See my work
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"Understand well as I may, my comprehension can only be an infinitesimal fraction of all I want to understand." — Ada Lovelace
About

Builder. Researcher.
Problem solver.

I'm a Computer Engineering and Mathematics student at the University of Virginia (GPA 3.76, Dean's List), with a minor in Philosophy and a year abroad at the University of Hong Kong. I'm drawn to work that sits at the intersection of technical rigor and real-world impact.

I've done ML research predicting material band gap properties using neural networks, built satellite testing infrastructure at ST Engineering iDirect, and shipped a first-place laser weed-removal system in an international engineering competition.

Incoming Software Engineering Intern at Appian this summer — always looking for the next hard problem worth solving with elegance and intention.

Python Java C PyTorch Scikit-Learn Flutter Dart Linux Git Google Colab JIRA
3.76
GPA · Dean's List
Dual degree — CE + Math
850+
Data points curated for ML research
1st
HK Engineering Pitching Competition
Experience

The journey so far

Jun 2026 – Aug 2026
UPCOMING
Software Engineering Intern
Appian
Incoming SWE intern for Summer 2026.
Jan 2025 – Aug 2025
Machine Learning Undergraduate Researcher
University of Virginia · Dean's Fellow
  • Designed and trained a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network to predict band gap properties for new materials given formula and structural information, using PyTorch and Scikit-Learn.
  • Achieved a Mean Squared Error of 0.12 and R² of 0.907 via the Lion optimizer, cross-validation, and Bayesian hyperparameter optimization.
  • Built a curated database of 850+ data points sourced from academic literature on experimentally measured bandgap properties of semiconducting materials at room temperature.
May 2024 – Aug 2024
Engineering Intern
ST Engineering iDirect
  • Implemented ThreadSanitizer (TSAN) across 30+ C repositories, identifying 2 data races and improving code quality and concurrency safety.
  • Designed a PyTest suite for break-before-make satellite beam switching as part of a blackbox testing initiative.
  • Participated in all phases of the SDLC using Agile/Scrum methodologies, presenting progress daily to a team of 9.
  • Developed end-to-end knowledge of satellite communication ground and over-the-air systems.
Sep 2023 – Present
Electrical Team Engineer
Virginia Motorsports Formula Student Team
  • Led redesign of the Brake System Plausibility Device (BSPD), enhancing reliability and compliance within the electric vehicle's emergency shutdown system for the Formula SAE competition.

Academic foundation

University of Virginia
B.S. Computer Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science
B.S. Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences
Minor in Philosophy
Charlottesville, VA · Expected May 2027
GPA: 3.76 / 4.00
Engineering Dean's List Dean's Fellow (ML Research)
University of Hong Kong
Study Abroad
Hong Kong · Aug 2024 – May 2025
Relevant coursework: Applied Deep Learning, Data Structures & Algorithms, Computer Systems & Organization, Ordinary Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Probability, Basic Real Analysis, Intro to Stochastic Processes
Full resume ↗
Work

Selected projects

ML Research
Gradient Descent vs. Diffusion in Neural Networks

Comparative experiments evaluating training dynamics of gradient descent and diffusion-based methods across MLPs and 1D CNNs on a synthetic S-shaped dataset. Investigated model depth, layer width, and activation functions systematically.

PyTorch Jupyter Python
Mobile · Computer Vision
ML Parasite Egg Detection App

Led all software initiatives for a mobile app that detects parasite eggs using a Roboflow object detection model. Built a RESTful API with Python Flask, communicated directly with the client to gather requirements, and delivered the final product demo.

Python Flask Roboflow REST API
Hackathon · Mobile
Foreign Language OCR Translator

Built at the UVA Women in CS Hackathon — a mobile app that lets users upload photos from their camera roll, detects foreign language text via OCR, and translates it to English in real time.

Flutter Dart OCR
View all on GitHub ↗

Let's build
something together

Whether you have a project in mind, a role to fill, or just want to connect — I'm always open to a conversation.