DEREK NISSEN
DESIGNER / SOFTWARE ENGINEER
ABOUT
Thank you for visiting my page!
I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri - Columbia
pursuing a degree in computer science with minor certificates in business and
mathematics. I aspire to be well-versed in all parts of the stack while making
effective business decisions. I originally acquired my foundational skills in
software development through self-teaching. I formally began my CS education at
Summit Technology Academy during high school.
In my time outside of school, I explore new
applications of large language models in the context of digital phenotyping.
EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Missouri
Collaborate with graduate students and faculty mentors in a 10-week,
full-time research program funded by the National Science Foundation.
Design a data analysis pipeline that utilizes the retrieval-augmented generation
technique to describe and predict digital phenotyping data.
Develop skills needed to pursue advanced degrees in computer science research.
MAY 2024 - JULY 2024
Web Development Intern
ThermAvant International
Design and re-platform new and responsive e-commerce site from scratch using
HTML, CSS, JS, Firebase, and Python.
Integrate Stripe to enable credit card processing for online transactions.
Utilize Mailchimp API to automate the addition of new website users to mailing lists.
Program digital tools to allow business admins to easily edit products and articles.
Write documentation and maintain/moderate new website.
APRIL 2024 - PRESENT
ORGANIZATIONS
Assistant Coordinator
Missouri Hacks
Oversee planning committees for annual high school hackathon at the University of Missouri - Columbia
Verify integrity of marketing and educational material.
Assist teams with technical tasks including, but not limited to, graphic design, web development, digital marketing, and event coordination.
FEBRUARY 2024 - PRESENT
Web Development SIG Lead
Mizzou Computing Association
Mentor university students in web development, primarily in HTML, CSS, & JavaScript.
Prepare lessons and mini projects that strengthen students' understanding of web development fundamentals.
JANUARY 2024 - JANUARY 2025
WORK
FRIENDS
Yuri Batan
Software Engineer Intern - Walmart
Carter Cox
Quality Engineer Intern - Archer
Michaela Duran
Pharmaceutical Development Intern - Catalent
Tanner Kuchar
Cerner Scholar - Oracle
Omari Mourning
Cerner Scholar - Oracle
Ashton Wooster
Research Assistant - University of Missouri