Darin Tao's Profile Picture

Darin Tao

Darin Tao

"The Only Constant in Life Is Change. 😎" - Heraclitus
"The Only Constant in Life Is Change. 😎" - Heraclitus

Hi, there! I am a Software Development Engineer and a current MASc (ECE) student with a specialization in Computer Software at the University of Waterloo. I care about building reliable, secure, and scalable software and I believe in informational self-determination.

My persistant pseudonym is darintao. You can reach me via: my persistant pseudonym AT gmail.com

Work Experience

Software Development Engineer - Mitacs Accelerate Program

Mitacs, Canada
Jan 2022 - Present
  • Actively conduct research on the current cloud technology and the Least Common Denominator problem in multi-cloud and supercloud setting
  • Designed and developed a novel multi-cloud protocol that automates and secures the establishment of connectivity between virtual private clouds (VPCs) in the heterogeneous cloud environment
  • Built a cloud microservice for creating site-to-site VPN connections between heterogeneous clouds using the Django framework, reducing the tedious manual setup process to simple API calls
  • Designed and built a graph-based microservice using Neo4j database and Cypher Query Language
  • Containerized a suite of microservices using Docker and setup Gitlab Runner for CI/CD
  • Developed front-end GUI (sever-side rendering) using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript JQuery
  • Exercised agile development process and DevOps practice

Research Assistant - Learning Analytics

Delta-NTU Corporate Laboratory, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
June 2018 - July 2020
  • Contributed to the development of an AI-powered education-for-enterprise (E4E) e-learning platform that attracted 415 learners in 2 months
  • Contributed to the development of machine learning algorithms that enhance students’ engagement on the e-learning platform, resulting in a nearly 16% increase in the total time spent on the platform per learner
  • Collaborated with senior research scientists in developing machine learning algorithms that predict at-risk students
  • Developed a demo system using React and Flask to showcase the algorithms developed by the team
  • Presented research findings to university stakeholders on a bi-weekly basis and participated in the policy making process

Education

Univeristy of Waterloo

Master of Applied Science - Eletrical and Computer Engineering
Sep 2021 - Dec 2022 (Expected)
Specialization - Computer Software
Academic Supervisor - Mahesh Tripunitara

Cumulative GPA: 93.4/100

Coursework Grade Instructor(s)
CS658 Computer Security and Privacy (Spring 22) 91/100 Ian Goldberg & Diogo Barradas
ECE653 Software Testing, Quality Assurance, and Maintenance (Spring 22) 95/100 Patrick Lam
ECE651 Foundations of Software Engineering (Winter 22) 95/100 Krzysztof Czarnecki
ECE650 Methods and Tools for Software Engineering (Fall 21) 95/100 Vijay Ganesh
ECE606 Algorithm Design and Analysis (Fall 21) 91/100 Mahesh Tripunitara

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Honours (Distinction)
August 2015 - Jan 2019
Academic Supervisors - Andy Khong & Perry Ping Shum

Cumulative GPA: 4.26/5

Skills

Programming Languages & Tools

Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C, C++, HTML5/CSS, PHP, Go, Dafny, Shell, Assembly

Frameworks: React, React Native, Node.js, jQuery, Django, Flask, Cypress, Selenium

Tools & others: Git, Docker, AWS, Azure, GCP, GitLab CI, Ngnix, Jenkins, Jira, Confluence, libFuzzer

Workflow
  • Agile Development & Scrum
  • Mobile-First, Responsive Design
  • Cross Browser Testing & Debugging
  • Cross Cloud Development
  • DevOps + CI/CD

Projects

L'EH Recipe Web App

A recipe website that offers recipe browsing and one-stop order placing experience.
Jan 2022 - Apr 2022

Learning Analytics Dashboard

A dashboard visualizing the developed machine learning algorithms for learning analytics.
June 2018 - July 2020
  • Front-end: React, Bootstrap
  • Back-end: Flask microframework, Tensorflow, PyTorch

Xperience@EEE

A mobile treasure hunting game that supports Android and iOS made for the school of EEE, NTU, Singapore.
Jan 2018 - Dec 2018
  • The app was used by over 100 users cocurrently for an alumni re-union events on March 2018
  • The app was subsequently used in outreach activities, orientation activities, and exchange students bonding activities
  • The app was developed by me and maintained by me until July 2020 (EOL)
  • The app was developed as part of the Xperience@EEE, NTU (website developed by me) project - The first technology-enabled escape room in the world that was built by undergraduate students in a university.
  • Framework Ionic v3, Angular
  • Back-end: Google Firebase

Interests

Apart from being a software developer, I enjoy teaching. I have been a part-time tutor (for both online & offline) since 2017 and had successfully tutored more than 40 students from all over the world (Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, UK, and Bahrain). While I mainly focus on teaching maths, physics, and the Chinese language for GCE O-Level, GCE A-Level, and IBDP syllabuses, I occasionally teach adult learners who wish to study Mandarin for their business needs.

From 2018 to 2020, I assumed the role of a part-time lecturer at a Singaporean professional technical school where I leveraged my engineering background and delivered lectures for a diplima program. The courses I taught include AutoCAD Modelling, Revit BIM Modelling (Structural & MEP), Lighting Design with DiaLux, and PCB Design.

Seeing my students making constant progress in their academic journeies gives me the best feelings in the world.