Grace Chenxin Liu

At just 17 years old, Grace C. Liu is a youth researcher, global advocate, voice of Gen Z, and social entrepreneur who brings a rare and compelling perspective to the stage: how curiosity becomes power when young people are trusted with real problems and real tools to solve them.

Liu’s journey began with a question many students are never encouraged to ask: Who gets access to research, and who is left out? What started as personal frustration with inequitable access to research opportunities has grown into a global movement to democratize research education. Today, Liu is the founder of Research To Empower (ReTE), an international nonprofit that delivers free, accessible, and engaging entry-level research education to K–12 students worldwide, lowering barriers to participation in academic research and innovation. ReTE has reached 250,000+ students across 151 countries. Through its growing global reach and impact, ReTE has earned recognition as a student-led initiative officially endorsed by UNESCO under the UN Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033). In addition to her nonprofit work, Grace is the author of "Research to Empower," published by Post Hill Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster worldwide, further reinforcing her commitment to expanding access to research education and academic opportunities.

A sought-after speaker, Liu has delivered keynotes and remarks at global platforms including the United Nations, TEDx, the International Telecommunication Union, the Society of Women Engineers, the National Youth Leadership Council, and the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), inspiring audiences to reimagine youth as leaders.

Liu’s impact has been recognized internationally. She is a 2025 Chegg Global Student Prize Top 10 Finalist—the only U.S. student selected from 11,000 applicants—and an Honoree in the Faces of Impact 100 and Future Minds’ 25 Under 25. Her additional honors include the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Special Award, Science Talent Search (STS) Scholar distinction, Diamond Challenge Grand Prize, World Science Scholar, and WomenTech Global Rising Star.

Beyond the stage, Liu serves in leadership roles with organizations such as the United Nations Major Group for Children &a Youth, National Youth Leadership Council, the Science Summit at UNGA, WomenTech Network, and the Riley’s Way Foundation. Her work has been featured by CBS, TED, Newsday, News 12, and many more major news outlets. Audiences leave her talks inspired and equipped to turn curiosity into action and build systems that expand opportunity for the next generations.