Lauren Khoo, a recent Rice University alumna, was named the recipient of the Computer Science Department's annual Jason Chahin Innovation and Excellence Award. Each spring, the award is presented to a graduating senior who has done well in computer science courses, but also has made additional contributions, either to the department, university, or community.
Khoo completed her bachelor of science degree requirements in seven semesters while remaining actively engaged in CSters, the community of support for women in computer science.
Her participation in the CSters Big and Little Sister mentorship program led to an early internship with Spiceworks. Khoo said she so appreciated the club's industry connections, tech talks, study breaks, and continuous support for women in the major that she wanted to give back to the group and served as co-president in her junior and senior years.
After spending two summers as a Microsoft intern, she accepted their offer to return as a product manager.