Alex Vargas

Computer Science Ph.D. student at The University of Texas at El Paso.
My research interest lies in knowledge representation / semantic workflows / data portability.
I'm a current member of Cyber-ShARE's iLink group.

Experience

Graduate Research Associate

The University of Texas at El Paso

Code optimization for a native Java application
Development of an Android application for non-tech-savy end-users
Publish web sites on development server
Conduct research on Smart Cities solutions: Understand and improve the urban mobility of older adults in El Paso, Texas. Software development using Android Studio followed by a Flutter development.
Oversee peers

Fall 2016 - Spring 2019
Fall 2019 - Current

Visiting Research Assistant - Intern

University of Southern California, Supervisor: Dr. Yolanda Gil

Research and development of a semantical-based technology for the sharing and reusing of scientific environmental models. Development using GWT, Java, and ontologies.

Summer 2018

Ph.D. Teaching Assistant

The University of Texas at El Paso

Spring 2019 Introduction to Computer Science (CS1) – Prepare lectures, teach labs scaffolding, coaching and mentoring students, grading, assist instructor, coordinate with other assistants

Spring 2019

Research

Study Abroad project

Implement a Smart City solution on Android for blind individuals using IBM's visual recognition and text-to-speech services. Joint work between The University of Texas at El Paso and Guadalajara University (Mexico)

Summer 2017

Research

Data mining course project

Implement a data mining solution whose aim is to predict food disease outbreaks using Yelp · Implemented a Naïve-Bayes solution

Spring 2017

Research

Sustainable water systems course project

Develop a framework to analyze current water treaty between the United States and Mexico in an interdisciplinary team

Spring 2017

Full-stack developer

Autonomous University of Juarez City

Developer of web (Java and Grails) applications using state-of-the-art frameworks · Developer of mobile applications (Android) using Eclipse and Android Studio

January 2008 - August 2016

System administrator

Autonomous University of Juarez City

Administration, configuration, and maintenance of development and production servers using Ubuntu Linux (LTS)

January 2008 - August 2016

Education

The University of Texas at El Paso

Ph.D.
Computer Science

Advisor: Natalia Villanueva-Rosales Ph.D.

August 2016 - Present

The University of Texas at El Paso

Masters degree
Master in Science in Computer Science

Advisor: Natalia Villanueva-Rosales Ph.D.

2018

Autonomous University of Chihuahua

Masters degree
Master's in Free Software
2015

Autonomous University of Juarez City

Bachelor degree
Bachelor in Computer Systems Engineering
2007

Publications

Skills

Programming Languages & Tools
Workflow
  • Mobile-First, Responsive Design
  • Cross Browser Testing & Debugging

Interests

Spending time with my wife and two kids keep me busy while not working on my studies.
You can find us at the local museum La Rodadora, or feeding Modesto at the "Parque Central Hermanos Escobar", or at the El Paso Zoo.

I love swimming, I have been practicing it for the last 5 years which has helped me improve my butterfly swimming style (150 meters as of March 2018), I usually go to the Rec Center.
Photography has recently caught my attention and I help my brother with his photography studio.
I volunteer my free time (which unfortunately is not much) to the neighbourhood committee where I live.

Awards