COMPUTER SCIENCE
During middle school, I became fascinated with computer science. Specifically, I loved the power that I had over the possibilities of programs I could code and how I could control any and all aspects of a program that I desired to change. I started off learning Python, but I quickly became fascinated and obsessed with the more verbose Java programming language. Not only could I use it to code solutions to the quick problems that I needed to solve, but I could also apply those skills in FIRST Robotics, where I programmed robot functionality in teleoperation and autonomous modes. I quickly grew an appreciation for the world of object-oriented programming and the amazing abstractions that functional programming presented. Having taken every computer science course that my school offers and even working with my teacher to create and take a new one focused on data structures and algorithms, I continue to enhance my skills every day, learning new features, algorithms, and data structures, as well as new programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, Labview, Processing, and [of course] Scratch. My ultimate goal is that I can use the power of computer science combined with my creativity and experiences to develop applications that will help others in any way possible, especially education.
I plan on becoming a software engineer for a pioneering organization in the future where I can code applications and backend features that will affect millions of users around the world every day and that will pave the way for the world's technological progression. That way, I can make my mark on the world! Then, I plan on moving upwards to management, where I can coordinate large engineering teams to complete various groundbreaking projects. Finally, it would be amazing to start my own software solutions company where I could put my skills to the test for the greater good!
Fun Fact: I'm developing an app for school to help faculty effortlessly schedule meetings, sign in for attendance, and provide feedback!
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New: NASA Internship in Software Development and Machine Learning!
Overview:
I am currently working with the Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) in the Space Medicine Operations Division (SD2) to build on and improve existing space weather forecasting algorithms written in Python. Some major aspects of my work include making runtime execution speed improvements, automating various tasks for efficiency, leading the development of a new algorithm for blob detection and association with NOAA active regions, and optimizing the selection of free magnetic energy proxies and threshold cuts (during calculations) through the implementation of new statistical and machine learning techniques. By assisting in the abilities of Space Environment Officers to predict solar flares in near real-time, this project will help keep astronauts and valuable equipment safe from such sources of potentially dangerous levels of ionizing radiation, furthering NASA's mission of keeping radiation exposure to astronauts As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
I started this internship during the summer of 2020, and due to my high performance and contributions to the project and research, my internship was extended to the fall and, now, the spring of 2021.
Update slideshow presented at the end of my summer session (includes specific details of my work)
Update slideshow presented at the end of my fall session
Feature on NASA Internships social media page
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Some events and programs relating to computer science that I have participated in:
Karen Wagner High School Computer Science UIL (Team Captain)
First Tech Challenge robotics competition (President, Project Manager, and Lead Programmer)
First Robotics Challenge Robotics Competition (President, Project Manager, Lead Programmer, and Electrician)
Business Professionals of America (President) Java Programming Competitions
10Bitworks Java for Robotics Tutor (Hosted and taught a 2-day camp)
Java Tutoring Club
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My Achievements in Computer Science:
2019 Congressional App Challenge Winner
Placed in the top 10% of 151 teams in the 2019 HP CodeWars International Novice Programming Competition
Accepted to Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking hosted at Princeton University (2020)
1st Place in Boerne High School High Country Invitational Computer Science Individual Written Test (2019)
1st Place in South San Antonio High School’s Bobcat Classic Computer Science Individual Written Test (2019)
1st Place in Carrizo Springs High School UIL Mathematics & Science Meet for Advanced Individual Computer Science Written Test and Team Programming Test (2019)
1st Place in Churchill High School UIL Invitational for Advanced Individual Computer Science Written Test—perfect score—and Team Programming Test (2020)
1st Place in Macarthur High School UIL Invitational for Advanced Individual Computer Science Written Test
1st Place in Judson ISD Computer Science Hammer Bowl for Advanced Individual Computer Science Written Test
1st Place in New Braunfels High School UIL Invitational for Advanced Individual Computer Science Written Test (2020)
1st Place and Regional Qualifier in 2019 UIL DISTRICT Academic Spring Meet Conference 5A District 26 Computer Science Individual Written Test
2nd Place in 2019 UIL DISTRICT Academic Spring Meet Conference 5A District 26 Computer Science Team Programming Test
2nd Place and State Qualifier in 2019 UIL REGIONAL Academic Spring Meet Conference 5A Region 4 Computer Science Individual Written Test
10th Place in 2019 UIL STATE Academic Spring Meet Texas Conference 5A Computer Science Individual Written Test (was top scorer from San Antonio across all conferences; first student from my HS to advance to any UIL state academic competition)
2nd Place in Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) 2019 CODE Invitational Novice Division Team Programming Test and Individual Written Test
3rd Place in 2020 HS Virtual Challenge Meet #2 6A Computer Science Individual Written Test (across entire state)
Participated in the SoHacks 6 Hackathon and received the “Best Educational Hack” award
Computer Science Student of the Year (2018, 2019)
5s on the AP Computer Science Principles and A Exams (2019, 2020)
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Languages I Have Used in the Past:
Java, Javascript, Python, Processing, Abstracted C++ (Arduino), HTML, Labview Visual Programming Language (G), Linux Bash Shell, WebCTRL Eikon graphical control programming software
Special Libraries/Frameworks I have Worked With:
Google's TensorFlow Machine Learning Software, Google Maps APIs, Java Swing, FTC and FRC Robotics Libraries (Developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute), Back4App and Parse open-source backend platforms, SunPy, and many more