Hello! My name is Nicholas (Nick), and I am a first-year graduate student at UC Irvine obtaining my Master's in Statistics.
I am a graduate from Purdue Unviersity with a dual major in Computer Science and Applied Statistics. My career goals are to be able to implement what I learn in Computer Vision or Natural Language Processing models in the space industry, as I have previously interned at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for three summers working on CV models with satellite imagery.
In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, reading science-fiction novels, listening to music, going to the gym, or hanging out with my friends. I have also been trying to embark on
my mixology journey recently! The rest of this page is my comprehensive resume, but for more short blurbs about my life, check out my
blog page.
Education
M.S., Statistics, X.XX GPA, June 2027
University of California Irvine - Irvine, CA
Coursework:
- STATS 200A -- Intermediate Probability and Statistical Theory*
- STATS 210 -- Statistical Methods I: Linear Models*
- STATS 270 -- Stochastic Processes*
B.S., Double Major - Computer Science, Applied Statistics, 3.50 GPA, May 2025
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
Relevant Coursework:
- CS 373 -- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- CS 381 -- Intro to Algorithm Analysis
- CS 439 -- Intro to Data Visualization
- CS 440 -- Large Scale Data Analytics
- CS 471 -- Intro to Artificial Intelligence
- STAT 416 -- Probability
- STAT 417 -- Statistical Theory
- STAT 506 -- Statistical Programming and Data Management
- STAT 520 -- Time Series Analysis
- STAT 525 -- Intermediate Statistical Methodology
- STAT 526 -- Advanced Statistical Methodology
(Courses Marked with a * are currently in progress)
Work Experience
Processing Algorithms and Calibration Engineering Intern NASA JPL - Padadena, CA, May - August 2025
- Embedded a Variational Autoencoder into a Denoising-Diffusion Probabilistic Model to create a Latent Diffusion Model
- Designed a feature to give users greater control and flexibility in generating consistent images through specifying a mean and variance
- LDM used on satellite imagery as in previous summers
Resident Assistant, Cary Quad Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN, August 2022 - May 2025
- Created a community through hosting and promoting social events
- Ensured safety of 40 residents inside of housing units throughout the academic year
- Provided information about campus activities and resources by creating fliers and newsletters
- Mitigated problems between residents and solve soituational issues
Architecture and Systems Engineering Intern NASA JPL - Pasadena, CA, May - July 2023, May - July 2024
- Developed a DDPM to create synthetic images of roads and buildings, then applied curated masks
- Implemented an RCNN algorithm that identified buildings, roads, and trees from satellite imagery
- Wrote a script that converted previously made json files to Microsoft's COCO format
- Presented self-made progress reports at biweekly stand-up meetings, as well as a cumulative final report
Parsons Director Camp Emerald Bay - Avalon CA, June - August 2021, June - August 2022
- Served as director of beach lifeguards for a Boy Scout camp involving Scouts aged 11-17
- Managed a group of 10 Staff members, assigning each to different tasks every day
- Dealt with complaints and criticism from adult leaders and acted accordingly
- Added educational aspects to camp program to teach about fish / wildlife encountered
Skills
- Languages - Python, SAS, R, Java, C
- Dev Tooms - Vim, Pytorch, Matplotlib, Numpy, Github, Jupyter Notebook
- Soft Skills - Leadership, problem-solving, communication, presentations, staff management
Personal Projects
Webcam Hand Painting, August 2025 - September 2025
- Track a users hand movement and allow them to draw where their finger lies
- Written in python, using Google's mediapipe and opencv2: Link to Project
Mario Party Minigame Image Recognition, June 2024 - Present
- Utilize image recognition packages to play different games from Mario Party at an above-human level
- Written in Python, using pyautogui and numpy: Link to Project
Spotify and You, November 2023 - December 2023
- Visualize a user's Spotify listening history of the past year, and show their top tracks and artists
- Written in Python, using matplotlib and pandas: Link to Project
Special Awards
Garafolo Award, April 2024
- Awarded for superb work in the RA Role; for leadership amongst other staff, community buildiing, and being timely
- Awarded to one Cary Quad RA per year
Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, August 2021
- Nominated for outstanding service to others over the course of 3 years
- Honor is voted upon by a committee of peers within the program
Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award, December 2017
- Conceptualized and carried out a large-scale project over a three-month timeframe and oversaw risk management
- Project involved marking area, shoveling dirt, laying foundation, and pouring concrete to construct a sidewalk
- Obtained over $2,000 in fundraising from local businesses and Scout Troop
- Presented to large crowds of over 50 people communicating details of project
