A one-page summary is available as my downloadable resume.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Physics
Astrophysics Concentration
Master of Science
Computer Science
Theory Concentration
Dual Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Computer Science
Physics
Continuing Education
As a strong believer in the value of lifelong learning, I have taken online courses to hone different skills. This has led to the completion of certified courses offered by Johns Hopkins University (e.g., Executive Data Science Specialization, Single Page Web Applications with AngularJS, Advanced R Programming, or Biostatistics in Public Health Specialization), several Qwiklabs badges, and the Professional Scrum Master I certification.
Professional History
Software Engineer
June 2019 – Present
- Feature development in backend Java services to enable customers in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, including multiple Fortune 100 companies, to optimize and track their promotions. This work includes consumption of first- and second-party data, API design for third-party integrations, and periodically being the point of contact for any issues faced by our customer success team
- Implemented operational improvements, including error reporting with Sentry, consistent distributed caching with Hazelcast, and schema changes needed for performance improvements
- Test-Driven Development using modern tooling: code reviews with Upsource, sprint and issue management with an Agile methodology using Jira, CI/CD with Jenkins to Google Kubernetes Engine
Assistant Research Scientist
(Full Stack Developer)
(Full Stack Developer)
August 2017 – June 2019
-
Backend Java/Spring development to facilitate scientific collaboration, including:
- Primary developer for file hosting management and sharing for external users
- Primary developer for porting leaky, legacy database connection management into Spring
- Investigated and implemented a file system-based quota system for our users
- Involved in development, on-going operations/deployments, and user-facing support
-
Frontend web development:
- Converted JSP web site into a reactive web site using VueJS and ES6 modules
- Assisted in on-going bug fixes and feature development
- Designed and implemented a web UI for submitting computational jobs
- Assisting in development, on-going operations/deployments, and user-facing support
-
Management of Docker images providing a Compute environment for external users, including:
- Conversion of manually-created Docker images into reproducibly built images (writing Dockerfiles)
- Creation of a CI pipeline using Jenkins to build all images in the correct order and Selenium to test images
- Handling user support and requests for scientific software
- Advocated for and implemented (with team) Git Flow for organized source code management
- Design and Prototyping of an on-premise Kubernetes cluster
- Containerizing Tomcat WAR and Express applications for deployment on Kubernetes
Graduate Research Assistant
June 2012 – July 2017
- Focused on characterizing morphological features in Hubble Space Telescope near-IR images
- Successfully received funding and telescope time through competitive NASA proposals
Graduate Teaching Assistant
August 2011 – June 2013
- Recitation instructor, lab instructor, and grader for introductory physics
Mathematics Tutor and Grader
September 2007 – June 2011
- Taught topics including Algebra, Calculus, Statistics and Discrete Mathematics
Web Developer
April 2009 – June 2009
- Volunteered with a team of students to provide exercise incentives for Chicago-area students
- Integrated data visualizations using Google Maps API with Ruby on Rails
Undergraduate Researcher
June 2009 – August 2009
- Creation of Zeeman Effect fitting routines in IDL
Undergraduate Researcher
June 2008 – August 2008
- Fractal analysis using Daubechies wavelets to study scales of homogeneity among SDSS galaxies
Talks
- Thesis Talk at the 229th AAS Meeting January 2017 Awardee of Honorable Mention for AAS Doxsey Travel Prize
- Early-Stage Researcher Session of Star Formation 2016 Conference August 2016
- Midwest Graduate Research Symposium March 2016
- Midwest Graduate Research Symposium March 2015
Publications
-
An HST Survey of Protostellar Outflow Cavities: Does Feedback Clear Envelopes?
Accepted by The Astrophysics Journal and awaiting publication -
The Herschel Orion Protostar Survey: Spectral Energy Distributions and Fits Using a Grid of Protostellar Models
Furlan, E.; Fischer, W.; Ali, B.; Stutz, A.; Stanke, T.; Tobin, J.; Megeath, S. T.; Osorio, M.; Hartmann, L.; Calvet, N.; Poteet, C.; Booker, J.; Manoj, P.; Watson, D.; Allen, L. 2016, ApJS, 225, 5 -
HOPS 383: an Outbursting Class 0 Protostar in Orion
Safron, E.; Fischer, W.; Megeath, S. T.; Furlan, E.; Stutz, A.; Stanke, T.; Billot, N.; Rebull, L.; Tobin, J.; Ali, B.; Allen, L.; Booker, J.; Watson, D.; Wilson, T. 2015, ApJL, 800, L5 -
Finding Fractals in Galaxy Distribution Using Wavelet Transform
Costa, P. and Booker, J., Creating Knowledge: The LA&S Student Research Journal, Vol 2, 2009
Public Service
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
As a licensed member of the Amateur Radio Service, I have been fortunate to help provide cross-agency radio communication support for a number of events:
- Glass City Marathon
- Sylvania Triathalon/
Duathalon/ SuperKids Race - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
- Toledo Air Show
Science Outreach Events
Prepared for, and assisted students at events including:
- Women in Science Day
- High School Physics Camp
- Clean Energy Workshop
- Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Administrative Duties
Tasks around the university Physics department, including:
- Webmaster
- First-year Liaison
- Graduate Student Association Representative
President of DePaul Linux Community
Spring 2009 – Winter 2010
Responsible for organizing meetings, soliciting funding requests, and planning events.