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Who am I? The longer version.

I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, but I spent a good chunk of my childhood in a small village in the state of Guanajuato. My free time during those days was devoted to hanging out with friends, playing with pet bugs, and filling out grammar books for fun. I also loved to rock climb (the five-foot rock fences). Eventually, I moved to Texas with my family. I grew to love learning, thinking, and doing Soduku and Logic puzzles (which involves both!). At some point, I fell in love with computers, math, and foreign languages. After getting into college, I wrote my first "Hello World!" program in C and life was complete. Well, almost. I've also dabbled in Topology (ie mathy stuff), Philosophy, and Psychology. I'm still undecided Concentration-wise, but I've discovered that life is like a simple C program: everything should work, but there are always syntax errors, null pointers, and memory leaks.

As to my other interests, I spend most of my time on Wikipedia. I love learning. I don't know if that's become evident yet, but I take the idea that knowledge is power to its extremes. I also occasionally wander to Ask A Mathematician or what-if for a random dose of the aforementioned knowledge. Since I'm on a rampage about sites anyhow, I might as well give thanks to The Browser

What about out in the real world? Well, I'm currently an undergraduate at Harvard College. My plan is to concentrate in Computer Science (Kudos to cs50 and Karma points to cs51 and to minor (?) in Applied Mathematics (all of which has now been officially completed!). 2014 was my sophomore year, and now that it is completed, all I can feel is relief! Finally, halfway through my undergraduated education, and still looking forward to continuing further. The material only becomes more exciting the more challenge there is to learning it.

For this summer, I will spend my days working full time for Harvard Forest (did you know that Harvard had a forest!). I will be developing (or, more accurately, continuing the development) of a software package dedicated to

experience

Course Assistant

Harvard University Mathematics Department
August 2013 - Present

Co-teaching introductory course to calculus with Kate Penner. Scheduling of workload and structuring of problem sessions with Jameel Al-Aidroos. Weekly problem sessions. Assignment checking and grading. Teaching experience.

Course Assistant

Harvard University Computer Science Department
August 2013 - Present

Volunteer position as assistant for Computer Science 50 , an introductory undergraduate course to computer science. Run weekly office hours geared at providing support to as large a group of students as possible.}

Student Research Assistant

Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering
May 2013 - August 2013

Lead assistant to Dr. Paul Kassabian and Justin Werfel. Exploring decentralized systems in the contruction of complex structures through localized information gathering. Focus on decision making with local information as opposed to more common centralized approach.

Bureau of Study Council Tutor

Bureau of Study Council at Harvard University
January 2013 - Present

Tutored students in a varied array of mathematical subjects covering classes from Single Variable Pre-Calculus to Multivariable Calculus (Math 21a). Topics touched on include but are not limited to dot product, cross product, polar and spherical coordinates, partial derivatives, Stoke's Theorem, Green's Theorem, and Divergence Theorem. Attended tutoring seminars.

Technology Associate

The Harvard Crimson
January 2013 - Present

Upkeep of The Harvard Crimson website, along with HighRise advertisement database. Launch of The Crimson Store. Django based with administrative interface hosted on Amazon SW3. Heroku development server and git version control.

Software Developer

Freelance
August 2011 - Present

Design and develop websites for personal enrichment purposes. Examples include personal website and Harvard Discuss. Explore different algorithms such as Simplex and write efficient programs to utilize them.

Technology Manager

Act on a Dream at Harvard College
August 2012 - May 2013

Maintain Act on A Dream website. Restructure scholarships database for undocumented students. Wordpress backend and integration for simpler content management. GoogleApps group site and email.

Ranch Hand

Alleluia Hills Ranch
August 2010 - August 2012

Maintained upkeep of ranch. Duties included feeding horses, mowing, watering, cleaning debree, and odd jobs necessary for the well-being of animals. Constructed new paddocks and improved irrigation system.

education

Harvard College

B.S Candidate in Computer Science
August 2012 - Present
Expected Graduation: 2016
Overall GPA: 4.0
Awards: John Harvard Scholar, Detur Book Prize
Courses:
  • Introduction to Computer Science I (COMPSCI 50)
  • Introduction to Computer Science II (COMPSCI 51)
  • Multivariable Calculus (MATH 21a)
  • Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (MATH 21b)
  • Expository Writing 10 (EXPOS 10)
  • Expository Writing 20 (EXPOS 20)
  • Gravity in Extremes:Black Holes of the Universe (FRSEMR 23)
  • Computer Science 121: Introduction to the Theory of Computation (COMPSCI 121)
  • Physical Sciences 10: Quantum and Statistical Foundations of Chemistry (PHYSCI 10)
  • English 182: Science Fiction (ENG 182)
  • Math 121: Linear Algebra with Applications (MATH 121)

Nacogdoches High School

Diploma (Distinguished Program)
August 2007 - June 2012
GPA 106.51 | Valedictorian
→ Graduated June 2012. President of French Club. Model United Nations Security Council head. National Honors Society, Ecology Club. Chess Club co-founder. Member of Science and Physics UIL teams.
Awards:
  • AP Scholar with Distinction
  • 3rd Place in Physics UIL Competition
  • Outstanding Senior Award
  • National Lauréat Certificate
  • Academic Excellence (mult)
  • Top Model Security Council Delegate
  • Placed in IB Biology Examination

organizations

Institute of Politics (2013-)

Immigration Policy Group

Director of Public Outreach (2013-)

Act on A Dream @ Harvard College

Nacogdoches French Club (2008-2012)

Vice-President/ President / Member

toolbox

  • PHP
  • JavaScript/jQuery
  • C
  • HTML/CSS
  • SQL
  • Django
  • Python
  • OCaml
  • Windows
  • UNIX
  • Ubuntu/Linux
  • Photoshop
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • L a T e X

Avez-vous la correspondance!?

Use this nice form to send me a message directly. I'll respond within a day (with the answer to life, the universe, and everything!). Merci beaucoup!

Or, email me directly at luisperez@college.harvard.edu.

Find me Online.

i f g t m x y w 2

Apologies for the lack of design. Time is not readily available. Instead, here, you will find links to some of the work I've done.

mathematics and science

OCaml - Simplex Solver

Harvard University - Introduction to Computer Science II
May 2013
Final Specification

Simplex algorithm in ML with arbitrary precision floats, custom matrix library, and unsolvable/unbounded solution identification. We have decided to reduce the amount of functions available to the outside world. The matrix module will still contain the same functionality as before, but only the functions necessary for the implementation of the Simplex algorithm will b e exposed (row-reduction, for example). The main focus of the project has now shifted to having a working simplex algorithm. Other functions, such as finding the eigenvalues of a matrix, while interesting, have been placed in our “Cool Features” category. Furthermore, following the idea that Simplex is our main focus, additional functionality such as parsing input, providing arbitrary float precision and/or providing a matrix implementation with bignums has been degraded in importance. All of our attention will b e focused on creating a working simplex algorithm

Mathematical Proofs

Harvard University - Linear Algebra with Applications
Fall 2013
Module 1 Proof Module 2 Proof Module 3 Proof
Module 4 Proof Module 5 Proof Module 6 Proof
Module 7 Proof Module 8 Proof Module 9 Proof
Module 10 Proof Module 11 Proof Module 12 Proof
Module 13 Proof Module 14Proof Module 15 Proof

A series of module proofs in topics including real analysis, set theory, topology, and linear algebra.

Quantum Tunneling Paper

Harvard University - Quantum and Statistical Foundations of Chemistry
Fall 2013
Electrons and Quantum Tunneling: Barrier properties and their effects on tunneling probability (with applications to transistor design)

Quantum Tunneling is a quantum mechanical occurrence e that consists of particles passing through a barrier from Side A to Side B; in technical terms, the wave function of the particle originating on Side A, despite decreasing ex potentially while inside the increased potential of the barrier, is non-zero on Side B. This implies a non-zero probability of finding the particle on the “wrong” side of the classically impenetrable barrier . This effect is observable in practical applications, such as in the construction of miniature transistors. In this paper, we explore this quantum mechanical effect in terms of a single particle encountering a square barrier. This type of model approaches remarkably well that of a transistor in current CPU dies, and we propose a correlation between different insulating materials and the results from our model. In particular, we investigate the effects barrier properties, such as thickness and height, potential landscape differences such as changes in potential from Side A to Side B, and particle properties such as mass and kinetic energy have on the tunneling probability, or as known in the literature, the transmittance ratio. The ratio is found to decrease exponentially with increasing height and width of the potential barrier. It is also found to occur at significant amounts only when the wavelength of the approaching particle is ab out the same magnitude as the barrier width.

side projects

Inter-sexual Relationships

Harvard University - Introductory Psychology
Fall 2013
Exploring Sexual Orientation in Same-Sex Friendships

This paper explores the development of same-sex cross-orientation friendships and their effects on society. By same-sex cross-orientation, the paper refers to friendships in which both friends are the same gender (same-sex), but in which their sexual orientation or identifying gender-role differ. Specifically, the paper focuses on friendships between straight men and gay men and straight women and lesbian women. It does not delve deeply into other friendships (such as those between bisexual women and men, but despite these limitations, much of the research found therein should be applicable to most same-sex cross-orientation friendships. In order to accomplish the research, this paper first examines the current literature on the subject of diverse friendships and utilizes that as a launching pad for the exploration of same-sex cross-orientation friendships and their effect on society (and vice versa). The paper then proceeds to draw parallels between inter-racial and same-sex cross-orientation friendships where necessary in order to highlight how unique same-sex cross-orientation friendships, and to reach the conclusions that more active societal intervention is necessary to foster an accepting environment for the LGBTQ community. The onus should not be on them

Reshaping Social Networks

Harvard University - Expository Writing
Spring 2013
Effectively Reshaping Online Social Networking Sites: The Effects of Online Communication on Group Dynamics and Individual Behavior

Social networking sites offer members efficient ways to communicate with an ever-increasing network of individuals. As the size of networks increases, human psychology, which evolved to socialize under drastically different conditions, can sufferer detrimental consequences. Sociological research has revealed differences in the group dynamics of online communities. Furthermore, cognitive psychology has hinted at possible detrimental effects that can arise for individual members due to the nature of SNS and the value placed on self-presentation. In this paper, we propose possible modification to current SNS as well as novel methods to mitigate the negative effects of online communities and nurture the positive aspects. These proposals are geared towards technology entrepreneurs looking to service online communities. In particular, the paper recommends minimized anonymity, implementing tools for group differentiation, and developing an anonymous and visible reporting systems.

EntrEtudes

Harvard University - Business French
Spring 2014
Rapport Annuel - EntrEtudes

Ici, nous proposons une nouvelle idée révolutionnaire et un plan d’expansion pour l’entreprise EntrÉtudes. Nous résumons l’état de la société et présentons notre service unique offert à Paris maintenant, mais avec espoir de l’offrir à d’autres villes.

Market Limits

Harvard University - Expository Writing
Fall 2012
Market Limits Revisited

Classical argument exploring the idea of free-markets.