Dr. Chao graduated with a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town in December 2015. Her research focusses on supporting learners from resource-constrained environments, to learn programming on their mobile phones. Dr. Chao holds an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Oxford and a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from Kenya Methodist University.

Dr. Chao has won several awards and received a number of recognitions for her academic achievements and contribution to research and mentorship. For example, she was a recipient of the Schlumberger Faculty for the Future award in 2015 and was also selected as one of 200 young researchers worldwide in Mathematics and Computer Science to attend the Heidelberg Laureate Forum in in the same year. In 2014, Dr. Chao was one of the winners of the 2014 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship (EMEA).

Dr. Chao is currently a Researcher and Lecturer in the department of Computer Science at Kenya Methodist University. She also actively participates in mentorship initiatives for students, currently running a 6-month all-gender mentorship program for undergraduate students of Computer Science.