Elisa Torres Durney is a dedicated Year 11 student at Colegio Champagnat in Chile. She is passionate about education, science, and making a positive impact on the world.
At just 16, Elisa founded Girls in Quantum, a non-profit organisation that provides free quantum computing resources to students worldwide. Her initiative has reached more than 500 students across 12 countries. Her work has also received recognition in national and international newspapers. Furthermore, her collaboration with IBM has helped expand the organisation’s reach.
Academic Achievements and Research Opportunities
Elisa has also pursued several academic opportunities. She participated in the Yale Young Global Scholars summer programme, where she completed a simulation project involving quantum computing and statistical analysis.
Additionally, she gained admission to two research programmes at the New York Academy of Sciences. These were the Junior Academy, which had a 6% international acceptance rate, and the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures programme.
Speaking at International Events
Elisa has received invitations to speak at conferences, seminars, and other global events. She has shared her insights with more than 6,000 people across over eight countries.
Her speaking engagements include the IBM town meeting, IBM Innovation Day, and the US-Switzerland Symposium at Uptown Basel. At the symposium, she was the youngest speaker among professors, scientists, and quantum leaders.
Research on Transcription Factors and Genomics
At CCIR Academy, Elisa conducted a research project titled “Bioinformatic Approaches in Transcription Factors and Genomics.”
Her study explored computational methods for analysing and interpreting data related to transcription factors and genomics. This research allowed her to investigate how computational tools can support the study of biological systems.
Elisa’s Research Journey at CCIR Academy
Elisa recently appeared in an episode of CCIR Academy Student Spotlights. She shared insights into her research project and reflected on her overall experience at CCIR Academy.
Congratulations to Elisa on her achievements in research, education, and science outreach!
Explore Your Research Interests
Are you interested in bioinformatics, genomics, or quantum computing? You can explore these fields through an original research project with guidance from experienced professor mentors.
Download the CCIR Research Programme Prospectus to explore our 170+ research areas. Learn about the Cambridge Future Scholar and 1-on-1 Research Mentorship programmes, discover professor mentors and student outcomes, and find information about scholarships and the application process.
