Desmond Larsen-Rosner

Desmond Larsen-Rosner

Software Development, Spatial Computing and HCI in Calgary and Remote , He/Him

desmondlr@gmail.com
About

Hi, I’m Desmond, a graduate from a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Calgary. I am a curious and creative developer with a passion for building thoughtful, reliable software. I’m especially drawn to systems that bridge the digital and physical worlds, whether that’s through haptic simulation, geospatial tools, or infrastructure automation. I love tackling complex problems, learning new tools, and collaborating with others to turn big ideas into elegant, working systems.

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Work Experience
  • 2020 - 2024
    Field Technician Focused Geo

    Developed software for geospatial visualizations in a web application:

    • Architected and implemented online mapping application for visualizing GIS and environmental data
    • Automated data processing, improving turnaround from data collection to final report
    • Used IAC and CI/CD tools to streamline deployment, resulting in quicker deployments and fewer deployment errors

    Tools used: Python, R, Linux, Bash, httpd (Apache), PHP, SQL, Javascript, CSS, HTML, Gitlab CI/CD pipelines, Vagrant (IaC)

  • 2017 - 2024
    MSc. Researcher Univeristy of Calgary

    Worked as part of a team and independently to ideate, develop, refine, and evaluate haptic feedback for VR interactions:

    -Thesis title: “Vibrotactile Rendering of Sliders in Virtual Reality” -Designed, implemented, and validated haptic feedback algorithm for VR mechanical sliders -Demonstrated efficacy of approach through compelling data visualizations -Collected and acted on user feedback to improve simulated experiences -Mentored students as a Technical Academic Advisor -Improved stakeholder communication by leveraging CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, scrum development framework

    Tools used: C++, R, Python, MatPlotLib, Pandas, CMake, AzureDevOps, VR, Haptics

  • 2018 - 2022
    Teaching Assistant Univeristy of Calgary
    • Instructed a total of 12 tutorial sections of ~40 students each for: Computing Machinery II (x3 semesters), Introduction to Computer Programming (x1), Data Structures and Algorithms (x2), and Computer Graphics (x1)
    • Fielded student questions and trained students in various computing concepts
    • Received computer Science TA Excellence Award, Winter 2021

    Tools used: Java, C/C++, Python, OpenGL, Embedded Programming.

  • 2016 - 2017
    Research Assistant Univeristy of Calgary

    Provided support and software development for research across several research groups through the VT^2 lab:

    • Re-implemented and extended a legacy neonatal cranial ultrasound training simulator in as a teaching tool for Neonatologists
    • Conducted requirements gathering while working as part of a cross-functional team with otolaryngologists and ENT surgeons at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the Foothills Hospital to inform the development of a temporal bone surgical simulator
    • Interfaced with stakeholders to make valuable improvements to the simulator, which was evaluated to improve surgeon confidence in 84% of trials

    Tools used: C++, CMake, Qt, OpenGL, svn.

  • 2014 - 2016
    Technical Assistant Four Elements Environmental Consulting
    • Automated a procedure for visualizing the concentration of materials of interest in river systems for environmental compliance purposes
    • Produced reports on the viability and limitations of technical software for the company’s needs

    Tools used: Excel VBA

  • 2013 - 2014
    Teaching Assistant AKS Geoscience
    • Planned, developed, and deployed software that automated data processing and contour plots of soil conductivity leveraging interoperability with commercial software

    Tools used: Excel VBA, WPF, Visual Studio

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