Sacha Chua - tech evangelist, connector, geek
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Yokohama Kenshu Center
Room 2412
5-1, Fukuura 1-chome
Kanazawa-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004
Japan

Objectives

Teach computer science while pursuing research in personal information management and wearable computing.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Ateneo de Manila University (1999-2003)
Extra classes: Introduction to Management Information Systems, Problem Solving and Methods of Proof, Mathematical Analysis III, Linear Algebra
Distinctions: Dean's List (Second Honors), Academic Scholar

Experience

• IT Trainee, Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship
  Host company: MSI
  2004/08 - present
  For Japanese language training and industry experience
• Assistant Instructor, Ateneo de Manila University
  2003/06 - 2004/07
  Courses taught:
  • CS21A: Introduction to Computing: Basic programming concepts, object-oriented programming and graphical applications in Java
  • CS21B: Introduction to Computing I: Object-oriented design, multithreading, networking, fundamental data structures
  • CS123: Introduction to Software Engineering: Software development life cycle, design patterns, C++
  • CS161: Operating Systems: Components of an operating system including file, disk, and memory management
  • CS110: Data Structures and Algorithms: Classic data structures and algorithms to manipulate them
  • CS139.3: Special Topics: Problem Solving in Computer Science: Rapid development of algorithms and solutions in a competitive environment

• Intern, Advanced Science and Technology Institute
  Embedded Systems Division
  2002/04 - 2002/05
  Experimented with eCos and embedded Linux on the StrongARM platform as part of the government's summer research internship program
  
• Teaching Assistant, Ateneo de Manila University
  2002/06 - 2003/03

Development

• Maintained the Emacs planner.el, emacs-wiki.el and remember.el personal information management modules modules (2002-)
• Contributed to the Emacs Relay Chat open source project (2002)
• Developed part of the Compaq iPAQ bootloader (StrongARM-based SA-1100) in C and ARM assembly (2002)
• Deployed and maintained project submission system requested by CS department. (Nov 2001-2004)
• Developed web-based alternative class program registration system using free, open-source software. System used by 6000 students over 1 week. (2001)
• Developed database and servlet code for course web page management system primarily used by non-technical users (Ateneo philosophy teachers). (2000-2002)
• Developed intranet alternative class program registration using replicated databases and Java. Zero downtime, high student satisfaction. (1999)

Affiliations

• Tokyo Linux Users Group (Member: 2004-)
• Philippine Linux Users' Group (Member: 1999, Vice president: 2002-2004)
• Ateneo Cervini-Eliazo Network Team (Developer: 2000-01, Chair: 2002-2003)
• Computer Society of Ateneo (Developer: 2000-02, Head of research and academics: 2001-2002, Moderator: 2003-2004)
• Embedded Systems Division, Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Student assistant: 2002)
• Ateneo Web Team (Developer: 2000)
• Association of Computing Machinery (Student member: 2000-2004)

Competencies

Strong, wide computing background

• Enthusiastically learns new languages and tools. Looks for ways to work more effectively.

Core skills:

• Programming: Emacs LISP, Java, SQL, Perl, PHP, C++, C, Python, ARM Assembly
• Markup: LaTeX, XML, HTML
• Platforms: Linux, Java, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 9/X, eCos
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL
• Some exposure to: Oracle, PostScript.

Communication skills

Can fluently speak and write English. (297 on computer-based TOEFL).

Performance even under pressure

Consistently excels in technology-related areas even under pressure. Works well in a team.

• IT Trainee, Association of Overseas Technical Scholarships (Japan), 2004
• BPI Science Awardee 2003
• Top scorer on the Japan IT Standards Examination, Philippines, 2002
• 7th place (Best performing team from the Philippines), ACM Regionals, Philippines, 2002
• 1st place (Best Academic Solution) and USD 125,000 worth of equipment/scholarships for school in Microsoft Worldwide .NET Best, 2002
• "Most Creative" award in Microsoft Asia Student .NET, Asia, 2002
• 1st place in Microsoft Asia Student .NET, Philippines, 2002
• Placed in top 10 of the pilot run of the Japan IT Standards Examination, Philippines, 2001
• 1st place and PHP 1,000,000 (USD 20,000) in the Trend Internet Software Contest 2001
• 1st place and USD 8,000 worth of equipment for school in the HP TechQuiz 2000
• 1st place in the Battle of the Brains (computer trivia quizbee), De La Salle University, 2001
• 2nd place in the Interschool C Programming Contest, De La Salle University, 2001
• 12th place in the ACM Intercollegiate Programming Contest Regionals, Singapore, 2000
• 1st place in the Battle of the Brains (computer trivia quizbee), De La Salle University, 2000
• 2nd place in the Interschool C Programming Contest, De La Salle University, 2000
• 3rd place in the International Software Competition, South East Asian Regional Computer Conference, 1999
• 1st place in the Battle of the Champions (computer programming), Philippine Computer Society, 1999
• 2nd place in the International Software Competition, South East Asian Regional Computer Conference, 1998
• 3rd place in the Battle of the Champions (computer programming), Philippine Computer Society, 1998
• 1st place in the Programming Competition, Philippine Computer Society, 1998

CS Interests

• Personal information management: tailor software to individual users and see what effect customizations have on people's planning methods
• Training and education: teach computer science and train people in open source technologies
• Linux and open source: contribute to open source software and advocate open source as a better, cheaper alternative

Talks Delivered

• Speaker, "Taming the TODO", Tokyo Linux Users Group Technical Meeting, Nov 13 2004
• Speaker, "Knoppix: A Gentle Introduction to Linux", Philippine Open Source Conference, Aug 17 2004
• Speaker, "Linux!", Quezon City I.T. Conference, Aug 1 2004
• Speaker, "Objects First Java with BlueJ", PinoyJUG meeting, May 5 2004
• Speaker, "Wearable Computing", Youth Conference on I.T., Jan 28 2004
• Speaker, "Computer Science", Ateneo de Manila University, Jan 21 2004
• Trainer, "Perl Scripting Fundamentals", Fujitsu Philippines, Dec 17-19 2003
• Speaker, "Linux in the Academe", Bluepoint Road Tour, Dec 5 2003
• Speaker, "Introduction to Linux", Pragmatix (Ateneo de Manila University), Dec 4 2003
• Speaker, "Alternative Teaching Methods for Introductory Computer Science Education", National Conference on IT Education, 2003
• Speaker, "Wearable Computing", SynchronicITy in Manila, 2003
• Speaker, "Wearable Computing", Philippine IT Student Congress, 2003 (in front of over 1000 students)
• Speaker, "Wearable Computing", PSITE Monthly Seminar Workshop, 2003
• Panelist, "Embedded Systems Development", ASTI, Jan 30 2003
• Speaker, "Who Says Girls Can't Do Tech?", Linux Day, St. Paul's College 2001
• Speaker, "Java and Linux", Linux10 Philippines, 2001
• Speaker, "Linux in My Pocket" (Linux on handheld devices), Linux10 Philippines, 2001

Papers

• Luis F. G. Sarmenta, et al. "Bayanihan Computing .NET: Grid Computing with XML Web Services," in the Workshop on Global and Peer-to-Peer Computing at the 2nd IEEE International Symposium on Cluster Computing and the Grid (CCGrid '02), Berlin, Germany, May 2002

Others

References and more information upon request.

Sandra Jean V. Chua
sacha@sachachua.com

I'd love to hear about any questions, comments, suggestions or links that you might have. Your comments will not be posted on this website immediately, but will be e-mailed to me first. You can use this form to get in touch with me, or e-mail me at sacha@sachachua.com .