Introduction

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Howard Harris

Versatile, Multi-Faceted
Software Engineer
Seeking New Challenges







Welcome to my online resume. It's designed to give you easy access to information on my skills, training, and experience. To see highlights for a specific job, year, or skill area, click on the corresponding "hot spot" or hyperlink. Have fun.
Copyright 2006 by Helen and Howard Harris - All rights reserved.
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Undergraduate Student, 1976-1980
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
Degree Earned
  • B.Sc. in Physics, May 1980
    Cumulative GPA: A- (3.7/4.0, 4.0=A)
Background
  • Haverford College is a small, highly-selective liberal arts college located on Philadelphia's fashionable "Main Line."
  • Haverford has close ties to nearby Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore colleges, both of which share its strong Quaker roots.
 
Extracurricular Activities
  • Served as a "Resident Customsman" during my sophomore year, providing orientation and guidance to a group of precocious Freshmen and two women transfer students living in my residence hall.
  • Wrote, directed, and starred in a Vaudeville-style musical production for Haverford's annual "Class Night" competition.
  • Played on Haverford's intercollegiate volleyball team.
  • Played on Bryn Mawr's intercollegiate archery team.
  • Sang in the Haverford / Bryn Mawr Chorale.
  • Appeared in a Haverford College production of Tenessee Williams' Summer and Smoke.
Work Experience
    Summer employment
  • Worked as a waiter in a local restaurant in my home town (Manitou Springs, Colorado).
  • Worked for the Buildings and Grounds Department at Haverford, painting interiors and exteriors of campus buildings.
  • Worked as a freelance gardener / handyman for local
    Main Line residents.
  • Won a Teaching Fellowship to work as as a teacher-in-training at Northfield-Mt. Hermon Summer School (Massachusetts).
    Term-time employment
  • Worked as a server / dish washer in the Haverford Dining Hall; was promoted to Headwaiter in my Junior year.
  • Co-managed the Opelika Book Exchange, a used book store located on the Bryn Mawr campus, during my senior year.
 
Science, Math, and Computing Teacher, 1980-1987
Yokohama International School
Yokohama, Japan
Responsibilities
  • Taught a variety of science and math courses, including physics (O-Level, A-Level, International Baccalaureate), general science, algebra and trigonometry, and SAT preparation.
  • Introduced a first-of-a-kind electronics course with an emphasis on practical skills and independent project work, allowing students to design and build novel electronic devices.
  • Produced and directed four one-act plays for entry into the Annual Kanto Plains Drama Festival.
  • Designed and implemented a comprehensive K-12 computer curriculum. Provided in-service training in computer-assisted learning and word-processing to colleagues.
  • Created, maintained, and supervised a computer lab which was open to students after school hours.
  • Introduced summer school courses in programming which challenged students to design their own arcade games using graphics, animation, and joystick control.
  • Organized and chaperoned field trips to remote areas of Japan.
Improving Personal Performance
  • Immersed myself in Japanese culture and studied Japanese language in my spare time.
  • Taught myself to program in BASIC and assembly language so that I could create software simulations to enhance my physics teaching.
  • Taught myself electronics so that I could build circuits and computer interfaces to enhance my physics teaching.
Communication
  • Functioned effectively in a highly diversified workplace, working with teachers and students from all over the world.
  • Helped non-native speakers function in an English-speaking environment.
Community Service and Involvement
    I was heavily involved in supporting drama and music,
    both inside the school and in the community at large.
  • Presented a drama workshop for a group of student thespians at neighboring St. Maur International School (1981).
  • Co-directed two plays (Mystery at Blackwater  and The Importance of Being Ernest) with a drama teacher at St. Maur, featuring students from both schools (1981-82); I also played the part of the butler in The Importance of Being Ernest .
  • Played violin in a small student/teacher ensemble; we performed at YIS graduation ceremonies and gave a few concerts for students and parents (1981-82).
  • Volunteered to stage a production of the musical West Side Story involving students and teachers from YIS and nearby St. Joseph International School (1986); my responsibilities included:
    • staging and directing scenes
    • choreographing all of the dance sequences and teaching the dances to the actors
    • designing and building a complete stage-lighting system, plus sound effects equipment
    • coordinating the efforts of numerous volunteers (set designers, musical directors, costume makers)
    • managing all of the business side of the production (advertising, ticket sales, paying royalties, etc.)
  • My wife staged an elementary school production of Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (1987); I volunteered to set up and operate the stage lighting system I had developed for West Side Story .
  • Provided sound effects for a St. Maur production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1987)
    I appeared in a variety of productions sponsored by the
    Yokohama Amateur Dramatic Club:
  • Neil Simon's Come Blow Your Horn (1980)
  • a collection of Neil Simon comedy sketches (1980)
  • David Wood's Babes in the Magic Wood (1985)
  • The Fantasticks (1987)
    I also worked backstage on several YADC productions:
  • provided sound effects for Tom Stoppard's Night and Day (1983)
  • worked on stage crew for David Wood's Old Mother Hubbard (1984) (ask me about this one - it was a hoot!)
  • created and operated a lighting system for a collection of one act plays by Harold Pinter (1987)
    From 1981 to 1982 I played second violin in the Yokohama
    Symphony Orchestra, an amateur orchestra open to
    Yokohama residents.

    Presented a workshop on introducing electronics
    into the high school curriculum at the annual
    Kanto Plains International Schools Conference
 
Travel and Leisure
  • Traveled around Australia and learned to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Traveled extensively in southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Japan).
  • Went skiing in Colorado and Japan.
  • Spent a month vacationing in Hawaii.
 

Software Engineering Skills
Overview
  • 3.5 years experience in object oriented design and development using C++ in a UNIX environment for complex, high performance, mission-critical applications in the bioinformatics and nuclear industries

  • extensive knowledge of XML and related technologies (W3C Standards, SAX and DOM parsing, DTDs, XML Schema, XPath, XSL/T); served as LION’s XML Guru, responsible for designing, coding, testing, and maintaining all XML support functionality in SRS

  • extensive experience in GUI design and development on Windows and UNIX, spanning standalone and distributed applications (in Java, Visual Basic, and C++); technologies used: JSP/JavaScript/HTML/CSS, JSTL, Swing, XMotif

  • thorough understanding of distributed applications based on web services, Apache/Tomcat, JSP, and Spring

  • experienced in all phases of the software development life cycle: requirements gathering, use case analysis, functional specification, object-oriented design, coding, debugging, unit and integration testing, user documentation, defect and change request management

  • excellent software test/QA background, including test planning, scripting, automation, and coverage analysis

  • good foundation in relational databases/SQL, including application design/development with Access and Oracle

  • experienced in developing software to simulate physical phenomena using interactive graphics and multi-threaded animation. Projects include Java applets to
    • draw electric fields and demonstrate interactions between electrically charged particles (click here to run the applet; you must have Java installed)
    • simulate the motions and interactions of neutrons within a nuclear reactor core
    (click here to see a complete listing of the unique educational hardware and software I developed during my teaching career)

  • highly skilled at using office automation tools for word-processing, presentations, and calculations:
    • FrameMaker
    • Word
    • PowerPoint
    • Excel
    • Quattro Pro
    • Lotus 123

  • 25 years of programming experience spanning a multitude of languages, operating systems, and hardware

  • Programming languages: C/C++, Java, JSP/JavaScript/HTML/CSS, Visual Basic, SQL, FORTRAN, assembly language (VAX and 6502 micro-processor), shell scripting

  • IDEs: Eclipse, Emacs, Visual SlickEdit, MS Visual Studio (Visual Basic/C++), Oracle JDeveloper, JBuilder

  • Configuration management processes and tools: CVS, Rational ClearCase, MS SourceSafe

  • Source code analysis and test automation tools: McCabe IQ Suite, Mercury Interactive WinRunner, LION SRSPLAN (proprietary), FORTRAN-lint

  • Defect management systems (Soffront TrackWeb, Jitterbug)
 
Full-Time Student, Fall Term 1987
Colorado Technical College
(now known as Colorado Technical University)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Took courses to strengthen my knowledge of computing and electronics:
  • Electronics
  • Structured programming using FORTRAN
  • CADD / geometrical drawing using CADKEY
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Cumulative GPA: A (4.0/4.0)
 
EBD Classroom Aide, January-June 1988
Sunrise Elementary School
Widefield, Colorado, USA
  • Worked full-time as an assistant in a special classroom for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed (EBD) children.
  • Developed skills in relating to and teaching children with severe learning difficulties.
Community Service and Involvement
Presented "enrichment" sessions on the customs and culture of Japan to several groups of sixth-graders in Colorado Springs elementary schools. Presentations included:
  • a slide show illustrating many facets of everyday life in Japan
  • a description of interesting experiences I had during the seven years I lived there
  • a hands-on display of Japanese souvenirs (toys, clothing, consumer goods, etc.)
  • an introduction to Japanese language (pronunciation, explanation of writing systems, useful words and phrases, songs, games, etc.)
 

Extended Skill Set
Overview
  • excellent mathematical and analytical skills
  • practical background in analog & digital electronics and robotics, including design of micro-processor interfaces and real-time assembly language I/O programming
  • experienced in using graphics and animation to simulate physical phenomena
Electronics and Computer Interfacing
During my 12 year teaching career, I gained extensive experience in the design of digital and analog circuitry, computer interfaces, and electro-mechanical devices, including:
  • a programmable drawing robot with three-speed bi-directional motors and a retractable pen; the robot could be controlled either through a hand-held control panel or a programmable computer interface

  • stage lighting systems for several major theatrical productions, including a programmable "juke box" lighting display with 80 lights used in the musical Grease!

  • a variety of hardware interfaces for Apple II computers that enabled science students to record and graph readings in real time from many types of sensors (e.g. variable resistors, thermistors, phototransistors, and microphones)

  • a digital start-stop timer and frequency counter for use in physics experiments; the device is equipped with two light-activated switches and offers a selection of three counting modes

  • a set of 8 hand-held switches used by contestants in academic knowledge competitions; the "Brain Bowl Master" system:
    • incorporated an assembly language routine to determine the first contestant to respond, with a 1 millisecond resolution
    • turned on a light mounted in the switch casing to identify the first responder
    • incorporated a speech synthesizer to call out the contestant's name
    • included a computerized score-keeping system

  • an electro-mechanical solar system model; the device used two dozen ICs and seven stepper motors to accurately simulate the relative orbital motions of the seven innermost planets

  • a three-dimensional Tic-Tac-Toe game with a computer interface
Simulation Software Development
During my 12-year teaching career, I spent a great deal of time writing software to simulate physical phenomena using graphics and animation. Major achievements include programs to simulate:
  • the complex translational and rotational motion of a space vehicle; the program allows the user to create sequences of ignitions of four rocket engines, then shows the resulting motion in “real” time

  • the motion of gas molecules inside a cylinder with a piston; the program allows the user to dynamically change the temperature, volume, and number of molecules and shows the effect on pressure; the animation routine was written in Assembly Language for speed

  • the paths of light rays impinging on various types of mirrors and lenses; the program allows the user to create novel optical devices and investigate their reflective and refractive characteristics

  • the distorted appearance of objects as seen by viewers moving at speeds near the speed of light
Click here to see a complete listing of the unique educational hardware and software I developed during my teaching career.

I am also very interested in saving and investing for retirement.
I discovered there is a great lack of understanding of this subject
(particularly within my own family!), so my wife and I developed
a Java applet that teaches the basic principles of investing and
retirement planning. Click here to run the applet (you must have Java installed).
 
Mathematics Teacher, 1988-1989
Escuela Campo Alegre
Caracas, Venezuela
Responsibilities
  • Taught algebra and geometry.
  • Supervised a drama workshop.
  • Created and supervised a "knowledge bowl" elective that involved students in creative problem-solving and general knowledge competitions.
  • Implemented a novel approach to teaching geometry through creative project work. Students were given an opportunity to develop and exhibit original 2-D and 3-D geometrical designs.
Computing and Electronics
  • Designed and built a multi-purpose Apple computer interface to be used in teaching elementary school students about scientific applications of computers and electronic sensors. Developed accompanying computer software, plus instructions for performing a wide variety of computer-assisted science experiments.
Communication
  • Functioned effectively in a highly diversified workplace, working with teachers and students from all over the world.
  • Helped non-native speakers function in an English-speaking environment.
  • Studied Spanish in my spare time.
Travel and Leisure
  • Traveled extensively in South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela).
  • Visited many of Venezuela's unique and unusual places:
    • Went SCUBA diving.
    • Spent a week at a biological research station in the Llanos floodplain region, seeing all kinds of interesting wildlife, including jaguars, howler monkeys, anacondas, scarlet ibis, and capybaras.
    • Explored the Venezuelan Andes.
    • Flew over tepuis and Angel Falls during our visit to Canaima.
  • Visited New York and Chicago.
  • Moved to Singapore to begin teaching at ISS International School.
 
Head of Technology and Computing, 1989-1990
ISS International School
Singapore
Responsibilities
  • Served as Head of the Technology and Computing Department:
    • Designed innovative programs for introducing students to technology.
    • Was responsible for the selection and purchase of all school computer equipment.
  • Taught GCSE and A-Level physics courses to prepare students for the corresponding examinations.
  • Taught a college-level physics course to students enrolled in the "American College Program" at ISS.
  • Organized and chaperoned a ten-day field trip to Northern Australia.
Communication
  • Functioned effectively in a highly diversified workplace, working with teachers and students from all over the world.
  • Helped non-native speakers function in an English-speaking environment.
Activism and Initiative
  • Introduced and taught a drama workshop activity in the Middle School.
Community Service and Involvement
  • Sang tenor in the International Festival Chorus. Performances included Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Haydn's Creation, in conjunction with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Travel and Leisure
  • Went SCUBA diving off the coast of Malaysia.
  • Spent spring vacation in Hong Kong.
  • Traveled around Hungary.
  • Moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to begin teaching at Fountain Valley School.
 

Work Ethic and Professionalism
I would describe myself as ...
  • pro-active - always tackle the toughest job first

  • an experienced multi-tasker - work well under pressure

  • strongly focused on customer satisfaction and product quality: “build the right product, build the product right”

  • a dedicated team player:
    • flexible and adaptable - able to spot gaps in a team and willing to fill in where most needed
    • always give credit where credit is due
    • equally comfortable leading or following

  • a resourceful problem solver

  • an experienced motivator and mentor for junior employees

  • able to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

  • a true life-long learner - enthusiastic about acquiring new technical skills and exploring new knowledge domains

  • not afraid to ask questions or ask for help:
        When in trouble
        Or in doubt
        Run in circles
        Scream and shout!
 
Physics Teacher, 1991-1993
Fountain Valley School
Widefield, Colorado, USA
Responsibilities
  • Taught courses in physics, computers, astronomy, and electronics.
  • Coached the Junior Varsity girl's volleyball team.
  • Created an introductory robotics workshop in which teams of students designed and built robots, then pitted them against each other in performance competitions.
  • Organized and supervised outdoor education trips in the Rocky Mountains and community service activities.
Community Service and Involvement
While teaching at FVS, I became active on a voluntary basis in many activities aimed at enriching the lives of the students:
  • Volunteered to take groups of new students on backpacking trips into the Rocky Mountains during orientation week.
  • Worked on stage crew for a school production of the musical Grease! ; designed, built, and operated a computerized "Juke Box" stage lighting system.
  • Sang in the student/teacher madrigal group.
  • Volunteered to chaperone senior class students during "Senior Seminar" week; organized and participated in community service activities with seniors.
Improving Personal Performance
  • Attended the Stanley H. King Counseling Institute to learn how to "respond to the emotional needs of today's adolescents with increased comfort and competence."
  • Attended a seminar at the U.S. Air Force Academy called "Getting Comfortable Teaching About Space."
  • Took three college-level courses in programming at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Travel and Leisure
  • Went downhill and cross-country skiing.
  • Visited Helen's parents in England.
  • Explored Washington D.C.
  • Went llama trekking.
  • Did a camping tour of several western states (Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Utah).
  • Visited the Grand Canyon and the Four Corners region.
 

Communication Skills
Overview
  • 25 years of experience in communicating a broad range of technical subjects to a diverse audience
  • strong visual communicator, adept at using diagrams and simulations to convey complex information
  • experienced technical author
  • skilled at public speaking / PowerPoint presentations
    My twelve-year career in teaching helped me develop
    strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills:
  • Teachers do a lot of public speaking, both in the classroom and in other forums.
  • Teaching enabled me to share my love of drama with students, and to further develop my theatrical communication skills (see examples below).
  • Teaching involves many specialized forms of writing (see examples below).
  • Teaching physics and math made me realize the importance of visualization, so I created a variety of programs to simulate physical phenomena and make mathematical concepts come to life.
Technical Tools for Communication
 
  • Skilled at using tools in the Microsoft Office suite
  • Skilled at using spreadsheets to perform calculations and make graphs and charts:
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Novell QuattroPro
    • Lotus 1-2-3
  • Experienced with a variety of graphical design and drawing programs:
    • MSPaint
    • Visio
    • MacroMedia Fireworks
    • CADKEY
Communication Examples
 
    Public Speaking
  • classroom teaching
  • hosting school assemblies
  • serving as Master of Ceremonies for formal "Sit-Down" dinners for three years at Fountain Valley School
  • coaching volleyball
  • giving seminars and presentations to fellow teachers and employees
  • giving concise project status reports to senior management at meetings
    Theater
  • appeared in 12 plays and musicals, playing leading roles in six of these productions
  • directed four one act plays, two full-length plays and the musical West Side Story while teaching at YIS
  • taught several drama workshops to high school and junior high students
    Writing
  • instructional materials and progress reports for students
  • grant proposals seeking funding for special projects
  • teaching students how to write scientifically (lab reports, answers to physics questions on exams)
  • formal letters of recommendation for students and interns
  • scientific papers (e.g. my nuclear science masters thesis)
  • posters (used to advertise a new software product and to summarize scientific research)
  • formal business reports and executive summaries
  • software user documentation
    Visual/Graphical Communication
  • developed an extensive XML Project intranet website for disseminating information on XML to fellow LION employees
  • created wall displays in my classrooms to stimulate curiosity and highlight the aesthetic side of science and technology
  • made extensive use of graphs, charts, and diagrams in my teaching course materials
  • skilled in using PowerPoint to create intersting presentations for fellow employees and customers
  • developed a variety of simulations using animated graphics to teach concepts of physics and math (click here to see a complete listing of the simulation software I developed during my teaching career)
 
Graduate Student, 1993-1995
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Degrees Earned
  • M.Sc. in Nuclear Science, May 1995
    Cumulative GPA: A+ (4.1/4.0, 4.0=A)

  • M.Eng. in Radiological Health Engineering, May 1995
    Cumulative GPA: A+ (8.2/9.0, 8.0=A)

  • Click here to see an overview of my nuclear science and engineering courses.
Honors and Distinctions
  • Won two highly-competitive U.S. Department of Energy Graduate Fellowships (in Applied Health Physics and Civilian Radioactive Waste Management)
  • Received honorable mentions in two other D.O.E. graduate fellowship competitions (Environmental Restoration and Waste Management and Nuclear Engineering / Health Physics).
  • While studying for my masters, I was elected to membership in Alpha Nu Sigma, the student honor society of the American Nuclear Society (1994)
  • Won one of five first place awards in a student poster competition at the 1995 annual meeting of the Health Physics Society (more details below)
Background
  • While still working as a teacher, I applied for four U.S. Department of Energy Graduate Fellowships and was offered two of these fellowships.
  • I accepted the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management fellowship, which provided a "full ride" for graduate study at any nuclear engineering department in the U.S.
  • I chose the University of Michigan because of its outstanding nuclear engineering program (in 1993, it was ranked 2nd in the nation by U.S. News and World Report).
  • The University of Michigan was also ranked 3rd in the nation at the time for the overall quality of its graduate and undergraduate programs.
  • The U. of M. program was strong in all of the "traditional" areas (reactor theory and design, radiation detection, etc.), but also in the growing fields of Health Physics and Medical Physics (radiation protection/radiation biology).
Work Experience
  • The Fellowship required me to do an internship at a D.O.E. facility during the summer of 1994.
  • I worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico) doing research for the Environment, Safety, and Health Group.
  • My main project was an in-depth study of a new type of electronic neutron dosimeter (used to measure neutron exposures of individual workers).
    • The goal of my project was to compare the performance of the new dosimeter to the performance of TLDs and bubble dosimeters,
      and to evaluate its potential for use at LANL.
    • The project provided the subject matter for my masters thesis.
    • I presented a poster summarizing my findings at a student poster competition at the Health Physics Society's annual meeting in Boston in July, 1995.
    • My poster won a first place award (and a cash prize!).
  • I also worked on another project to develop a novel method for calculating radiation doses resulting from skin contamination.
    • This new approach was much faster and more accurate than previously-used methods.
    • I wrote a Visual Basic program to implement the method and demonstrated it to a venture capitalist, who expressed interest in pursuing development of a commercial product based on this technology.
    • My mentor at LANL offered to sponsor me in developing this research into a Ph.D. dissertation.
 

Diverse Life Experience
I am ...
  • a world traveler who has lived and worked in five different countries (see below)
  • a choral and barbershop singer
  • a classical violinist and bluegrass “fiddle” player
  • a veteran actor, director, and stage crew member
  • a keen outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, camping, and skiing
  • a PADI certified SCUBA diver
  • a certified volleyball coach
  • an innovator in education
  • an inventor of various devices and gadgets
I have worked as ...
  • a waiter
  • a bookstore manager
  • a food service worker (cafeteria server, dishwasher, and headwaiter)
  • a gardener and handyman
  • a construction worker (painter, roofer, and door and window installer)
  • a teacher
  • a research scientist
  • a nuclear engineer
  • a facility designer
  • a project manager
  • a test engineer
  • a software engineer
  • a software manager
I have lived and worked in ...
  • Japan
  • Venezuela
  • Singapore
  • United Kingdom
  • USA, including:
    • Colorado
    • Michigan
    • Washington
    • Pennsylvania
I have traveled in ...
  • Europe:
    • United Kingdom
    • Italy
    • Germany
    • Holland
    • Czechoslovakia
    • Hungary

  • North America:
    • Canada
    • Mexico

  • Africa:

  • Australia:

  • Asia:
    • Japan
    • Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Malaysia
    • Thailand
    • Singapore
    • Hong Kong
    • Philippines
    • India

  • South America:

  • Russia (via the Trans-Siberian Railway):
    • Nahodka
    • Khabarovsk
    • Irkutsk
    • Moscow
Click here to see a map showing all of these places.
 
EMPDP Associate Engineer
Rotation #1 (July 1995 - January 1996)
Transportation and Packaging Group
Westinghouse Hanford Company
Richland, Washington, USA
Background
  • Westinghouse Electric Company is a world leader in the development and application of nuclear energy technology.
  • Immediately after graduating from Michigan, Westinghouse offered me a place in their Engineering Manufacturing Professional Development Program (EMPDP).
  • The purpose of this program is to identify and nurture new talent in engineering management.
  • The program consisted of four six-month rotations in different engineering groups, to be carried out in two separate Westinghouse locations.
  • My first two rotations were at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, where most of the fissile materials used in the U.S. nuclear arsenal were created.
  • At the end of both rotations, I was offered a permanent position, but I declined in order to stay true to the spirit of the EMPDP program.
Responsibilities
  • Performed shielding analyses, hydrogen generation calculations, and radiological risk reviews in support of various waste shipping campaigns.
  • Researched and co-authored a report on the truck accident rate at Hanford. This report is used as the basis for all radiological risk evaluations for onsite transport of radioactive materials (Hanford Site Truck Accident Rate, 1990 - 1995, WHC-SD-TP-RPT-021, March 1996).
  • Was instrumental in the development and testing of Radcalc for Windows, a computer code that performs US Department of Transportation (DOT) classifications and calculates radiolytic hydrogen production in packages.
    • Developed a rigorous and systematic methodology for verifying that the code correctly applied all of the relevant DOT regulations and limits. This approach exposed several significant errors.
    • Created a user's manual for the program.
    • Designed a poster used to introduce the program at the 1995 PATRAM conference in Las Vegas.
  • Reviewed radiological risk and shielding evaluations in support of the development of various Safety Analysis Reports for Packaging (SARPs).
Computing Skills
  • Gained experience in software testing and validation.
  • Learned how to write user-friendly documentation.
Communication Skills
  • Learned how to put modern graphics arts technology to work in creating an effective poster presentation.
  • Learned how to write clear and concise technical reports.
On-The-Job Training
  • DOE Radworker II certification course
  • DOT Basic Hazardous Materials Transportation, Hazardous Waste, and Radioactive Materials courses as prescribed in 49 CFR 172, Subpart H
  • Radiation Shielding Analysis using Microshield and ISOSHLD
  • Gained a working knowledge of many regulations and standards, including ANSI, DOT, EPA, ICRP, and NRC
  • Learned how to apply principles of statistical analysis to “real world” data.
 
EMPDP Associate Engineer
Rotation #2 (February-July 1996)
Nuclear Analysis and Characterization Group
Westinghouse Hanford Company
Richland, Washington, USA
Responsibilities
  • Performed and documented all criticality calculations incorporated into the primary "technical basis" document used to evaluate waste tank criticality safety at the Hanford Site (Criticality Parameters for Tank Waste Evaluation, WHC-SD-SQA-CSA-507, Rev. 0, July 1996).
  • Performed criticality calculations in support of the multi-purpose canister overpack (MCO) development program.
  • Applied a newly developed 2D space-time kinetics code (ATHENA2D) to the analysis of a criticality excursion in tank waste.
Computing Skills
  • Gained hands-on experience with the UNIX operating system.
  • Learned how to write UNIX shell scripts to automate workflows for complex or repetitive calculations.
On-The-Job Training
  • Learned how to use MCNP, a Monte Carlo code used to simulate radiation transport through systems with complex geometries and materials.
  • Developed proficiency in creating graphs and tables using Novel's Quattro Pro spreadsheet.
Community Service and Involvement
  • Introduced groups of local elementary school students to electronics by supervising construction of simple circuits on breadboards.
Travel and Leisure
  • Went skiing at Big Mountain Ski Resort (Montana).
  • Visited Vancouver, British Columbia and went skiing at Whistler Ski Resort.
  • Went camping and hiking in Olympic National Park.
  • Moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to start my third EMPDP rotation at Westinghouse Electro-Mechanical Division.
 
PQI Engineer, 1996-1998
Performance and Quality Improvement
Westinghouse Electro-Mechanical Division
Cheswick, Pennsylvania, USA
 
Background
  • The Electro-Mechanical Division provided services to the U.S. commercial nuclear industry.
  • I was given the responsibility for managing the procurement and installation of $500K worth of equipment used in refurbishing contaminated reactor coolant pumps.
Responsibilities
  • Created design specifications for four new facilities:
    • a massive high-temperature oven to be used for "burning out" radioactive contaminants inside the stators of reactor coolant pumps used inside nuclear power plants
    • a blasting booth in which the contaminated baked resins and ash could be removed safely
    • a painting booth to be used for painting refurbished motors
    • an evaporator to be used to reduce the volume of contaminated waste water generated during the refurbishment process
  • Wrote funding proposals.
  • Worked with vendors to develop competitive bids for equipment and services.
  • Evaluated bids and selected suppliers.
  • Supervised installations.
  • Performed radiological safety analysis calculations to verify regulatory compliance.
  • Worked with the County Health Department, State Department of Environmental Protection and the NRC to ensure full compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
  • Developed detailed facility operating procedures and a program to train workers in the use of the new facilities.
 
Test Engineer, 1997-1998
Test Department
Electro-Mechanical Division
Westinghouse Electric Company
Cheswick, Pennsylvania, USA
 
Background
  • In October 1997 I moved to the Test Department hoping to have a more direct role in manufacturing operations.
  • Was granted a DOE - Q security clearance.
Responsibilities
  • Designed and developed Quality Release Database, an Access application used for tracking quality control information on components and materials used in reactor coolant pumps and motors.
  • Responsible for technical oversight of the Test Department's calibration control computer system. Duties included
    • updating the calibration database, which tracks the calibration of over 4000 instruments
    • acting as the interface between the Test Department and our external calibration supplier
    • providing technical support to calibration technicians
    • investigating and reporting the impact of out-of-tolerance conditions on product assurance
    • reviewing and updating calibration procedures
    • supervising the recall of instruments for calibration
  • Led a Significant Quality Problem Investigation team seeking to rectify problems with the management of EMD's hydrostatic leak test records.
  • Continued managing the procurement and installation of the new reactor coolant pump refurbishment equipment.
Travel and Leisure
  • Spent 1997 Christmas and New Year in England.
  • Visited Chincoteague and Assateague.
 
Technical Lead
July 1998 - January 2001
Engineering Services Y2K Project
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Energy Center
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA
Background
  • The Engineering Services division of Westinghouse is comprised of 14 different engineering analysis groups with a total staff of approximately 200.
  • These groups use over 450 engineering analysis codes written in a variety of languages (FORTRAN, C/C++, Visual Basic) running on a variety of platforms (HP-UX, Solaris, Windows).
  • A large portion of these codes are used in mission critical applications, and are required to conform to some of the toughest quality assurance standards in the software industry (NQA-1).
  • All of these codes needed to be tested for Y2K compliance - a mammoth task!
  • No one in the existing software groups wanted to take on the responsibility (and hassle!) of directing the Y2K effort, so I volunteered.
Responsibilities
  • Developed and implemented procedures for scanning, testing, and documenting the Y2K compliance of the codes.
  • Trained and supervised 3 full-time and 2 part-time workers.
  • Prepared and delivered progress reports for upper level management.
  • Held weekly briefings for all engineers contributing to the effort.
  • Managed project to successful completion on time and within budget.
  • Technologies used: PERL parsers, UNIX shell scripts, Rational ClearCase configuration management tools
 
Software Engineer
February 2000 - October 2000
Software and Systems Technology Group
Westinghouse Nuclear Services Business Unit
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA
Background
  • After the successful conclusion of the Y2K Project, I became a rank-and-file software engineer in the SST group, with wide-ranging responsibilities, including:
    • Developing new applications.
    • Fixing defects and designing and implementing upgrades to existing codes.
    • Supporting periodic V&V efforts to migrate codes onto new versions of HP-UX and Solaris.
    • Performing peer reviews of software changes implemented by fellow group members.
Responsibilities
  • Upgraded a sophisticated Java GUI for FloMap, a code used to analyze piping networks.
  • Designed and developed TrackEMM, an Access database application to assist managers with manpower resource planning.
  • Implemented upgrades to PWSCC, a Visual Basic code used to analyze and classify cracks in steam generator tubes. Used Access for data storage and generated graphs automatically using Excel.
  • Technologies used: Java, Swing, XML, SQL, Visual Basic, Access, FORTRAN, UNIX shell scripts
 
Software Engineer
November 2000 - April 2001
Software Systems Development Group
Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels Business Unit
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA
Background
  • I wanted to learn more about C and C++, so when a job opened up in the Nuclear Fuels Business Unit, I applied and was hired to work on a very important code called Corexpert.
Responsibilities
  • Developed an improved GUI for Corexpert, a very large and complex C++ application used in the design and analysis of nuclear reactor cores.
  • Served on the Reload Process Automation team, developing a system to automate the process of designing, analyzing, and documenting reloads for nuclear reactor cores. Responsible for the design and development of the user interface.
  • Upgraded and redesigned CEPS, an Access database application for manpower resource planning.
  • Technologies used: Oracle JDeveloper, SQL, Java, XML, C++, XMotif, Visual Basic, Access
Travel and Leisure
  • Visited my parents in Colorado.
  • Spent 1998 Christmas and New Year in New Orleans.
  • Visited friends in Charleston, South Carolina and drove up to Myrtle Beach.
 

Training and Education Summary
Formal Degree Programs
I earned two masters degrees at the University of Michigan
under the auspices of a U.S. Department of Energy Graduate Fellowship (for more information, see the 1994 panel):
  • M.Sc. in Nuclear Science, May 1995
    Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies
    Cumulative GPA: A+ (4.1/4.0, 4.0=A)

  • M.Eng. in Radiological Health Engineering, May 1995
    College of Engineering
    Cumulative GPA: A+ (8.2/9.0, 8.0=A)

  • Click here to see an overview of my nuclear science and engineering courses.
I earned my undergraduate degree at Haverford College
(for more information, see the 1976-80 panel):
  • B. Sc. in Physics, 1980
    Cumulative GPA: A- (3.7/4.0, 4.0=A)
Additional College Credit Courses
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
1992-1993
  • Data structures using Modula 2
  • VAX assembly language
  • Concepts of programming language design
  • Cumulative GPA: B (3.1/4.0)
Colorado Technical College
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Fall 1987
  • Electronics
  • Structured programming using FORTRAN
  • CADD / geometrical drawing using CADKEY
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Cumulative GPA: A (4.0/4.0)
On-The-Job Training Courses and Seminars
LION Bioscience, Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
2004
  • Effective Leadership seminars
  • Software Quality Assurance training (Max Planck Institute)
Westinghouse Nuclear Services Business Unit
Westinghouse Energy Center
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA
1998-2001
  • Certified Technical Lead for project management using SAP
  • SkillPath "Fundamentals of Successful Project Management" course
  • Extensive training in the Documentum enterprise content management system
  • "Dealing With Angry Customers" seminar
Westinghouse Electro-Mechanical Division
Cheswick, Pennsylvania, USA
1996-1998
  • Root Cause Analysis training (investigating and identifying QA problems)
  • "The Accounting Game" (introduction to accounting and financial decision making)
  • Developing Database Applications Using Microsoft Access
  • Technical Presentations workshop
  • Technical Correspondence workshop
  • Meeting Facilitation Skills workshop
Westinghouse Hanford Company
Richland, Washington, USA
1995-1996
  • DOE Radworker II certification course
  • DOT Basic Hazardous Materials Transportation, Hazardous Waste, and Radioactive Materials courses as prescribed in 49 CFR 172, Subpart H
  • Radiation Shielding Analysis using Microshield and ISOSHLD
  • Familiar with many regulations and standards, including ANSI, DOT, EPA, ICRP, and NRC
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
1994
  • DOE Radworker II certification course
 
Software Developer
June 2001 - December 2002
LION Bioscience Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
About LION Bioscience, Ltd.
  • SRS is the world's leading integration platform for bioinformatics. It is used by 17 of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies, and by more than 300 universities all over the globe.
  • SRS allows pharma and biotech researchers to find and retrieve data stored natively in a variety of formats, including flat files, XML, and relational databases.
  • In April of 2006, LION was bought by a company called Biowisdom.
  • To facilitate the sale, LION's parent company, LION Bioscience AG, laid off 50% of the workforce, including most of the developers and all of the test and documentation personnel.
  • I was a casualty of this lay-off (my employment with LION terminated on March 31, 2006).
  • I was sad to leave a company to which I had devoted so much of my creative energy over the last five years, but I hope that this strategic move will ensure the future viability of SRS, which is a truly great product.
About My Role at LION
  • I was hired based on my experience with C++ and XML at Westinghouse, and was assigned to work on beefing up support for XML in SRS.
  • During my first year at LION, I worked closely with a Senior Developer who had created a rudimentary XML support framework.
  • Together we made several significant improvements:
    • greatly expanded the range of features offered
    • improved conformance with the XML Version 1.0 Standard
    • improved the performance and reliability of the code
  • By the end of my first year, I assumed full responsibility for XML support in SRS, and continued in this role of "XML Project Lead" until I left LION in March 2006.
Responsibilities
  • made major improvements to the C++ architecture used for indexing and loading
  • worked with customers and our internal Support team to identify and implement a variety of useful new features
  • developed a rigorous and comprehensive suite of automated regression tests for XML functionality using LION’s proprietary SRSPLAN system:
    • this suite was instrumental in identifying numerous bugs in the SRS kernel
    • it has also made the XML functionality in SRS extremely reliable and bug-free
    • it was highlighted several times by my manager as an example to other developers
  • designed, coded, wrote documentation, managed defects, supported customers, and trained fellow LION employees in XML and related technologies (e.g. XSLT, XML Schema)
  • supervised and mentored a bright young college student from France during a six-month internship; after graduating, this student joined LION and became a very valuable member of the SRS core development group
  • prepared and delivered a presentation on XML support at the September 2002 SRS User Group Meeting in Cambridge
  • Technologies used: C/C++, STL, W3C Standards, XML Schema, XPath, XSL/T, Emacs, CVS
 
Software Developer
May 2001 - June 2001
Weather Risk Advisory, Ltd.
Longstanton, UK
  • Developed a Java Swing GUI for a weather futures trading application.
  • Developed a novel Monte Carlo method for estimating probability distributions for rainfall.
  • Technologies used: Java, Swing, J2EE, JBuilder, SQL, Visual Basic
Travel and Leisure
  • Went on a tent-camping holiday for two weeks in Cornwall, UK.
  • Visited Helen's parents in Devon, UK.
 

Leadership and Project Management
Highlights
  • Successfully managed LION's web interface development team through two major releases.

  • Served as Technical Lead for the Westinghouse Y2K Project, managing a budget of over $800K.

  • Designed and developed three major new industrial facilities for Westinghouse with a total budget of $500K.
 
Software Development Manager, 2004-2005
Web Interface Team
LION Bioscience Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
Background
  • SRS is the world's leading integration platform for bioinformatics.
  • It is used by 17 of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies, and by more than 300 universities all over the globe.
  • SRS allows pharma and biotech researchers to find and retrieve data stored natively in a variety of formats, including flat files, XML, and relational databases.
Responsibilities
  • Served as Software Development Manager for the SRS Web Interface team through two major releases (SRS 8.0 and SRS 8.1).
  • Presided over a highly successful refactoring of the web interface (SRS 8.1) to make powerful features of SRS much more accessible to novice users, thereby greatly expanding the potential customer base for the product.
  • Supervised three full-time developers and liaised with other group leads (middle tier, web services, support, test, and documentation) to ensure efficient integration of the web interface with other components of SRS.
  • Technologies used: JSP/JavaScript/HTML/CSS, Tomcat, Spring MVC, web services, Eclipse
 
Technical Lead, 1998-2000
Engineering Services Y2K Project
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Energy Center
Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA
Background
  • The Engineering Services division of Westinghouse is comprised of 14 different engineering analysis groups with a total staff of approximately 200.
  • These groups use over 450 engineering analysis codes written in a variety of languages (FORTRAN, C/C++, Visual Basic) running on a variety of platforms (HP-UX, Solaris, Windows).
  • A large portion of these codes are used in mission critical applications, and are required to conform to some of the toughest quality assurance standards in the software industry (NQA-1).
  • All of these codes needed to be tested for Y2K compliance - a mammoth task!
  • No one in the existing software groups wanted to take on the responsibility (and hassle!) of directing the Y2K effort, so I volunteered.
Responsibilities
  • Responsible for developing and implementing procedures for scanning, testing, and documenting the Y2K compliance of the codes.
  • Trained and supervised 3 full-time and 2 part-time workers.
  • Prepared and delivered progress reports for upper level management.
  • Held weekly briefings for all engineers contributing to the effort.
  • Managed project to successful completion on time and within budget.
  • Technologies used: PERL parsers, UNIX shell scripts, Rational ClearCase configuration management tools
 
PQI Engineer, 1996-1998
Performance and Quality Improvement
Westinghouse Electro-Mechanical Division
Cheswick, Pennsylvania, USA
Background
  • The Electro-Mechanical Division provided services to the U.S. commercial nuclear industry.
  • I was given the responsibility for managing the procurement and installation of $500K worth of equipment used in refurbishing contaminated reactor coolant pumps.
Responsibilities
  • Created design specifications for four new facilities:
    • a massive high-temperature oven to be used for "burning out" radioactive contaminants inside the stators of reactor coolant pumps used inside nuclear power plants
    • a blasting booth in which the contaminated baked resins and ash could be removed safely
    • a painting booth to be used for painting refurbished motors
    • an evaporator to be used to reduce the volume of contaminated waste water generated during the refurbishment process
  • Wrote funding proposals.
  • Worked with vendors to develop competitive bids for equipment and services.
  • Evaluated bids and selected suppliers.
  • Supervised installations.
  • Performed safety analysis calculations to verify regulatory compliance.
 
Senior Software Engineer
January 2003 - March 2004
LION Bioscience Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
Background
  • I was promoted to Senior Software Engineer in 2003.
Responsibilities
  • Continued to expand and improve support for XML in SRS, working with customers and our internal Support team to identify weaknesses and useful new features.
  • Continued building a comprehensive suite of automated regression tests for XML functionality using LION’s proprietary SRSPLAN system:
    • this suite was instrumental in identifying numerous bugs in the SRS kernel
    • it has also made the XML functionality in SRS extremely reliable and bug-free
    • it was highlighted several times by my manager as an example to other developers
  • Designed, coded, wrote documentation, managed defects, supported customers, and trained fellow LION employees in XML and related technologies (e.g. XSLT, XML Schema).
  • Prepared and delivered a Webex presentation on XML support in SRS for LION's global Support and Development teams (March 2004).
  • Supervised and mentored a bright young college student from Germany during a six-month internship.
 
Software Development Manager
April 2004 - March 2005
Web Interface Team
LION Bioscience Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
Background
  • I was promoted to the position of Software Development Manager in April 2004, and assumed responsibility for leading the newly-formed Web Interface Team.
  • I managed the team through two major releases (SRS 8.0 and SRS 8.1).
  • The SRS 8.1 release involved a major refactoring of the web interface to make powerful features of SRS much more accessible to novice users, thereby greatly expanding the potential customer base for the product.
Responsibilities
  • Supervised three full-time developers.
  • Liaised with other group leads (middle tier, web services, support, test, and documentation) to ensure efficient integration of the web interface with other components of SRS.
  • Played an active role in all phases of interface development:
    • gathered requirements from Sales and Marketing and wrote requirements documentation
    • worked with members of my team on the design and development of the new interface
    • conducted regular team meetings to monitor progress
    • arranged for an HCI consultant from Cambridge University to work with us on improving the interface design
    • reported progress to senior management
    • wrote user documentation
    • assisted a customer with installing and configuring SRS during the Beta test period
    • managed the final release cycle (tracking and eliminating defects)
    • produced a highly successful new version of SRS that was greeted with enthusiasm by our customers
  • Technologies used: JSP/JavaScript/HTML/CSS, Tomcat, web services
Travel and Leisure
  • Spent a week in the Lake District, UK.
 

Community Service and Involvement
Volunteer, 1996
Local Elementary School "Careers" Day
Richland, Washington, USA
  • Introduced groups of students to electronics by supervising construction of simple circuits on breadboards.
 
Volunteer, 1991-1993
Fountain Valley School
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
While teaching at FVS, I became active on a voluntary basis in many activities aimed at enriching the lives of the students:
  • Volunteered to take groups of new students on backpacking trips into the Rocky Mountains during orientation week.
  • Worked on stage crew for a school production of the musical Grease! ; designed, built, and operated a computerized "Juke Box" stage lighting system.
  • Sang in the student/teacher madrigal group.
  • Volunteered to chaperone senior class students during "Senior Seminar" week; organized and participated in community service activities with seniors.
 
Chorus Member, 1989-1990
International Festival Chorus
Singapore
  • Sang tenor in performances of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Haydn's Creation, in conjunction with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
 
Volunteer, 1987
District 11 Elementary Schools
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Presented "enrichment" sessions on the customs and culture of Japan to several groups of sixth-graders. Presentations included:
  • a slide show illustrating many facets of everyday life in Japan
  • a description of interesting experiences I had during the seven years I lived there
  • a hands-on display of Japanese souvenirs (toys, clothing, consumer goods, etc.)
  • an introduction to Japanese language (pronunciation, explanation of writing systems, useful words and phrases, songs, games, etc.)
 
Workshop Presenter, 1986
Kanto Plains International Schools Annual Conference
Yokohama, Japan
  • Presented a workshop on introducing electronics into the high school curriculum.
 
Drama and Music Volunteer, 1981-1987
Yokohama International School
Yokohama, Japan
In Japan, I was heavily involved in supporting drama and music, both inside the school and in the community at large.
  • Presented a drama workshop for a group of student thespians at neighboring St. Maur International School (1981).
  • Co-directed two plays (Mystery at Blackwater  and The Importance of Being Ernest) with a drama teacher at St. Maur, featuring students from both schools (1981-82); I also played the part of the butler in The Importance of Being Ernest .
  • Played violin in a small student/teacher ensemble; we performed at YIS graduation ceremonies and gave a few concerts for students and parents (1981-82).
  • Volunteered to stage a production of the musical West Side Story involving students and teachers from YIS and nearby St. Joseph International School (1986); my responsibilities included:
    • staging and directing scenes
    • choreographing all of the dance sequences and teaching the dances to the actors
    • designing and building a complete stage-lighting system, plus sound effects equipment
    • coordinating the efforts of numerous volunteers (set designers, musical directors, costume makers)
    • managing all of the business side of the production (advertising, ticket sales, paying royalties, etc.)
  • My wife staged an elementary school production of Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo (1987); I volunteered to set up and operate the stage lighting system I had developed for West Side Story .
  • Provided sound effects for a St. Maur production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1987)
 
Amateur Thespian, 1980-1987
Yokohama Amateur Dramatic Club
Yokohama, Japan
  • I appeared in a variety of YADC productions:
    • Neil Simon's Come Blow Your Horn (1980)
    • a collection of Neil Simon comedy sketches (1980)
    • David Wood's Babes in the Magic Wood (1985)
    • The Fantasticks (1987)
  • I also worked backstage:
    • provided sound effects for Tom Stoppard's Night and Day (1983)
    • worked on stage crew for David Wood's Old Mother Hubbard (1984) (ask me about this one - it was a hoot!)
    • created and operated a lighting system for a collection of one act plays by Harold Pinter (1987)
 
Violinist, 1981-1982
Yokohama Symphony Orchestra
Yokohama, Japan
  • Played second violin in the YSO, an amateur orchestra open to residents of Yokohama.
 
Extracurricular Activities, 1977-1980
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Served as a "Resident Customsman" during my sophomore year, providing orientation and guidance to a group of precocious Freshmen and two women transfer students living in my residence hall (1977).
  • Wrote, directed, and starred in a Vaudeville-style musical production for Haverford's annual "Class Night" competition (1977).
  • Sang in the Haverford / Bryn Mawr Chorale (1977-1980).
  • Played on Haverford's intercollegiate volleyball team (1979).
  • Played on Bryn Mawr's intercollegiate archery team (1979).
  • Appeared in a Haverford College production of Tenessee Williams' Summer and Smoke (1979).
 
Senior Software Engineer
April 2005 - March 2006
LION Bioscience Ltd.
Cambridge, UK
Background
  • In January of 2005, I was offered a promotion to a higher-level management position within LION, but I declined. (At the time, my wife was just finishing her MBA, and we felt there was a strong possibility we would be moving away from the Cambridge area to enable Helen to find better employment opportunities.)

  • During my final year at LION, I frequently stepped back into a leadership role on the Web Interface Team because my new manager was heavily involved in projects that required him to be away from the office.

  • The next release (SRS 8.2) ushered in major improvements to the SRS web interface, including:

    • a complete refactoring of the middle-tier architecture to use the Spring MVC framework, greatly improving performance and reliability

    • a new "Summary Sheets" feature that allows scientists to assemble comprehensive information about a specific biological entity into a well-organized, customizable, exportable report

    • a new "Annotations" feature that allows researchers to attach comments to any database entry and share these notes with team members

    • a new "Favorite Queries" feature that allows users to create and manage reusable queries

    • a simplified user interface design that makes many powerful features of SRS more intuitive and accessible to novice users

    • improvements to the "Predefined Queries" feature that make it easier for SRS administrators to create complex generic queries

    • expansion of the "Synonyms" feature that allows users to include synonymous terms in their queries

    • new personalization features that allow users to tailor the interface to their particular tastes and modes of operation
Responsibilities
  • Created complete requirements specifications for most of the new features in SRS 8.2, including:
    • Summary Sheets
    • Annotations
    • Favorite Queries
    • Predefined Queries
    • Synonyms

    This process involved
    • liasing with the Sales and Marketing team to gather requirements from customers
    • organizing internal meetings with developers to review requirements and develop designs
    • soliciting feedback from internal and external users and factoring it into requirements and design revisions
    • writing, updating, and disseminating all documentation
    • reporting project status to upper level management

  • Created complete design specifications for the new Favorite Queries, Predefined Queries, and Synonyms functionality.

  • Was responsible for all code development relating to the Predefined Queries, Synonyms, and Favorite Queries features. This included writing:
    • Spring web page controllers and associated modules (using Java)
    • web pages (using HTML, JSP, JavaScript, and CSS)
    • new Predefined Queries (using Icarus, LION's proprietary scripting language)
    • user documentation for the new features

  • Assumed responsibility for liasing with customers and the Sales and Marketing team to elicit feedback on the new interface:
    • Prepared a demonstration of the new Summary Sheets functionality and made a presentation at GSK's research facility in Stevenage.
    • Prepared a Webex demonstration of the new web interface for LION's global Sales and Marketing team.
    • Prepared a Webex demonstration of the new web interface for customers attending a web-based seminar.
    • Compiled feedback acquired during prototype testing by visiting biologists
    • Prepared and presented a day-long training session for customers attending an on-site "SRS 8.2 Beta Test Workshop" in January 2006.
    • Gathered and documented all feedback and used it to refine and improve the requirements and design specifications.
    • Organized meetings to disseminate feedback to the development team.

  • Liaised with other group leads (web services, support, test, and documentation) to ensure efficient integration of the web interface with other components of SRS.
Travel and Leisure
  • Went on a caravan holiday in Challaborough, South Devon, UK.
  • Spent Christmas in Amsterdam.
  • Took a ten-day vacation to Tunisia.
  • Went on a caravan holiday in Wemyss Bay, Scotland.
  • Moved back to the USA.
 
University of Michigan Graduate Program Overview
Color code: Nuclear Sc.
      Courses      		 Rad. Health Eng.
   Courses   		 Dual Credit
      Courses      

Medical RHE

Grade: A+   (3 Credits)

 Nuclear Measurements Laboratory

Grade: A   (4 Credits)
Risk / Benefit Analysis

Grade: A+   (3 Credits)
Engineering Aspects of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Grade: A   (2 Credits)		 RHE Project /
RHE Practicum / Masters Thesis

Grade: S   (7 Credits)		 Radiological Environmental Assessment

Grade: A-   (3 Credits)

Radiation Dosimetry

Grade: A+   (4 Credits)
Biogeochemical Cycles

Grade: A+   (3 Credits)
Radiation Biology

Grade: A   (4 Credits)
Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology

Grade: A   (3 Credits)
Materials Properties
of Nuclear Fuels

Grade: A-   (3 Credits)		 Introduction to Nuclear Fission Reactors

Grade: A+   (4 Credits)
Elements of Nuclear Engineering I

Grade: A+   (3 Credits)

 Radiation Shielding

Grade: B+   (3 Credits)
 Special Topics I
(RHE Fundamentals)

Grade: A+   (3 Credits)
Image Gallery
 
The following diagrams were incorporated into various MBA assignments, and demonstrate a variety of styles and techniques. To see a full-sized image, click on any of the thumbnails.