Hi, my name is
Akshay Chacko.
I craft unique solutions to challenging problems.
I'm a software engineer based in San Jose, CA specializing in building and designing applications, websites, and sounds.
About Me
Hello! I'm Akshay, a software engineer based in San Jose, CA.
I am a recent CSE graduate from the University of Michigan, with immense interest in the areas of Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, and Blockchain. Currently, I am working full-time as a Machine Learning Engineer at Intuitive Surgical.
I have also worked for multiple startups in the Bay Area over the last few years and gained a range of interpersonal and technical skills. My expertise lies in the areas of:
- C/C++
- Python
- Java
- HTML/PHP
- SQL
- Javascript
Where I've Worked
Research Assitant @ UMTRI
June 2020 - Present
- Conducted research on autonomous vehicles for the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute through the College of Engineering.
- Developed Python software to mine data from Twitter accounts and format it for further processing.
- Utilized multiple Natural Language Processing tools to perform sentiment analysis on the data.
- Developed numerous interactive visualizations and analyzed data for trends.
- Designed and hosted a website to compile and present findings to the UMTRI.
Coding Instructor @ The Coding School
Jun - Sept 2020
- Taught 1-on-1 coding lessons in Python to middle school and high school students.
Embedded Software Engineering Intern @ Stealth Mode Startup
Jul 2019 - Sept 2019
- Enabled communication between exercise equipment and mobile devices in order to monitor and adapt to the user’s exercise patterns. Redesigned and ported code to newest version of Nordic Semiconductor Bluetooth LE module (nRF52) in Embedded C.
- Configured and utilized debugging environment for NXP LPC 2138 microcontroller series via JTAG to evaluate and test code on smart elliptical machines.
- Designed, hosted, and launched company website from the ground up using HTML and HostMonster.
Software Engineering Intern @ SpeedInfo
July - Sept 2017
- Developed a program with GUI to automate testing of sensors and to log results. Utilized C++ to send test commands from a management console and process responses from the sensor. Developed diagnostic tests for the sensor processor in Embedded C.
- Improved data storage system by updating server-side PHP code to send a timestamp and sensor embedded C code to append it to all data saved on the network.
- Manually performed field tests of sensors and compiled results. Analyzed the data for quality assurance purposes.
- Researched solutions for emissivity compensation in infrared traffic sensors.
Software Engineer Intern @ Context 360, Inc.
July - Dec 2016
- Developed wireframe mockups to model user interfaces for future products.
- Helped to create a mobile plugin to extend Context 360’s software compatibility to Unity Engine, a widely used development interface.
- Set up a testing platform utilizing the Eclipse IDE to help evaluate competing products.
Warehouse Technician @ Tech to School Inc.
Jun - Aug 2016
- Received and inspected large shipments of iMacs, iPads, Macbooks, etc. in collaboration with the Repair and Auditing departments.
- Refurbished and repackaged products and accessories by the hundreds, and prepared them for shipment to schools nationwide.
- Invoiced and maintained inventory of all products shipped and received.
Some Things I've Built
Featured Project
CountSensor Tester
I developed an automated testing suite to run diagnostics on the product and ensure its function before deployment. The program is written in C++ and interfaces with a microprocessor that runs on code written in C. I designed a front-end GUI to test all the functions of the sensor and save a debug log of the results.
Prior to this, each test was manually done one by one, and my program became incorporated to greatly expedite their testing process. Note that some of the source code is confidential, but the program itself is readily available in the links provided.
- C++
- Embedded C
- VisualDSP++
- TeraTerm
- COM Ports
Featured Project
NLP Lyrics Generator
For a class final project, I worked to write a program that used Natural Language Processing to auto generate country music song lyrics in Python. This program would train itself on a library of country music song lyrics by splitting these lyrics into different phrase models (such as bigrams and trigrams). These phrase models are then combined based on user-defined grammatical rules on how they should go together to form sentences of new lyrics in the structure of a country song (ie. verse, chorus, bridge). Lastly, the program utilized the Tweepy library to tweet the song lyrics via the Twitter API.
- Python
- Natural Language Processing
- Tweepy
Featured Project
Data Visualization
A web app for visualizing the concentrations of certain pollutants in the United States. Written in R, an input CSV file is turned into a visualization via the Plotly library, then hosted on a server using the Shinyapps environment.
This app is beneficial for environmental analysis because we can devise plans for improvement based off the pollutant's trends and causes.
- R
- Plotly
- Shinyapps
Other Noteworthy Projects
view the archiveCorporate Website Design
During my time working for a Stealth Mode Startup, I singlehandedly designed and hosted the website for the company. I utilized SquareSpace to come up with a website design, and then modified the HTML/CSS code to fine-tune it. Afterwards, I used the online platform HostMonster, to host it on a custom domain.
What's Next?
Get In Touch
I am not actively looking for any full-time opportunities, but don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to chat!