Meet Our Team!
SHECAN was founded and is run by a team of students passionate about computer science and engineering. Recognizing the systematic issues that have marginalized girls in engineering and computer science, we hope to take efforts through SHECAN to create inclusive environments, provide equal opportunities, and challenge stereotypes that are crucial to close the gender gap in these fields. Through initiatives that promote early exposure, educational support, mentorship, and community building, we work towards building a future where engineering and computer science embraces the diverse talents and perspectives of all individuals, regardless of gender.
Executive Board
More information coming soon!
Sophie Chen
Co-Founder/CEO
Sophie Chen is a senior whose interests include computer science and computational biology. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and participating in her school's Mock Trial team. Sophie has competed and placed in various competitions for math, CS, and engineering. She conducts research on the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology with Dartmouth and MIT. Sophie hopes to pursue biomedical engineering and inspire girls to develop a passion for CS and engineering, making lasting impacts in the community.
Rishi Sultana
Co-Founder
Rishi Sultana is a junior with a passion for computer science, biology, and gender equity. Outside of class, she crochets, competes with her school’s Mock Trial team, and leads her school’s Girl Up chapter as President. After coding for over four years, she has seen firsthand the gender imbalance in her field, particularly for women in low-income families. In the future, she hopes to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering and continue advocating for young women in her community and beyond.
Regional Directors
More coming soon! Interested in becoming a regional director? Sign up here!
Qawiyyat Bakare
Nigeria
I'm Bakare Qawiyyat, an introvert who finds joy in crocheting, literature, and writing. Creating handmade crochet pieces brings me happiness, while novels transport me to different realms. I'm passionate about crafting narratives through poetry and short stories, aiming to touch hearts. As head girl, I excel in leadership; collaborating for a memorable children's day event showcased my organizational skills. I'm a thoughtful and creative individual, seeking to make a positive impact on the world through my passions and experiences.
Nuha Mohamed
California, US
Nuha Mohamed is a freshman in college currently majoring in computational biology. She allocates her time for extracurriculars towards community service, having participated in food handouts and charity collections. She also enjoys teaching, having served as a substitute teacher and a mentor for fellow peers. Nuha is currently on the pathway to expanding her coding knowledge, and hopes to combine her passion for teaching with any new found knowledge.
Imanga Lufungulo
Ohio, US
Imanga is a junior who loves computer science, theater, and ultimately making the world a more equitable place for all. She is the vice president of her school’s African American Club as well as part of her schools student council serving on the inclusion cabinet. In addition to being active in her school, she loves solving issues and gaining computer science knowledge. She hopes that everyone has the chance to at least learn coding so that they too can unlock a love for CS. She hopes to major in computer in college
Dwibon Bhargab Deka
India
Dwibon is a recent high school graduate currently in a gap year, driven by a passion for computer science and a belief in equal tech opportunities for all. Having led the Student Council and captained the Quiz Team, he's well-versed in guiding peers and fostering unity. During his free time, he immerses himself in YouTube, seeking out captivating subjects. His future goal is to pursue a career in computer science and unlock its boundless potential.
Deepak Balasubramani
Minnesota, US
Deepak Balasubramani is a senior who is interested in computer science, machine learning, and helping others. He is a devoted member of Computer Science Club, and he is a Student Council Senator/Family head, as well as a Science Olympiad competitor at his school. He hopes to create a close-knit community within his school, and he loves to give back to the community through his constant volunteering. Outside of school and extracurricular activities, he likes to drink chai, bike, hang out with his friends, and loves to make new ones. He is passionate about the idea that "Coding is necessary for everyone," and strives to make sure that everyone, regardless of gender, should be able to learn coding. In the future, he hopes to double major in Computer Science and Data Science.
Temur Nurimov
Uzbekistan
Temur is a junior high schooler interested in computer science, football, and writing posts. In his free times, he enjoys writing post on Medium. Currently, Temur is learning web development. He is against lack of education, and currently trying to contribute his community. He believes, it is impossible to solve other problems without education!
Vaishnavi Moturi
Texas, US
Vaishnavi Moturi is a junior whose interests lie in computational neuroscience and social entrepreneurship. She is a comp-neuro researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and UTSW Medical Center and is also involved with cochlear implant research at UT Dallas. She has presented at an international conference, and placed at science fairs and international finance competitions. Outside of research, she loves running outdoors and leading public health & CS initiatives to better her community & spread her love for computer science to passionate, young girls.
Our Mentors
Join our team and help create a more equitable and innovative world for future generations!
Maya Trutschl
Mentor
Maya Trutschl is a sophomore who enjoys math and computer science. In addition to school, she also enjoys swimming and baking in her free time. Maya has competed in multiple science fairs with her projects focusing on engineering and computer science. She has been coding for the past 5 years and thoroughly enjoys it! In the future, Maya has hopes to continue in the field of engineering and space technology.
Siva Saikolappan
Mentor
Siva Saikolappan is an incoming sophomore who’s interested in biology, computer science, art, and music. She participates in activities such as musical theater, choir, Model UN, Quiz Bowl, and Mock Trial. She also engages in fencing, and was a state competitor for Plant Science. With an interest in taking a more active role in her community, she hopes to use this opportunity to help teach others while also learning more about computer science herself.
Jasmine Strickland
Mentor
Jasmine Strickland is a rising junior whose interests include Mocktrial, Cyberpatriot, MUN, Track, and JRTOC. She has an interest in coding, cybersecurity, and other related topics. She hopes to become more involved with her community and helping inspire people.
Micalee Wrightson
Mentor
Micalee Wrightson is a rising Junior who’s interests range from politics to theoretical physics. Micalee has always been fascinated by the world around her and developed a passion for music, art, science, philosophy, law, politics, and coding! She has humble beginnings in coding, starting when she was 8 playing a block based coding game called “Blocksworld”, she developed a passion for the creativity and abstract thinking that coding allows. She then tried another block based coding softwares and ran into Scratch during a online Harvard course. In 8th grade she attended a summer program at LSUS where she was taught how to use python to control a Lego robot! Micalee really enjoys robotics, however she also is working on her own small personal projects such as a text-story adventure! Micalee really hopes to spread her love for coding by helping spread the opportunities and experiences she has had to other women/people!
Vivian Vekovius
Mentor
Vivian Vekovius is an upcoming senior who has a love for Chemistry and Art. She enjoys spending her free time reading, playing tennis, and caring for her cat. Her computer science background consists of 2 years of Scratch in middle school, followed by AP Computer Science A in high school. She enjoys puzzles of all kinds, including the daily wordle. She is very excited to be given the opportunity to help others build their level of knowledge for computer science.
Sign up to mentor in our upcoming fall program!
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