Hi, my name is Dustin La!
Nice to meet you :)
Hi there! I'm a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Information Technology since May 2024.
Currently, I'm thriving as a Software Engineer at Avanade, where I specialize as a Back-end Developer Analyst. I love crafting efficient solutions and tackling complex challenges to drive impactful results.
My NJIT years were nothing short of transformative. I embraced leadership roles as an Orientation Leader and Event Coordinator, honing my skills in collaboration and organization. I also dove into exciting opportunities through my Avanade internship, hackathons, and other events that fueled my passion for technology and innovation.
I’m particularly proud of my hands-on project experience, which you can explore below. Along the way, I’ve been honored to receive:
These achievements reflect my dedication to combining creativity and technical expertise in everything I do.
Let’s build something amazing together!
Created by Ryan McCusker, Samuel Levshteyn, Dustin La, and Peter Akdemir
-- NJIT YWCC Spring 2024 Capstone 2nd Place Panel Winner --
A Start-up Entrepreneurial Project developed in Android Studio with Kotlin, Django (Python), and hosted on AWS and Heroku. Developed
an online platform with an integrated delivery system where users can browse a wide range of rental tools from local peers anytime,
making the rental process more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective.
Ever need a tool for one use but don't want to pay the large prices? Introducing Rapid Rentals! An item rental platform that allows users to list items for rent
and creates a new platform for delivery drivers to pick up and deliver rentals.
Skills: Android Studio, Kotlin, Firebase, Django, Python
Created by Sriya Chinthalapudi, Keya Dhruve, Dustin La, Archa Mehta, and Shaili Soni
Explored the realm of Lego Set Ratings using a diverse set of machine learning models including Ridge Regression,
Graph Convolutional Network, and Random Forest.
This project explored rating predictions using attributes of lego sets
including number of pieces, target audience, the collection type, and more!
Skills: Machine Learning, Python
Created by Dustin La, Joshua Quizon, and Rahul Shah
An Android Application utilizing Android Studio with Kotlin, Firebase Real Time Database, Firebase Messaging, and the CalorieNinja API to deliver an application that will help
users keep track of their meal prepping habits through nutrition and expenses.
Stay on top of your meals and expenses with the Android app Meal Prep Tracker! Dive into a world of culinary organization
where you can effortlessly log your meal prep creations, while also keeping tabs on your nutrition summary and expenses. It’s the ultimate tool
to elevate your meal planning game!
Skills: Android Studio, Kotlin, Firebase
Created by Dustin La (PM), Disha Rana (Co-PM), Neha Patel, Khushi Patel, Michael Gallo
A large scale project involving system integration and software development to create a Software as a Service (SaaS). This project involved
multiple virtual machines (VMs) each hosting a specific service of Frontend, Backend, Database, and Messaging (RabbitMQ). These VMs worked together
along with obtaining movie data from The Movie Database (TMDB) API to create a movie discovery social platform. In this project, I was a Project Manager and worked specifically on the Backend system.
Ever have a hard time deciding what to watch? No worries when it comes to Movie Stacks!
Discover new movies to watch in this Movie Discovery Social Platform! Sort through movies and list them as interested, not interested, or watched.
Write reviews about movies you have seen, and engage with others in the communities page!
Skills: Django, Python, RabbitMQ, PHP, MySQL, Linux (Ubuntu)
Created by Peter Akdemir, Michael Gallo, Dustin La, and Joshua Quizon
A recreation of the Wikipedia game created to be in "Wordle" Style where each day there is a brand
new pair of daily start and end words. Developed using Svelte for creating the web application, MongoDB for the word storage, Express, and Node.
Deployed using Vercel.
Play each day to navigate from one word to another using only links on Wikipedia pages! Navigate using the least amount of
links clicked as well as fastest time. Once finished, share your score and challenge your friends!
Skills: Svelte, MongoDB (NoSQL), Express, Node
Created by Peter Akdemir, Dustin La, Joshua Quizon, and Rahul Shah
A stem separation and MIDI transcription program built using Python, Google Colab, the stem splitting models of
Deezer's Spleeter and Facebook's Demucs models, the MIDI transcription models of Google Magenta's MT3 and Spotify Basic Pitch models, and Open Note Block Studio
to convert any song into a Minecraft Note Block Cover.
Skills: Python, Machine Learning
Created during the HackNJIT 2023 Hackathon by Dustin La, Gabriel Pascual, Joshua Quizon, and Peter Akdemir
-- HackNJIT 2023 2nd Place Winner --
A web app built using Streamlit to create a challenging and fun interactive
treasure hunt. MongoDB was used for user accounts and image storage. Additionally we used a
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to verify if user submitted images match the displayed images
and GPS coordinates to verify if images submitted were taken in the correct real world location.
Argh matey! Sail forth to find me treasures in real world locations!
Users are tasked with going to locations in images with pirate themed riddles to collect virtual treasures.
Skills: Python, MongoDB (NoSQL)
Created during the GirlHacks 2023 Hackathon by Dustin La, Gabriel Pascual, Joshua Quizon, and Peter Akdemir
-- GirlHacks 2023 Best Use of MongoDB Atlas Winner --
A web application using the Streamlit framework in Python to create a fast-paced competitive game about finding space aliens in user uploaded images.
We used React to incorporate the alien placement feature and MongoDB for user accounts, leaderboard, image creation, and image storage.
Welcome to Find My Alien!!! Find a cheeky little alien in these user-uploaded images and get the best time! May the alien hunt begin!
Skills: Python, React, MongoDB (NoSQL)
A Unity Project using Raycast Hit Detection, Simple AI, First Person Camera, Collisions, and enhanced with sounds, particle effects,
3D models, and made in a custom made world.
Adventure through the valley to water crops, harvest them, and deposit. Explore the vast world while watering sprouts for crops,
collecting coins for upgrades, climbing mountains with platforms, and spraying moles who will chase you down.
Will you become the ultimate farmer?
Skills: Unity, C#
A Unity Project based on the Roll-a-Ball tutorial made into a platformer with new world and code features.
These include player models, collectibles, obstacles, music, teleporters,
sound effects, custom movement, doors, menus, and camera rotation.
Collect 12 stars in each level and get to the purple platform before time runs out!
Skills Learned: Unity, C#
Created during the HackNJIT 2022 Hackathon by Adrianna Rust, Andrew Dickman, Dustin La, and Hrishikesh Sakunala
-- HackNJIT 2022 Best Camping Themed Hack Winner --
Used Python with the Pygame library to create a game where a user toasts their marshmallow to a scrumptious golden brown.
Choose a duration of short, medium, or long to toast your marshmallow over the campfire.
Based on this duration, you will toast your marshmallow and get it closer to Golden Brown!
But be careful, too much toasting will burn your marshmallow.
Continue to toast golden brown marshmallows to increase your streak and go for a high score!
Skills Learned: Python, Pygame
I designed and created a web application that is based on a pre-made HTML game with custom modifications.
This web application uses PHP, CSS, and Bootstrap for visual layouts and page
connections. Additionally, I built an SQL Database for users to register accounts and save their game data.
I used PHP and Javascript for saving scores, creating profiles, competitions, admin functions, and other users functions.
The SQL Database is queried to create dynamic weekly, monthly, and lifetime scoreboards.
Skills: HTML, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, Bootstrap
The New Jersey Institute of Technology Student Activities Council (SAC) is a group of fun-loving and ambitious students who desire to make an impact at NJIT. We do this by planning and hosting engaging experiences throughout the semester, aimed at bringing the campus community together.
I was one of the Event Coordinators for the Student Activities Council. I developed skills in event planning, budgeting,
volunteer mangement, communication, and teamwork to host successful events.
I have contacted agencies for different acts and supplies to help run 500+ person, school-wide events.
These events include Do It Yourself (DIY) Days, Game Shows, Movie Nights, and more!
In addition to planning events, I attended professional conferences including the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) in Hartford where I was able to network with other
student activities councils, meet with vendors, and get ideas on more events to bring to NJIT.
Read More...
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, FIRST, is an organization promoting STEM and robotics to students in elementary, middle, and high school levels. I had the opportunity to be on a FIRST Robotics Competition Team in my high school years. During this competiton, teams are given a game each year and the challenge of creating a robot to compete in competitions all around the world. FIRST greatly encourages teamwork, problem solving, learning, and leadership.
I was on Team 4361: Roxbotix from Roxbury, NJ. I was on the team for all four years
of high school and participated in the electrical and mechanical aspects of the robots. I also volunteered in community events such as demonstrations,
mentoring the middle school team, community clean ups, and more.
I became the Chairman's Award Leader during my senior year where I oversaw the production of a video, essay, and presentation to compete for this award.
This award showcased how my team is creating leaders and transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels in STEM.
Th video produced can be seen below.
FIRST Robotics has helped me gain a higher interest in STEM and has made a big impact in my life over the 4 years I was competing in high school.
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