University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California
2014-2018
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As a student at UC San Diego, I'm currently pursuing a bachelor of science in Computer Science, a minor in Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts, and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This unique blend of subject areas initially came from my involvement in Virtual Reality projects, where I discovered a newfound passion for emerging technology that incorporates certain aspects of the arts. These minors allowed me to pursue emerging technology and digital media on an academic level, and opened up a myriad of new project and management classes specifically designed for engineers and those who work in teams. Needless to say, I've found all the new coursework in both minors incredibly useful for my major and my own interests.
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Mountain View High School
Tucson, Arizona
2010-2014
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I attended Mountain View High School in Tucson, Arizona. I ultimately graduated 5th in a class of 373, with a GPA of 4.3. I was fortunate enough to have an AP Computer Science class offered on campus, which gave me my very first taste of Computer Science in an academic setting. During this time, I also became very active and involved on campus, ultimately holding officer positions in numerous clubs and organizations. I was President of the Model United Nations club, Webmaster of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter, Vice-President of the AP club, officer and first chair in the band, Founder and President of the debate club, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Club.
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Virtual Reality
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Virtual Reality is my passion, and an integral part of the person I am today. In fact, I believe it's so important in my life that I've created an entire tab for it on my About page! Today, I am the President of the VR Club at UCSD, an active undergraduate VR researcher, a VR workshop leader and public speaker, and a developer who dedicates to defining a growing industry.
I love to tell the story of how I first encountered Virtual Reality, and if you're willing to do a bit of reading, I truly believe that my own experience can inspire you. For a list of my actual VR projects, visit the Projects page on my website! |
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A Brief History
As a starry-eyed freshman during my first quarter at UC San Diego, I found myself at HackSC with hardly any idea of what a "Hackathon" even was. I didn't know what I wanted to make, I wasn't sure if I even had the skills to make anything cool. Yet, somehow, in a moment of luck and determination, I got the chance to use an Oculus Rift. At the time, Virtual Reality seemed like something from the future, and definitely not something I thought I'd ever get the chance to develop with. Of course, I'd followed the news, I'd been fascinated with descriptions, but how could I predict that I would suddenly have one handed to me for the next 36 hours? Indeed, 36 hours later, I had created my first Virtual Reality experience. It was a simple game, formed from a mix of sleep deprivation, hours of tutorial videos, and a very basic understanding of the tools I was using. Yet, when time for demos came, people were absolutely fascinated. They were projected into a whole new world, one that previously I had never even dreamed of. Now, I had created that world in one short weekend. Not only that, but I had learned two new programming languages, implemented three unfamiliar pieces of hardware (Oculus Rift, Myo Armband, and Leap Motion), and had my first encounter with Unity3D. Needless to say, that weekend left a lasting impression
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Fast Forward
Two years later, I had created over sixteen Virtual Reality projects, won six awards for them, engaged in undergraduate VR research, helped start the VR Club at UCSD, and had overall decided that I wanted a future in the VR industry. I had gained the power to create worlds, and in doing so, change and improve the one we live in. I made environmental projects, health projects, educational, and entertainment projects. Those 36 hours had changed my life, my future, my focus and my passion. I had found what I loved, and stuck to it. To this day, I continue to work with new emerging technology, and strongly believe in the power of VR as a new form of digital media. |
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So, Why VR?
Virtual Reality is a medium with the very unique power to completely immerse users in virtual worlds. Unlike two-dimensional media, I like to call VR creations experiences, because that's what they are. When you put on that headset, you're not just "playing" something, or "watching" something. You are truly "experiencing" a new world, one that exists all around you. These worlds can be interactive, informative, wild, or normal. They can be awe-inspiring, humbling, massive, or small. Virtual Reality can inspire emotion, strike fear, convey meaning, and retain attention unlike anything that has ever existed. Would you rather read about history in a textbook, or fly backwards in time to experience the past? Talk to famous historical figures? Delve into class literary novels? What if you could ride a roller-coaster, complete with the terrifying falls and suspenseful lifts? What if, from the comfort of your own home, you found yourself in space, with Jupiter directly behind you? All of these feats, previously unfathomable, are now possible. |
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In Conclusion
The possibilities of Virtual Reality are truly endless, and there is so much potential for innovative content. This is why I've chosen to pursue Virtual Reality and, in truth, all emerging technology. Every moment, new incredible devices are released into the world. Augmented Reality is beginning to enter the scene, blending the worlds in a way never seen before. The line between real life and virtual life is thinning, and I'm doing everything I can to push it even farther. |
Trumpet
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My life as a musician began when I was living in Venezuela and was required to play the recorder in a music class. Ok, I admit, as an elementary schooler, I wasn't truly invested in my instrument. Several years later at the same school, I took a required band class and played the baritone. I didn't like the baritone.
When I arrived in Tucson, Arizona, I decided that I wanted to keep playing music, but felt that it was time for something new. This time, I chose to play the trumpet, and rented the most beginner instrument available in order to teach myself before joining any formal band program. |
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Six years later, when I graduated High School, I was still playing. Not only did I stick with the trumpet, but I had invested a vast portion of my time in band and trumpet performance. I was first chair in the Wind Ensemble, an officer in the marching band, and a proud member of the Jazz Band on campus. In the community, I auditioned competitively and sat first chair in both the University of Arizona Honor Band and the South-Central Regional Honor Band. Even more exciting, I traveled to Europe with the Arizona Ambassadors of Music during my Junior year of High School.
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Now, in college, I still try to play whenever possible. On occasion, I play with the UC San Diego Pep Band, and in the past, I have been a member of the campus Wind Ensemble. Though my focus has shifted to Computer Science, I still retain my passion for music and practice at every available opportunity. This is a skill, and a joy, that I hope to have far into the future.
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Personal Background
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Though I was born in Danville, California, all of my childhood memories come from growing up in Caracas, Venezuela. My family, moved there when I was six years old, and we stayed for a total of seven years. Of course, as a child, I was blind to any form of political turmoil and instead enjoyed my time as a student at Escuela Campo Alegre, an American International school that I attended for the duration of my time as an expat. Growing up overseas gave me a strong appreciation for diversity, and I strongly believe that living in Venezuela helped me develop a definitive global mindset.
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Inevitably, after seven years, my family returned to the United States and I enrolled in an Arizona public school, after which I attended Mountain View High School. This was an interesting experience in itself as I attempted to adapt, once again, to a new system of education. Flexibility and perseverance became vital traits that I embodied in order to ensure success and complete yet another cultural metamorphosis. I lived in Tucson for the next six years as an only child with my parents and, equally important, my two cats.
On the right, you can see typical Tucson weather. Just kidding. It only snowed once in my six years living there. |
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After many years of hot summers, cold nights, and cactus in every direction, I decided that I wanted to attend college in California. After all, it seemed like that's where every major technological innovation was coming from.
In the end, I chose to attend the University of California in San Diego, drawn by it's beautiful campus and prestigious Computer Science program. After a six hour drive, I found my new home in La Jolla, and have never looked back. |