Knowledge from Nothing: Creating Data Pipelines for User Insights from Zero

Data is the key to understanding how users interact with and experience your product at scale. Leaders value timely, accurate, and actionable data but there are many complexities involved in initially building the required infrastructure and preparing it for further growth. Often, developers are given the task of creating this infrastructure without guidance on how to architect the data and which technologies to use.

In this talk, I will cover the essentials of building a new data pipeline to collect raw data and transform it into easily-understandable graphs and tables. You will be able to deliver valuable, actionable insights which enable product managers, leaders, and stakeholders to make informed decisions on the product priorities and customer experience.

Presented at DevFest Vancouver in November 2023.

Ascending the Ranks from Junior to Intermediate as a Developer

Are you a junior developer, feeling inexperienced and as if you are still learning the ropes? This is the right time to start planning to become an intermediate developer.

In this talk, I will guide you with practical steps towards discovering and achieving the requirements for promotion to the next level. You'll also gain insights on how to excel as a developer and showcase your abilities more effectively.

Presented at DevFest Burnaby in November 2023.

Inclusive Datathons: Vancouver Datajam's Success Story

After organizing diversity focused community data science events for 8 years and running a datathon for 5, I have learned the many do's and dont's for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and productive experience for participants.

Join the Vancouer Datajam organizing team as we discuss the case study of the Vancouver Datajam and it's unapologetic approach to machine learning and data hacking that is both beginner friendly and advanced.

Modern Data Privacy, or How Potter Lost his Cloak

The age of big data has also ushered in the age of unrestrained data collection through methods such as monitoring, observability, cookies, and logging. This often leads to a significant loss of privacy, exacerbated by vulnerabilities and data breaches. Regulations exist to increase privacy and transparency, but we must go beyond to ensure that users' data (our own data!) is properly and responsibly handled.

In this talk, I will discuss the risks caused by overcollection, current regulations, and methods for developers and companies to reduce, anonymize, and secure user data.

Introduction to Web Systems

Web systems can be complex to understand and build in high velocity situations like hackathons.

In this talk, I discuss the fundamental components and high-level architecture required to set up and run a basic self-built web application such as domains, IP addresses, HTTP requests, REST operations, front-ends, back-ends, and my recommended web technologies for fast iteration.

Presented at the PennApps XX 2019 hackathon.