Research
With a background in machine learning and differential equation modeling, my research interests include dynamical systems and theoretical computer science. Recently, I became a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar for my work using physics-informed neural networks to inform infectious disease policy. I would say something profound, but I'll leave you with this instead:
"All models are wrong but some are useful" — George E. P. Box
Conferences
2022 Shenandoah Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Conference (James Madison University)
2022 International BEERs Symposium (Illinois State University)
2022 WCDANM-VIII Conference (Portugal)
Competitions
1st Place in Math at Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair
Winner (Outstanding Award) of the SIMIODE SCUDEM 2022 Challenge
Honorable Mention at the #ElevatingMath Challenge by the National Academies
Domain Adaptation Research
Mr. Noah Lanier in Carlson Lab at Duke
Acoustic Image-to-Image Translation
Dr. Leslie Smith at the Naval Research Laboratory
Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer at George Mason University
Developer
I wrote my first line of code on Khan Academy when I was 7. Today, I am a AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate and have also received a Certificate of Quantum Excellence from the IBM Qiskit Global Summer School in 2021 and 2022. I enjoy using the power of software to solve community problems, explore computer science rabbit holes, and unleash my curiosity in personal projects.
🌴 Wanna see some cool projects? Check out my archive to learn more ->
💡 Have an idea that you want me to help build? Well, I also do freelance! ->
Work Experience
Pearl Technologies
HKP Solutions
Fiverr
Junior Full Stack Developer @ Pearl
March 2021 - October 2021
Pearl is the content-creator's front page for freemium fan communities, with funding from 10 billionares including the founders of Doordash, Coinbase, and Y Combinator.
Developed a Serverless powered GraphQL API consumed by a server-side rendered Next.js application.
Integrated Stripe payments infrastructure into Nest.js server application.
Built a scalable end-user notifications microservice that is now in production. Used AWS Pinpoint and Prisma with PostgresDB.
Game Development
Social Impact
Competitive Problem Solving
Running
Hobbyist | Game Development
Growing up on the Nintendo 3DS, games captivated my attention as a budding computer scientist. I see game development as the prime example of interdisciplinary work. In the process of making games I love, I get to explore super cool algorithms like Delanuay triangulation and learn a wide variety of creative software at the same time!
Games
Flighty: a multiplayer 1v1 dog-fighting game with intuitive mouse controls and fast-paced action. (in-development)
Bussin': a fast paced racing game where you play as a bus driver trying to drop off as many kids to school as possible!
Vineyard: build an army of purple grapes to defend your vineyard from the enemy!
Blocked: a relaxing sliding block puzzle with a fun twist on colors!
Recognition
1st in Daniel Kraft's "Autumn Lake" Blender Render Challenge.
1st "Most Fun" in GDHQ 2022 Game Jam
Young Game Developers Association (YGDA)
An uplifting community of young developers interested in game development: the intersection of art, math, computer science, and game design.
Here's a recent post from the Society for Science about YGDA!
Currently, our team of ~10 is working on “Farmicide” a multiplayer survival game in which two farmers compete for eternal crop domination.
Hobbyist | Competitive Problem Solving
"Can a square be split into an odd number of triangles with equal area?" — Fred Richman
As co-captain of Varsity Math Team, my mission is not to lead one of the most successful US math teams but to help more people grasp the beauty of such questions. When I compete at a national contest, I'm a collector, obsessing over intriguing ideas, like a child scouring for seashells on a beach. I'm an artist, channeling my creativity into problems that feed eager, young mathletes on in-person olympiads. Whether it's proof-based mathematics, theoretical computer science algorithms, or physics thought experiments, I've fallen in love with problem solving.
Honors
3-time American Invitational Mathematics Examination Qualifier + Gold at the USA Computing Olympiad
Codeforces Specialist (Wanna-Be Master 😭) + TJIOI webmaster + Senior Computer Team member.
A Team Lecturer and Co-Captain of TJ Physics Team. Check out some of my notes/lectures, from thermodynamics to Feynman's integration technique!
Competitions
4th (HS) at MIT BattleCode 2023
2nd at CMU's CMIMC (TCS) + 2nd at UPenn's PClassic + 1st at UVA's HSPC + 1st at VCU's HSPC.
6th at Duke Math Meet + 2nd at Purple Comet Math Contest (VA)
Hobbyist | Distance Running
I started distance running to condition myself for the spring soccer season, but running has become as much of a social activity as an athletic one. While the post-workout runner's high of endorphins coursing through my veins is liberating, friendly games of tag or ice hockey on the frozen lake in the winter are just as exciting. The calming breeze on a long run clears both the sweat on my chest and the stress in my mind, but I most enjoy spending time with others during physical exertion.
Cross Country
Track & Field
Indoor track districts competitor in the 1000m with a PR of 3:01.75! Coach also makes me run the 3200m which is really exhausting. 🏃♂️💨
During outdoor track, I broke 5:10 in the 1600m, and in freshman year, I made regionals in the 55m!
Q&A w/ Caleb
You should say hi!
1. Can I have your resume? Sure. Email me.
2. How did you make this website? Next·Tailwind·Vercel
3. Have any life advice? God+Goals+Grit works for me.
© Alvan Caleb Arulandu 2023
Hobbyist | Social Impact
I started my acting career at the age of seven as a minor actor for Sight & Sound Theaters, learning to act, dance, sing, and handle animals. Across 8 productions, 1 TV Spot (Voiceover), and 1 on-screen Fathom Event, the Sight & Sound cast and crew became more than professional peers but a second family. Moving from the theater was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but now, I use my ability as a communicator to solve community problems and inspire the next generation of change-makers!
Acting Portfolio
Frederick (LEAD) in Pirates of Penzance
May 2019 - May 2019 | Rachel Carson MS
Frederick (LEAD) in Jesus
Jan 2018 - Jun 2018 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Toodles in Peter Pan
Dec 2017 - Dec 2017 | Martin Meylin MS
Nathan in Miracle of Christmas
Nov 2017 - Dec 2017 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Soldier's Son (Speaking) in Jonah
Jan 2017 - Oct 2017 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol
Dec 2016 - Dec 2016 | Martin Meylin MS
Young Samson in Samson
Feb 2016 - Dec 2016 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Manasseh in Joseph
Apr 2015 - Dec 2015 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Young Moses, Young Pharaoh in Moses
Feb 2014 - Apr 2015 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Ensemble in Seussical the Musical
Mar 2014 - Mar 2015 | Lampeter-Strasburg HS
Nathan in Miracle of Christmas
Nov 2013 - Dec 2013 | Sight & Sound Theatres
Outreach
Tenor singer, pianist, audio/visual team, and volunteer at WOLI Church. Contribute to community food drives.
I started my YouTube channel to give back to the developer community. Reading encouraging comments and providing developer advice is my favorite bus-ride pastime!
I offer free math tutoring for students across the globe through Sal Khan's SchoolHouse platform. Need help? Please reach out!