About me

I'm a Computer Science student at Cal State University Dominguez Hills pursuing a BS with a minor in Physics, maintaining a 3.8 cumulative GPA. I serve as Vice President of our IEEE Branch where I've represented the university at conferences and organized campus presentations.

I'm currently working as a student researcher, which involves enhancing translation accuracy of healthcare papers by improving algorithmic approaches to neural machine translation and incorporating domain-specific knowledge. I've previously worked in research regarding algorithm theory and robotic sensor networks, which I will be presenting at conferences in March and April.

Previously, I worked as a Test Technician Intern at Stellar Pizza, ensuring the proper assembly of pizza-making robots, creating assembly guides using confluence, and communicating with engineering teams through Jira. I've participated in NASA's NPWEE program, where my team and I proposed a machine learning-based prediction model for mission simulation. Using datasets from MAVEN, RAD, and SOHO, we designed an AI-driven system to analyze space weather patterns and their impact on Mars missions.

I also have experience teaching computer science principles to elementary and high school audiences, and building a MERN full stack application - an online store where my band's merchandise can be sold.

My technical skills include Java, Swift, JavaScript, Python, and various web technologies like React, Node.js, and MongoDB, as well as experience with tools such as VsCode, GitHub, Jira, and Confluence.

What i'm doing

  • Research icon

    Student Research

    Presenting research in algorithm theory (Java) at future conferences, currently learning neural machine translation & PyTorch.

  • Web development icon

    Web development

    Building a website for my band's online store.

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    Teaching Assistant

    Presenting computer science principles to elementary and high school students.

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    Drumming

    Playing live shows, recording quality drum tracks, and working on a merchandise line with my band.

Daniel lewis
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Daniel lewis

Richard was hired to create a corporate identity. We were very pleased with the work done. She has a lot of experience and is very concerned about the needs of client. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, ullamcous cididt consectetur adipiscing elit, seds do et eiusmod tempor incididunt ut laborels dolore magnarels alia.

Research

Current Research

Enhancing Multilingual Communication through Low-Resource Neural Machine Translation
February 2025 - Present
CAHSI LREU Program - Under Guidance of Prof. Ahmadnia

I'm currently working on neural machine translation, focusing on low-resource languages. This research aims to improve communication across language barriers where traditional translation resources are limited. I'm learning PyTorch and exploring neural machine language processes to develop effective translation models.

Previous Research

Battery-Constrained Robot Traversal Optimization
October 2024 - February 2025
CAHSI LREU Program - Under Guidance of Prof. Tang

I applied knowledge of algorithms and data structures to simulate a battery-constrained robot traversing through a network of sensor nodes using Java. By collaborating with experienced student researchers, we optimized traversal algorithms and developed innovative approaches to energy-efficient path planning. Data visualization was accomplished using Origin Lab, JGraphX, and Excel.

Conference Presentations

I'm presenting my research findings at:

Accolades

I won first place in the category of Physical, Mathematical sciences, and Engineering at the CSUDH Student Research Day!

My research was featured in the second edition of the CAHSI Undergraduate Resarch Community's Newsletter!

Expertise

Robotics & Aerospace

  1. Apprentice - NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience

    May 2024 - Aug 2024
    • Collaborated with a team of ten programmers to design a comprehensive technology proposal
    • Proposed a machine learning/deep learning prediction model for MEPS mission simulation utilizing MAVEN, RAD, and SOHO data sets
    • Researched and identified NASA's key challenges during space travel and developed technological solutions
    • Participated in proposal review panels, providing critical feedback and gaining insight into NASA's evaluation criteria

  2. Test Technician Intern - Stellar Pizza, Hawthorne, CA

    Nov 2021 - Oct 2023
    • Responsible for ensuring pizza making robot was safely assembled before deployment
    • Used calipers and torque wrenches to ensure precision during assembly
    • Communicated with lead engineers using Jira’s issue ticket system
    • Wrote out assembly guides for machinery on Confluence
    • Recorded test data on new additions to robot using Excel

Teaching

  1. Computer Science Scholar (High School) - CISE at CSUDH

    Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
    • Assistant teacher in a high-school class taken for college credit via CSUDH
    • Programming principles from commands - variables taught through Swift Playgrounds
    • Web Development/Design taught through 'About Me' activity in Swift Playgrounds
    • Graded student assignments and ensured that understanding of concepts was displayed in their code

  2. Computer Science Scholar (Elementary School) - CISE at CSUDH

    July 2024 - Oct 2024
    • I was one of three primary teachers in charge of explaining programming principles through Swift Playgrounds
    • Assisted in developing a curriculum that illustrates programming concepts through real-life examples

  3. STEAM Camp Teacher - CISE at CSUDH

    July 2024 - Oct 2024
    • Troubleshot 3D printers, showcased printing process to students safely, ensured software was kept up to date
    • Used vinyl cutters to create screens for heat press machine
    • Printed animal themed keychains & t-shirts & ended the camp with a trip to the zoo in hopes of inspiring an enthusiastic attitude towards technology

Education

Cal State University Dominguez Hills

Graduating May 2026 (Expected)

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Minor: Physics

GPA: 3.8 Cumulative, 4.0 Fall 2024

Vice President - IEEE Branch

Jan 2025 - Present

  • Represent our university at the IEEE Rising Stars Conference
  • Organize a campus presentation featuring guest speakers like Dr. Hooshmand on deep learning in cancer detection

Key Coursework - Computer Science

  • Software Development (Java): Object-oriented design principles and software engineering practices
  • Data Structures (Java): Implementation and analysis of fundamental data structures including trees, graphs, and hash maps
  • Programming Languages: Comparative analysis of language design with focus on Python and Java

El Camino Community College

August 2021 - June 2023

GPA: 3.7 Cumulative, 4.0 First Year (Dean's List)

Key Coursework

  • Intro to Data Structures (C++): Fundamental algorithms and data structures implementation
  • Problem Solving/Program Design (C++): Algorithmic thinking and structured programming
  • Assembly Language Programming: Low-level programming concepts and computer architecture
  • Discrete Math: Mathematical foundations of computer science including logic, sets, and graph theory
  • Single Variable Calculus: Mathematical analysis and applications

My Band

Me + You We're a punk band hailing from Redondo Beach, California, formed by drummer Topher Beauchamp, bassist & vocalist Nick Zavala, and guitarist David Lastiri. Later on, saxophonist Aiden Jennings and vocalist Kyle Rosenthal would join the group. Together, we have played 50+ shows, often using these events to raise funds for causes such as relief for Palisades fire victims and funds for no-kill animal shelters. We also ensure to maintain a wide variety of promoters, photographers, zine editors, and other artists/vendors in order to ensure the shows are as entertaining and community oriented as possible.

We've managed to obtain a following of 3,400 followers on Instagram, maintain 2,200 monthly listeners on Spotify, release an album completely mixed, mastered, and recorded in Nick's garage, and create a DIY merchandise line (David screen prints t-shirts & hoodies, I copy our music to CDr's & cassette tapes, Nick creates CD inlets / J cards for these). Working to combine my passion for both software engineering and music, I have been working on developing an online shop where jackets, shirts, CDs, etc can be purchased online.

Accolades

Our song 'Untitled 1' (real innovative, huh?) is featured on a Top 250 Emo Songs of all time playlist with almost 2,000 saves.

Our song 'Would Last Long' is featured on a Top 10 emo tracks of 2024 playlist with over 400 saves.

The short lived Las Vegas band A Note You Never Read was named after one of our songs. The drummer ended up working as a promoter and helped us get our first out of state gig in Las Vegas.

Merch Line Jackets Cassette Tapes

These cassettes were made by the very talented folks at Oliver Glenn Records. 45 tapes were put online on 4/6 @ 5pm EST, and sold out by 4/7 at 9:00AM EST. The 30 remaining copies will be sold at shows.

Contact

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