Karen Zhou
Computer Science, Business, Data Science at Caltech
Phone:
682-237-9848
Email:
School:
Caltech (Pasadena, CA 91125)
LinkedIn:
EXPERIENCE
June 2025-September 2025
PLIX AI
Intern
April 2025-June 2025
Bi 1 Teaching Assistant​
CALTECH
Serve as a course assistant for Caltech’s introductory biology course, leading weekly recitation sections and hosting office hours to support student learning and engagement. Collaborate with faculty and TAs to develop and refine assignments, provide academic mentorship, and grade assessments with an emphasis on scientific reasoning and problem-solving.
June 2024-September 2024
Researcher in Astrophysics
SURF
CALTECH
Using multiple unsupervised machine learning techniques to analyze photometric light curves of young stars in order to further understanding of early star formation processes under the guidance of Professor Lynne Hillenbrand in the PMA department.
May 2024-Present
Avionics Team
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CALTECH PARSEC
Developed backend logic for GUI features, integrating into a Python-based server to manage real-time data processing and system communication. Conducted system simulations using Gazebo in C++, enabling accurate testing and validation of system performance. Collaborated with a cross-functional team to enhance system reliability and optimize user interface interactions.
July 2023-September 2023
Researcher in CMS Department
FSRI
CALTECH
Surveyed, categorized, and compared the different ways of perception-based control in terms of their robustness to perception perturbation, from both theoretical guarantees to simulation comparisons.
December 2021-Present
Open Source Contributor
GITHUB
Created multiple GitHub repositories for Python and BigQuery implementations, including a convolutional neural network able to predict forest fires using Keras in Google Colab for my AP Research project.
May 2022-August 2022
Swim Instructor
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
Teaching swimming techniques, swimming strokes, and water safety rules to students with varying swimming abilities at Champions Club at The Marq.
June 2021-August 2021
Student
SUMMER STEM INSTITUTE
Utilized Python's data analysis libraries to design and conduct interdisciplinary data science research projects. Designed machine learning models for supervised settings and applied techniques such as multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and decision trees to these settings. Data science libraries used include numpy, pandas, matplotlib, and sklearn.
September 2021-May 2023
Chemistry Tutor
BYRON NELSON HIGH SCHOOL
Assisted high school pre-AP students with one-on-one tutoring.
EDUCATION
2019-2023
High School Diploma
BYRON NELSON HIGH SCHOOL
GPA 4.0 out of 4.0, class rank 1 out of 625
SAT 1570 out of 1600 (top 1% in the nation)
ACT 35 out of 36 (top 1% in the nation)
PSAT/NMSQT 1510 out of 1520 (top 1% in the nation)
2023-2027
CALTECH
Bachelor of Science
Relevant Coursework:
CS 155: Machine Learning and Data Mining
CS 38: Algorithms
CS 2: Programming Methods
CS 3: Software Design
CS 21: Decidability and Tractability
CS 24: Computing Systems
Me 8: Introduction to Robotics
Ma 1abc: Calculus of One and Several Variables and Linear Algebra
Ma 2: Differential Equations
Ma 3: Probability and Statistics
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Double Major in CS and Business
Minor in Information and Data Science
TOOLS/PLATFORMS
SKILLS
C/C++ - Advanced
Java - Advanced
Machine Learning- Advanced
Data Science - Proficient
Python - Advanced
Certified Oracle Cloud Professional
Research- Advanced
Web Design - Proficient
EXTRACURRICULARS AND HONORS
NCAA COLLEGIATE STUDENT ATHLETE
Compete as an NCAA Division III swimmer for Caltech, scoring at the SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), a highly competitive athletic conference featuring top-tier academic institutions in the region.
PEER ADVOCATE
Trained in mental health support, active listening, and crisis intervention in order to enhance the residential experience for students by providing resources, promote self-care, and foster a supportive and accountable community.
HEALTH ADVOCATE
Respond to situations within the campus community that requires emergency first-aid, attention to routine medical problems, peer counseling, or crisis intervention. Certified first responder with several Red Cross emergency services certifications upon completion of training.
VALEDICTORIAN
Highest ranked student in the graduating class of 2023 at Byron Nelson High School based on weighted GPA.
2023 NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST
Scored in the top 1% of 1.5 million high school students in the PSAT/NMSQT and judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
NORTHWEST ISD TRUSTEE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The highest and most prestigious district award given annually to exceptional students. Received 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
FIGHTING HEART AWARD
Voted as the swimmer who most inspires others and positively represents the organization as a whole with their dedication to the sport, excellent citizenship, and exemplary academics. Received for the 2019-2020, 2020-21, and 2021-22 seasons.
AP SCHOLAR WITH DISTINCTION
Demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through high performance on multiple AP exams.