Karen Kong

Software Engineer | Researcher | Highlander

Welcome! My name is Karen Kong and I'm an undergraduate Computer Science student at the University of California, Riverside.

My high school's AP Computer Science class ignited my passion for solving challenges and expressing creativity through programming. From then on, my aspirations included earning a degree in computer science and working in the industry.

To me, there's no greater satisfaction than designing, developing, and debugging a piece of code that is then placed into action in a larger project. In my spare time, you'll find me crafting planar graph algorithms and implementing system updates in the research lab and exploring Android application development.

Technical Skills

Languages

Language	Skill Level
C++	Proficient
Java	Proficient
Python	Familiar
C#	Familiar
HTML/CSS	Familiar
JavaScript	Familiar

Software

Git & Github
VIM
Visual Studio
Android Studio

Unity Game Engine
Windows, Linux, Android

Experience

Facebook University for Engineering Intern - Facebook (Summer 2017)

Android Application Development

Developed Android app on a team for Facebook friends with opposing views to chat anonymously.
Created push notifications and notification service to listen for new messages in the Firebase database.
Configured REST Client to pull article names from the NY Times API into chat topic suggestions.
Added multimedia and camera support to messages in front end and back end.

Intern - zyBooks (December 2016 - June 2017)

Computer Science course material reviewer and editor for online educational content provider

Review Computer Science course materials before online publication.
Alternative text translations in XML of interactive learning activities for the blind.
Provide technical support services for instructors and students.

Research Assistant - Embedded Systems Lab (January 2016 - Present)

Graph Placement Algorithms for the Microfluidic Continuous Flow Framework, supervised by Dr. Philip Brisk and Brian Crites:

Series of 4 iterative expansion algorithms that expand initial point placement from the Chrobak-Payne Straight Line Routing Alforithm to account for areas of components at the points.
Increased area utilization by up to 23%
Diagonal cut post-processor that replaces corners on routes with diagonal segments.

Grader - Computer Science and Engineering Department (September 2017 - December 2017)

Graded for Data Structures and Algorithms course taught by Dr. Stefano Lonardi.
Evaluated assignments and provided feedback to students.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) - National Science Foundation (June 2016 - September 2016)

Algorithms for the Design Automation of Microfluidic Laboratories-on-a-Chip (LoCs), supervised by Dr. Philip Brisk and Brian Crites:

Directed placer graph placement algorithm that increased average area utilization by 24% and decreased average route length by 94%.
Seam carving post-processing algorithm that increased average area utilization by 33% and decrease average route length by 15%.

Routing algorithm optimizations, including pre-routing port assignment, route turn reduction, and enforced buffer to prevent route segments from touching other route segments and components.
Revision and design of test cases for benchmarks.
Assisted in writing and revising a paper on research performed submitted to the Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference.

Game Developer - Brain Game Center (September 2016 - October 2016)

Implement features for brain memory and cognition training games in C# using Unity Game Engine with Visual Studio

Created task set selection menu and end of level statistics display for auditory training game.

Projects

WITS Screenshot — **Walk in Their Shoes**
Java | Android Studio
Grand Prize Winner at the 2016 San Diego Women's Hackathon
A response to the worldwide refugee crisis.

Circles Screenshot — **Grid Routing Framework**
C++ | Linux
Implemented Lee's Routing Algorithm, a breadth first search, on a 2D grid with turn reduction and multiple route optimizations.

Aurora Screenshot — **Aurora**
Java | Android
Virtual Reality based real estate listing and viewing platform.

Rshell Terminal Shell — **Rshell**
C++ | VIM
A Linux terminal shell that uses system calls to execute commands.

Aquatic Codeliners Screenshot — **Aquatic Codeliners Game**
Visual Basic | Visual Studio
Promotes water conservation efforts in the state of California through an interactive game and water usage calculator.

Modern Art Screenshot — **Modern Art**
Java | Android Studio
Inspired by the works of modern artists. Users adjust the color of the blocks and launch the MOMA website from the information menu.

Personal Website Screenshot — **Personal Website**
HTML/CSS
Learned HTML and CSS to create this website.

Mazes Inc Screenshot — **Mazes Inc. Game**
Visual Basic | Visual Studio

A maze game in which the user drives a mine cart and fires explosives to removes obstacles.

Education

University of California, Riverside (September 2015 - present)

Computer Science B.S. (Graduating June 2019)

Cumulative GPA: 3.99 | CS Major GPA: 4.00

Research Design Project in Computer Science (CS193)
Software Engineering (CS180)
Artificial Intelligence (CS170)
Mobile Wireless Networks (CS169)
Databases (CS166)
Operating Systems (CS153)
Automata and Formal Languages (CS150)
Data Structures and Algorithms(CS141)
Advanced Discrete Structures (CS111)
Software Construction (CS100)
Machine Assembly Language and Computer Organization (CS 61)
C++ Object Oriented Programming (CS12)
Discrete Structures (CS11)

Leadership Positions

University of California, Riverside Delegate - University of California Student Congress (2016)
Organizer - Bourns College of Engineering Day (2016)
President - Computer Club (2014-2015)
Organizer - Women in Computer Science Workshops (2014-2015)

Extracurricular Activities

Member - Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Member - Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Scholarships and Honors

Regents Scholarship - University of California, Riverside (2015-2019)
Computer and Video Game Scholarship - Entertainment Software Association (2016)
Brithinee Alumni Association Scholarship - University of California, Riverside (2016)
Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Scholarship - Society of Women Engineers (2015)
Award for Aspirations in Computing - Southern California NCWIT (National Center for Women and Informational Technology) (2015)