Ashley M.

About Ashley M.

Currently a student who completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Very interested in the medical/healthcare field. Though I do not have any professional experience within the medical field, I am eager to gain internship positions that would broaden my knowledge/expose me to entry-level experience. In college, I aspire to study chemical engineering and mathematics, with an emphasis on computer science/programming, and minor in math and physics. In the future, I plan to earn an MS in computational biology or computational neuroscience and a Ph.D. in chemistry after my undergraduate studies.

Experience

1. Tedxvcu Speaker

   TED Conferences

   Apr 2025 — Present · Richmond, VA, US

   So you want to give a TEDx talk?A quick guide to forming the perfect talk or performance for TEDxVCUWhat makes a strong TEDx Talk?A TEDx Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting innovative, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes.Ideas Worth SpreadingYour idea should be something that\'s new and surprising, or a great existing idea with a compelling new argument that challenges beliefs and perspectives.Short but SweetA TEDx Talk should be under 18 minutes, pulling the audience in to deliver a succinct and engaging concept in a brief amount of time.What are some starting points?We know that applying to be a speaker can be tricky or intimidating. To make the starting process a bit easier, here is a list of the types of Talks that we may and may not consider for our event.What do we look for?We would love to see any Talks that could fall under the following categories:Solutions-oriented Talk - provides the audience with a solution to address a problem of any scale.Innovation-based Talks - explores the nuances of modern technology or theory, or introduces something brand-new and exciting.Demonstration-based Talks - engages the audience with a physical demonstration that underlies the Talk\'s message.What might we pass on?When drafting your Talk, consider reframing it to avoid any of the following frameworks:Intentionally divisive Talks - these types of Talks can alienate the audience.Philosophical arguments - while we appreciate abstract food-for-thought, we look for Talks that have a tangible connection to our community.Pseudo-science - all scientific claims should be evidence-based.Performing at TEDxVCUTEDx performances can include tech demos, artistry, dance, lyrical/spoken word, music, and more. To avoid issues with copyright, you must own or have the rights to use all content in your performance.

Education

• Girls Who Code

  Fall Self-Paced Program, Computer Science

• Tidewater Regional Governor’s School

  FBI Camp, Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Columbia Engineering

  Columbia Engineering Experience (CE2) Virtual Program , Engineering

• Moonshot Pirates

  Shape the Future Challenge 2025, Climate Change

• Girls Who Code

  Summer Self-Paced Program, Computer Science

• University of Virginia

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Chemical Engineering

• America Needs You

  FirstGenU Career Institute: Spring 2025

• Girls Who Code

  Summer Immersion Program, Computer Science

• International Baccalaureate

  IB Diploma, Diploma Programme

• Harvard Medical School

  Seminar, Genome Engineering Seminar Series (GESS)

• George Mason University

  Coursera, Google Certificate Program

• Stanford University School of Medicine

  LMICs Radiology Free Webinar Series, Radiology