Rick Cruz, Master of Science in Computer Science
Software Engineer | Full-Stack Developer
About Me
I am a Software Engineer with a Master of Science in Computer Science from Portland State University. I bring a rich blend of technical knowledge and hands-on experience. Proficient in C/C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, and SQL, I excel in creating creating practical and efficient software solutions. I have developed a strong foundation in using frameworks like React and technologies such as OpenCV and TensorFlow through project-based learning. I pride myself on my ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of software development.
I have demonstrated ability to conduct extensive research, analyze data, and apply statistical techniques to identify trends and make accurate predictions. With my strong experience in implementing complex models, presenting findings to stakeholders, and showcasing the potential value of projects I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and deliver impactful solutions.
Projects
Wedding Website
Developed a feature-rich website using NextJS, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, and React, integrating a custom API for RSVP and guest management. Includes a secure admin page with JWT-based authorization. Styled with Material UI for responsiveness, MongoDB for data storage, and deployed on Vercel.
NBA Sentiment Analysis
Conducted NLP analysis on NBA subreddit data using VADER and TextBlob to assess player and team sentiments for an early portion of the 2021-2022 season. Analyzed and visualized sentiment trends, improved tool accuracy, and presented the potential of sentiment analysis to stakeholders.
Bitcoin Buy Classifier
Developed a machine learning model using data analysis and statistical methods to identify optimal buying opportunities in Bitcoin markets. Achieved enhanced prediction accuracy and effectively communicated the project's value to stakeholders.
Computer Vision
Implemented transfer learning with convolutional neural networks for object recognition tasks, incorporating Grad-CAM for predictive focus identification. Developed a GAN to create synthetic images, utilizing OpenCV, TensorFlow, and Keras.