Ollie Tucker
University Of Reading
BCS Computer Science
๐ Background
I grew up in Hampshire, UK ๐ฟ, with family roots stretching all the way to New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ and St Lucia ๐ด in the Caribbean.
I studied at Salesian College Farnborough, where I achieved 9 GCSEs ๐ with grades ranging from 5 (B) to 8 (A*). I then attended Salesian College Sixth Form, completing A, A, and B in A Levels, including Computer Science ๐ป which i am now persuing at university.
Iโm now studying BSc Computer Science at the University of Reading ๐, where Iโve achieved a First throughout my first year. My academic interests lean heavily towards emerging technologies, especially Virtual Reality ๐ฅฝ, which fascinates me with its potential to transform industries and redefine how we experience the world.
Outside of academics, Iโm 19 and enjoy a mix of activities that keep me thinking and moving. Iโm an enthusiastic rock climber ๐ง, a competitive chess player โ๏ธ, and a casual skateboarder ๐น. In my downtime, I love gaming ๐ฎ and piano. My favourite video game title of all time is Resident Evil 4, and my favourite piano piece is a clair de lune
I believe in always pushing myself to learn, create, and connect whether thatโs through my studies, hobbies, or meeting new people from around the world ๐.
๐ Accomplishments
- Won my sixth forms Computer Science award as a result of my impressive python project.
- Achieved 2nd place nationally in the Tycoon Enterprise Business Competition (Peter Jones Foundation) 2024
- Won the "Best rating performance award" in the challengers section of the University Of Readings first ever Rapid Chess Congress
๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ Projects
Visualising Shortest Path Algorithms with Python
This was my first real world project. Aiming to help my computer science teacher teach the pathfinding algorithms topic in my A-levels, I developed a fully interactive graph visualiser where you can create your own custom graphs and run multiple pathfinding algorithms on them.
A visual implementation was key to help his students understand how algorithms like Dijkstra/A* work. All code and resources are fully open-source, making it easy for others to explore, adapt, or build upon my work. Scroll down to the links section below to access the public git hub repository with the source code and the 100+ development write up.
three.js portfolio website
You're looking at the finished product. I was experimenting with Three.js, a 3d web development too, and wanted to make a unique portfolio website to showcase my achivements and my web development skills. I plan to use other technologies like react to redesign this in the future.
Visualising Shortest Path Algorithms with Javascript
I have recreated my first project, attending to all of the projects shortcomings. It now runs 90% faster, has extra features, is bug free and runs on your browser!
Go to ollietucker.com/shortestpath or Click Here to see it
Game lookup - A react.js project
To help me learn the react.js framework, i built a simple game lookup application using RAWGs database with api calls. This project gave me a good understanding of how react.js projects work and how to utilise api calls into my future projects.
Simply press the home button and you can see the most popular games, their ratings, release date etc. You can also look up games and add them to a favourites tab.
Current project: Dictate Chess - A chrome extention
Dictate Chess is a Chrome extension i built that lets you play chess.com hands-free using voice commands.
By speaking square coordinates like โe2 e4โ or โb1 c3,โ the extension clicks and moves pieces automatically, making gameplay hands-free. It was my first full project in browser extension development, where I learned to integrate speech recognition with dynamic web pages.
Beyond accessibility, Dictate Chess also helps players improve their board vision and train for blindfold chess by reinforcing move coordinates verbally. Iโm actively developing future updates, including support for more natural chess notation and move announcements.
Search "Dicate Chess" on the chrome web store or Click Here to install
Dictate Chess: Chrome extention
Shortest path visualiser: web project
Game lookup: React.js project
๐ทโโ๏ธ Work History
Chess Tutor - Chess In Schools And Communities [2025 - ongoing]
This role involves teaching a class of primary school children chess from the ground up in a fun/interactive way, highlighting it's cognitive and health benefits
Gained teaching and time management skills, as i need to be punctual for my lessons.
UOR Event Team Student Ambassador [2025 - ongoing]
Event Team Student Ambassador help deliver university events such as open days or communiy festivals. Most common assignments include giving campus tours and wayfinding for events, with the main goal of ensuring event guests have a positive experience
Representing the university in this role helped me develop advocating and customer service skills
UOR GRTUK Student Ambassador [2025 - ongoing]
Focuses on global recruitment which includes subject taster days, school visits, summer schools etc... . It involves being a role model to young people and prospective applicants.
This role helped me gain public speaking skills from โstudent lifeโ presentations and critical thinking skills from student Q&A sessions.
Lourdes Pilgrimage Volunteer - Hosanna House and Childrenโs Pilgrimage Trust [2023]
This was a transformative spiritual experience in Lourdes, France. My role throughout the week was to help support vulnerable, special needs children in their worship. I held major organisational roles, helping lead events such as the candle light procession
This experience gave me valuable communication, teamwork and adaptability skills.
๐ Links
Visulisation of shortest path algorithms project
Dictate chess - chrome extention
Game lookup
Psychology project
Thanks for reading!!
Last page update: 03/10/2025