Vivian H. Liu.

Hi, I'm Vivian Liu, a science researcher, origami enthusiast, and educational equity advocate working on creative solutions to food, water, energy, and sustainability challenges.

vivian.liu.2 [at] stonybrook [dot] edu

where I've worked

Experience

Simons Research Fellow

Stony Brook University · Internship

Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos · Stony Brook, New York, United States · On-site

Dr. Benjamin Hsiao's lab (hsiaoglobal.org) with Ph.D. candidate Eniola Arogunyo.
One of ~50 high school students conducting independent research through the Simons Summer Research Program (1.7% acceptance rate) on-site from June 29th to August 7th.

Co-Founder

Origami For Good · Self-employed

Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting mental wellness, sustainability, and cultural appreciation through origami.
Grew to 250+ chapters, 7,000+ volunteers, and 40,000+ followers, distributing 820,000+ origami pieces globally. Partnered with Krispy Kreme, Panda Express, and more.
Featured in Houston Chronicle, Scholastic Magazine, KHOU11, FOX26, Points of Light, iHeartRadio, and more. PVSA-certified, awarding thousands of service hours.

Instagram

Institute for Youth in Policy

Remote

Co-Director of Education Curriculum · Part-time

Jun 2026 - Present · 1 mo

Co-directed development of YIP's student-written civics curriculum and discourse-based workshops, building teacher resources piloted in classrooms across 7 states.

Public Policy Fellow · Internship

Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 · 3 mos

Selected as 1 of ~70 fellows (6-8% acceptance) to the YIP Spring Fellowship.
Published policy bill targeting systemic inequities in science research across Texas school districts.

Co-Founder & Lead Developer

Future Female Scholars · Self-employed

Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Designed and built our website alongside Claire Wang to connect teen tutors with students from underserved communities for free STEM tutoring.
1,000+ registered tutors globally and 100K+ followers on Instagram (@future.female.scholars).
Interviewed creators like Sloane Alex (2M+), Olivia Zhang (Forbes 30 Under 30, Diana Award recipient, L'Oréal Women of Worth), and Neel Shanmugam (Cluley, $120M+ co-founder).

UN Youth Advocate

UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY)

2026 · New York, New York, United States

Selected to attend the UN High-Level Political Forum 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York City.
Advocating for youth voices in global policy through YPS Forum and the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY).

YPS Forum

Mechanical Engineering Researcher

University of North Texas · Internship

May 2025 - May 2026 · 1 yr 1 mo · Denton, Texas, United States · On-site

Developing low-cost Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technologies for the detection of waterborne toxins alongside Ph.D. researchers under PI Dr. Taeyul Choi.
Recipient of a $4,000 merit-based scholarship. Qualified for the 2026 AJAS (American Junior Academy of Science) and an Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Grand and Special Award Winner.

ISEF Project: DiscSPR

UNT STEM Research Society

President

May 2026 - Present

Lead premier research-governance organization for UNT College of Engineering (7,000 students) and College of Science (3,660 students) to help undergrad/grad find research opportunities.
Elected President by UNT previous executives and Dr. Calvin A. Henard in May, 2026.

Member

2025 - May 2026

TAMS Research Organization (RO)

Advised TAMS-affiliated organization

Co-Competitions Director

May 2026 - Present

Official TAMS executive role preparing the organization for every research competition, including TJAS, TJSHS, ISEF, and other conferences.
Work with the executive team to run the ASPIRE initiative, building one-on-one research mentorships for students in underserved middle and elementary schools across Denton ISD.

Junior Coordinator

Nov 2025 - May 2026

Ran "TAMS Fair," a mock-presentation event featuring 25+ UNT research projects so students could rehearse for FWRSEF, TXSEF, and ISEF in front of professors.
Created promotional videos and 200+ flyers, and sold valograms to fund the event.

Instagram

Head of Content Strategy

The Perception Foundation · Part-time

May 2026 - Present · 2 mos · Remote

Work with founders, Maya and Lara Hammoud.
Grew @the_perception_foundation from 800 to 2,000+ followers on Instagram.

SWENext Influencer

Society of Women Engineers · Part-time

Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos · Remote

Working under Markita Riley.
Creating fun, engaging videos and Zoom lessons to inspire and support the next generation of girls in engineering.

Fluids and Geomechanics Intern

Premier Corex · Internship

Jun 2024 - Jul 2024 · 2 mos · Houston, Texas, United States · On-site

Paid Fluids Intern under Dr. Maggie Benge.
Contributed to geomechanics and fluid analysis projects, gaining hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and data interpretation.

where I've studied

Education

Y Combinator

2026 - Present

Selected for Y Combinator's Startup School 2026 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (July 25-26).
Learning from founders and researchers like Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Patrick Collison, with $25,000+ in startup compute credits.

Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

May 2025 - May 2027 · Grade: 11-12 · GPA: 4.0

Activities and societies: TAMS Research Organization (RO)
Undergraduate Research Fellow (URF) in the Mechanical Engineering and Energy Sciences track.

James E. Taylor High School

2023 - 2025 · Grade: 9-10 · GPA: 4.8182 · Rank: 2/879

Activities and societies: Student Council (2x elected Class Executive, 1 of 5 from 879 students), GEMS Club (Executive Officer), Asian Students Association (Executive Officer), Orchestra (3x UIL Solo & Ensemble Gold Medals; Grade 1 Superior rating)

honors and awards

Recognition

ISEF 3rd Grand Award, Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics

Society for Science

ISEF Special Award, Shanghai Science Association for Young Talents

Society for Science

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes ($10,000)

Young Heroes Project

Princeton Prize in Race Relations ($2,500)

Princeton University

"Best of Fair" and 1st Place Engineering, Senior Division

Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair (FWRSEF)

Special Awards: 1st Place - Water Environment Association of Texas Award; 1st Place - Stockholm Junior Water Prize Award; 1st Place - Office of Naval Research (U.S. Navy & Marine Corps) Award; 1st Place - Lockheed Martin Leadership Association Award

American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) Fellow

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

1st Place in Engineering II

George H.W. Bush Points of Light Honoree

Points of Light

Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) Student Hero

Texas Education Agency

Awesome Foundation Grant ($1,000)

Conservation and Climate chapter of the Awesome Foundation

YouthMADE Festival Amplify Grant ($500)

Digital Promise

TEDxThirdWard Speaker

TED Talks

1 of 10 TEDx Speakers Selected From 786 Applicants in Houston's Third Ward

Texas State Champion (1st Place), National Leadership Conference Qualifier

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

University of North Texas Research Scholarships

UNT Honors College

Undergraduate Research Fellow (URF) - Presented at AAAS Annual Meeting, UNT MIRS Conference "Best Poster," UNT Data Science Day, UNT Scholars Day, UNT Research Day, etc. Early Summer Research (ESR) Scholarship - $4,000 stipend and fully-funded scholarship; full-time MechE research (~40 hrs/week).

Canon Young Champion Finalist (Ongoing)

Global Good Awards

Senior Fellow

Institute for Youth in Policy

Named one of two Senior Fellows in a cohort of ~60 with a 6-8% acceptance rate

"Most Wonderful Girl" Award

James E. Taylor High School

Chosen by Assistant Principal Sandra Lacks, and awarded to one girl out of the 879 students in the class of 2027.

Neon Owl & Neon Turtle Owner

Roblox Adopt Me!

Traded up to Neon Owl (~800 RP) and Neon Turtle (~51.5 RP) in Adopt Me, retired-egg legendaries from 2019 versus ~1 RP for an average pet.

credentials

Certifications

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

CITI Program · Issued Sep 2025 · Expires Sep 2029 · Credential ID 69863908 · Show credential

CITI Program completion certificate for Responsible Conduct of Research (TAMS/Honors Basic RCR, Stage 1), completed September 2025 under requirements set by the University of North Texas. Covers research ethics, scientific integrity, and responsible research practices.

Basic Introduction to Biosafety

CITI Program · Issued Jun 2026 · Expires Jul 2027 · Credential ID 69863909 · Show credential

CITI Program completion certificate for Basic Introduction to Biosafety (Biosafety/Biosecurity, Stage 1), completed June 2026 under requirements set by the University of North Texas. Covers core biosafety practices and biohazard handling. Skills: Laboratory Safety, Research Ethics.

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