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whoami

john_akujobi

Patient with hardware, dogged about bugs.

builds embedded applications for smart helmets

AI, Software and Embedded Applications Engineer working where software meets hardware: satellite metadata pipelines, developer tooling, wearable tech, multimodal sensing, and ML on edge computing devices. Most of it is open source.

John Akujobi
location
South Dakota, USA
status
M.S. CS @ SDSU, Aug 2026
recent
SWE Intern @ KBR / USGS
focus
AI, embedded, tooling

ls ./education

Education

2

Degrees, assistantships, and academic milestones.

Aug 2026 - Exp. May 2029 M.S. in Computer Science South Dakota State University (SDSU) Academics
  • Graduate Administrative Assistantship - Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED)
Jan 2022 - May 2026 B.Sc in Computer Science South Dakota State University (SDSU) Academics
  • Minor: Software Engineering
  • 5x Dean's List
  • GPA 3.49/4.0

ls ./projects

Projects

17 of 34

Click any row for the overview, the tags, and the links. Nothing opens a new page unless you want it to.

Jan 2025 - now AMBER Affordable Multimodal Sensor-Based Environmental Risk Detector AI/ML
  • Engineered a wearable industrial helmet, with 6 multimodal sensors & edge computing to detect environmental hazards
  • Developed a custom data pipeline and TLV-based sensor communication protocol in python, optimizing sensor fusion
  • Soldered and wired electronic components, ensuring durable sensor connectivity and efficient signal processing
May 2024 - now obscuRRRa Offline desktop app for privacy-focused batch face blurring AI/ML
  • Built Python face blurring app using MTCNN model achieving 96.4% accuracy on 10,000-image dataset
  • Enabled batch processing for large-scale face detection and anonymization in local environment
  • Developed an offline-capable (GUI) graphic user interface with Tkinter to ensure privacy and usability and released on GitHub
Sep 2025 - May 2026 IMPACT Cap STM32 smart-helmet firmware and data pipeline for environmental and biometric monitoring around self-injurious behavior Hardware
  • Led embedded application architecture for a 7-task STM32U575 FreeRTOS runtime capturing PDM audio through MDF/GPDMA and generating 5-second telemetry summaries
  • Designed portable C impact_core modules for state management, impact detection, time synchronization, Pipeline A/B serialization and retry policy; validated 70 core and 9 DSP tests
  • Implemented runtime JWT acquisition and refresh with authenticated ST67 Wi-Fi uploads through a Cloudflare-to-Cloud Run relay; validated 31 consecutive HTTP 201 responses
  • Built ThreadX/FileX SD prototype with single-writer queue ownership and drain, flush, close and unmount lifecycle; verified 24 Pipeline A and 24 Pipeline B JSONL records
Feb 2026 - Feb 2026 AntiEmoji CLI tool to remove emoji from code repositories Software
  • Built Node.js/TypeScript CLI to remove emoji from code repositories; 3 commands (scan/apply/lint) integrate with CI pipelines.
  • Parsed official Unicode v17.0 dataset with grapheme-aware processing to detect all emoji types including complex sequences.
  • Engineered 23 TypeScript modules with safe I/O: atomic writes, optional backups, binary detection, and UTF-8 validation.
  • Validated with 97 automated tests across 12 test files; GitHub Actions CI ensures Windows and Ubuntu compatibility.
May 2025 - Aug 2025 Trekeye Rear Hazard Detection Prototype AI/ML
  • Engineered helmet-mounted hazard detection system with YOLOv8, BoT-SORT/ByteTrack and TTC-based alerts
  • Established cross-platform baselines: 18 FPS desktop, 1.8 FPS Raspberry Pi under 2GB RAM; documented negative results
  • Delivered reproducible Python framework with YAML configs, CSV/MP4 logging and optical flow for unclassified hazards
Jan 2025 - May 2025 JakAdac Python-based compiler for an Ada language subset Software
  • Built modular compiler with 8+ components: lexer, recursive-descent parser, semantic analyzer, and TAC generator
  • Designed symbol table supporting nested scopes, 3 parameter modes (IN/OUT/INOUT), and cross-scope resolution
  • Validated compiler with 20+ test files covering tokenization, parse trees, semantic analysis, and TAC generation
Nov 2024 - Dec 2024 Grants Data Analyzer Streamlit-based data analytics platform for institutional grant analysis Data
  • Developed Streamlit web app with 6 modular components and 62 functions for institutional grant data analysis and insights
  • Engineered 7-stage data pipeline processing Excel files (25+ columns) with validation, normalization, and Co-PI deduplication
  • Built NetworkX analysis computing 5 centrality metrics with 20 charts (matplotlib/seaborn) and interactive Pyvis graphs
Jun 2024 - now VibraView Haptic obstacle detection wearable for the visually impaired Hardware
  • Developed a real-time assistive obstacle detection system with haptic feedback for visually impaired users
  • Engineered a functional proximity-based prototype with 6 components for less than $15 using Raspberry Pi Pico
Jan 2024 - now Kags Coffee & Bagels Cross-platform Flutter mobile app for coffee shop ordering with built-in social features Web
  • Built mobile ordering app with 15+ screens using Flutter and Dart
  • Implemented authentication, cart management, order placement, and SQLite database with offline-first CRUD
  • Developed shopping cart with SharedPreferences storage, size selection (S/M/L, 1.0-1.4x pricing), and taxes
  • Designed 5-service architecture (auth, coffee, cart, order, blog) using dependency injection and Provider
  • Built user authentication with session persistence, wallet tracking, and auto-syncing favorites system
Oct 2022 - now jakujobi.com – Portfolio Site Responsive portfolio site with custom design system and security optimizations Web
  • Built design system with 24+ components and developed a fully responsive professional portfolio with WordPress
  • Configured firewalls, SSL certificates, and content delivery networks (CDNs), boosting security & performance
May 2026 - Jun 2026 DupliView Safe, read-only duplicate file report tool for office and institutional users Software
  • Built read-only Python tool that scans directories and generates duplicate file reports without deleting or modifying any files, safe by design for institutional environments
  • Delivered CI-configured release with structured src/, tests/, docs/, Reports/ layout and GitHub Actions workflow for automated validation
  • Shipped after testing on real office files addressing a practical administrative workflow pain point
May 2026 - May 2026 IMPACT Band BLE impact-detection wearable built on the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense Hardware
  • Sampled the onboard LSM6DS3TR-C 6-axis IMU at 104 Hz and aggregated acceleration and detected impacts into 5-second window summaries
  • Implemented Nordic UART Service transport for newline-framed JSON plus a Python/Bleak receiver for packet reassembly and JSONL logging
  • Built 17 native firmware tests covering packet construction, window aggregation, impact detection and long-packet BLE transport behavior
  • Validated physical taps up to 8.989g dynamic acceleration and recovered an intermittently failing battery-prepared board using a replacement control board
Feb 2026 - Feb 2026 SonicDivide Privacy-conscious ESP32-S3 environmental sound monitor producing frequency-band metrics without storing raw audio Hardware
  • Built embedded sound monitor sampling a PDM microphone at 16 kHz and writing 500 ms numeric acoustic summaries and diagnostics to microSD
  • Implemented 1,024-point FFT processing with Hann window and 50% overlap across 60-250 Hz, 250-2,000 Hz and 2,000-8,000 Hz bands
  • Designed 3-task FreeRTOS capture, DSP and logging pipeline using a 4,096-sample ring buffer and 50-row queue to isolate acquisition from SD latency
  • Analyzed 6 archived hardware sessions totaling 1,940 rows and approximately 16.5 minutes with monotonic 512 ms timing and zero reported audio drops or SD errors
Nov 2025 - Dec 2025 SoloBank Event Sourcing and CQRS banking demo app with Streamlit UI, and Typer CLI Architecture
  • Built Event Sourcing/CQRS system with SQLite WAL event store, separated read/write models, and functional domain
  • Achieved 98% test coverage with 152 tests across 7 modules: domain, events, service, projector, CLI
  • Developed Typer CLI and Streamlit web UI with async projector (0-2000ms lag) processing 4 event types
Sep 2024 - Jun 2025 CommentCraft AI-driven tool for automating consistent code documentation Software
  • Built a tool to automate code comments based on professor guidelines improving documentation consistency for students
  • Implemented AI-driven features to generate comment blocks based on class and function structures
Jan 2025 - May 2025 Scientific Computing Methods Portfolio Numerical methods coursework covering roots, interpolation, IEEE-754 tools and error analysis. Software
  • Completed 8 computational math assignments: Taylor series, root-finding theory, polynomial interpolation, error analysis
  • Implemented IEEE-754 converter in Python for 32/64-bit representations handling normalized, subnormal, infinities, NaN
  • Built relative error bound calculator demonstrating machine epsilon and numerical precision in scientific computing
Apr 2025 - Apr 2025 Kabzy Flutter/Firebase ride-request MVP app with booking flow, fare estimate. Software
  • Built Flutter/Dart MVP with Firebase Authentication (email + Google OAuth), Firestore database, and Google Maps API
  • Implemented ride lifecycle with Provider state management, real-time tracking, fare estimation, and feedback system
  • Designed clean architecture with service/model separation (AuthService, RideService, LocationService) for cross-platform
View all projects

ls ./work

Nov 2022 - now Associate II - Administrative Assistant (Web Design & Data) Division of Research and Economic Development, SDSU Web
  • Improved UX for 52,000+ visitors by redesigning 63 web sections using Drupal CMS and maintaining Research website
  • Wrote Python scripts, markdown templates to create and present 17 reports from institutional surveys of a research conference
  • Analyzed 55,000+ data points and developed Python visualizations improving forecast accuracy for research submissions
  • Streamlined routing of 200+ administrative forms reducing processing time 60%; compiled 300+ image archive in Drupal
May 2025 - Jul 2026 Software Engineering Intern KBR (EROS Data Center, USGS) Software
  • Built CharSTAC in Python: scalable STAC metadata system processing 32,000+ satellite assets in ~12 min with user-friendly UI
  • Delivered 178 automated tests achieving 74% overall and 97% core coverage; authored developer docs for maintainability
  • Presented outcomes to 80 employees and led internal Git/GitLab training on version control best practices
  • Collaborated via Agile scrums and weekly standups using GitLab for project tracking and code reviews
Jan 2025 - May 2026 Undergraduate Researcher McComish Dept of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, SDSU AI/ML
  • Awarded $5,000 Future Innovators grant to develop AMBER: Python-based real-time hazard detection system with edge computing
  • Researching sensor fusion and ML-based risk assessment models using Python, OpenCV for hardware prototyping and testing
  • Investigating low-latency risk detection integrating Raspberry Pi 5 edge devices with multimodal sensor fusion
Jun 2023 - May 2025 Marketing Student Jackrabbit Central, SDSU Branding
  • Designed and deployed Jayce Jackrabbit AI chatbot trained on employee manual to streamline new worker onboarding
  • Created 30+ AI-powered marketing materials and designed 9 in-store signs using Illustrator improving customer engagement
  • Boosted operational efficiency by digitizing 3 key forms and streamlining 2,500+ image library workflow
  • Led secure data migration project transferring 2,500+ marketing assets to cloud storage system
  • Delivered personalized service to 30+ daily customers improving experiences and driving repeat sales
Aug 2023 - Dec 2024 Lab Assistant (Intro to CS Lab) Department of Electrical Engr & Computer Science, SDSU Software
  • Guided 60 students in C# game development using Unity and VS Code building programming and debugging skills
  • Led weekly office hours with lab assistants to improve student comprehension of C# and Unity concepts
Nov 2022 - Jun 2023 Engineering Research & Development Intern Innovate SoDak, SDSU Promo
  • Analyzed, edited and repaired high-definition 3D medical device scans using Blender, Meshmixer and MeshLab
  • Evaluated compression algorithm reducing 3D model size 87% while retaining key features for CFD fluid simulations
  • Remodeled grant website sections and produced promotional video using Premiere for regional conference presentation
May 2022 - Jan 2023 Research Assistant Department of Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU Data
  • Supported 15 Ph.D. studies at 5 research sites gathering and reporting data from 9,600+ sampled cases
  • Examined 350+ sample sets using 2 infrared grain analyzers; processed 2,800+ specimens on 8 specialized machines
May 2020 - Nov 2021 UI/UX Designer & WordPress Web Developer SlidePot Web
  • Designed web interface and branding using Figma creating 78+ reusable components reducing development costs by 60%
  • Developed and maintained responsive WordPress website with HTML/CSS custom themes and mobile-first design
  • Enhanced website security blocking 750+ cyber-attack events through firewall and plugin hardening
  • Increased returning users 2,300+ through data-driven UX improvements based on user feedback surveys
Sep 2018 - Jul 2019 Business Owner Jade Clean Products Product
  • Built and managed production of 12 liquid cleaning products leveraging customer feedback to improve retention rates
  • Provided customer support to 400+ clients and sold 6,700+ units in 10 months generating steady revenue
View all experience

ls ./involvement

Jan 2024 - now Workshop Facilitator & Student Band Organizer Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services, SDSU STEM Ed
  • Led AI Tools & Resources workshop introducing students to AI platforms for administrative functioning support, academic work, and personal research, covering practical use cases across multiple tools
  • Facilitated Digital Tools for College Success workshop sharing personally vetted productivity, accessibility, and organization tools that improved daily college life
  • Organized and led rehearsals for a 4-person student band that performed at a campus event; managed all technical and electronic music setup including sound configuration and equipment
Jan 2023 - Dec 2025 President (2025), Vice President (2024), CSC Tutor(2023-2024), Hackathon Marketing Manager(2023), Secretary (2023) Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), SDSU Leadership
  • Co-founded and led HackSoDak 2024, SDSU's first hackathon, handling event planning and logistics for 100+ participants
  • Designed complete brand identity for HackSoDak including logo, awards and website using Figma and WordPress
  • Taught 25+ students through technical workshops on Git, GitHub, Web Development, VS Code and AI Copilots
Jun 2026 - Jun 2026 Brookings Juneteenth 2026: Bingo Generator & Live Performance Brookings Human Rights Commision: 2026 Juneteenth Planning Committee Software
  • Built Python script to curate Juneteenth historical facts and generate 150 randomized, print-ready bingo cards for community education at the Brookings Juneteenth 2026 celebration
  • Handled full pipeline: historical fact sourcing, content curation, randomized card generation, and print-formatted PDF output
  • Performed live on banjo, piano, and voice at the Brookings Juneteenth 2026 community celebration
Oct 2022 - Nov 2025 Judge, Referee & Event Volunteer BEST Robotics, South Dakota State University (SDSU) STEM Ed
  • Evaluated 4 teams' business pitches using rubrics assessing design, innovation, and feasibility
  • Conducted booth interviews and scored presentations in Shark Tank-style competition format
  • Refereed 5+ matches per event enforcing safety rules and recording scores for 8-10 competing teams
  • Assembled 24'x24' competition fields and fabricated new game elements for robot challenges
  • Distributed tools, safety equipment, and assigned workspaces to teams across 4 events (2022-2025)
Jan 2023 - Apr 2023 Sign-up Volunteer Jacks Cupboard, SDSU Leadership
  • Greeted and assisted students with checkout process, providing strong customer service and communication
  • Processed donations from community members, ensuring proper recording and organization
  • Organized food pantry items and shelves after each session, maintaining well-stocked inventory
Jan 2016 - Nov 2021 Volunteer and STEM Exam Tutor Youth Organization (CYON), St Martin de Porres Church STEM Ed
  • Taught math, physics, and chemistry to 15 students preparing for post-high school GCE exams (2018-2020)
  • Created practical study guides and practice questions to supplement exam preparation curriculum
  • Trained 28 youths on graphic design fundamentals during 2020 CYON vocational training program
Oct 2014 - Nov 2021 Audio Technician and Inventory Manager Tech Crew, St Martin De Porres Church Leadership
  • Worked in, and later lead a team to build and maintain our sound system consisting of over 54 components and devices
  • Managed 80+ piece equipment inventory for 6+ years, making repairs and ensuring functionality
  • Consistently refueled, operated, and transported a 16,000-watt gasoline generator that provided power for our events
  • Transported, assembled, and disassembled light, sound, and power setups across 5 locations for more than 60 events
Sep 2016 - Mar 2018 President Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) club, GAI Leadership
  • Planned and led school's first science fair with 3 teachers, featuring 38 students building 13 projects
  • Student projects included solar generators, electromagnets, LED lamps, backup power packs, and handheld fans
  • Built DIY projects including batteries from household chemicals, electromagnetic railgun, and electrolysis unit
  • Demonstrated 3 taser models and multiple coiled transformers to science teachers
  • Collaborated with teachers to maintain and restock Biology, Physics, and Chemistry labs
Jan 2015 - Jan 2018 Head Prefect, Timekeeper, and Team Leader Glory Academy International College (GAI) Leadership
  • Led team of 7 student prefects governing school's student population
  • Assisted in planning and executing Cultural Day event celebrating school's diversity
  • Managed school timekeeping duties, ensuring bell rang on time for events and assemblies
  • Delivered valedictory speech at graduation demonstrating strong public speaking skills
View all involvement

ls ./performances

Jan 2022 - now Musician & Member African Students Association, SDSU Music
  • Organized and decorated the venue for African Night SP 2022 with 7 student musicians
  • Planned, rehearsed, and performed 2 African songs live during African Night SP 2022
  • Performed 3 songs with my best friend at African Night SP2023
Jan 2022 - now Volunteer, Vice President & Musician Black Students Alliance (BSA), SDSU Music
  • Prepared and performed solo and 6 duet songs with BSA leaders for the Step Show (March 2023)
  • Collaborated with 8 BSA members to learn, rehearse and perform a complex group choreography
  • Performed live music at BSA Open Mic Nights (Spring/Fall 22) and Brookings city Juneteenth celebration
  • Volunteered at Taco Prep (American Indian Student Center), 2023 Wacipi festival, and MLK Marade
  • Designed and built website for the 2024 MLK Marade
Jan 2019 - Nov 2021 Pianist & Guitarist Parish Choir, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church Music
  • Accompanied the choir on guitar and piano during Sunday masses, contributing to the congregation's worship experience
  • Consistent at weekly rehearsals, providing musical keys and rendering intros and interludes for music
Jan 2015 - Jan 2018 Pianist & Member of High School Choir School Choir, GAI Music
  • Contributed to the student choir as a tenor singer, adding vocal depth and harmony to performances
  • Performed as pianist and singer at daily assemblies and school events including valedictory and Christmas programs
View all performances

ls ./talks

Jul 2024 U and AI: OMAA Edition – AI Training Workshop Office of Multicultural Affairs & Accessibility, SDSU AI/ML
  • Led hands-on AI training workshop for 12 OMAA staff on administrative tools. Created pre-workshop survey to tailor content. Covered 5 AI tools including use cases, ethical considerations, and best practices.
View all talks

ls ./awards

Awards

7
Jan 2025 Future Innovators Award South Dakota State University AI/ML
  • Awarded $5,000 to develop AMBER, a real-time hazard detection system for autonomous vehicles
May 2026 Dean's List - Spring 2026 South Dakota State University Academics
  • Recognition for academic excellence (GPA > 3.5)
May 2024 Dean's List - Spring 2024 South Dakota State University Academics
  • Recognition for academic excellence (GPA > 3.5)
May 2023 Dean's List - Spring 2023 South Dakota State University Academics
  • Recognition for academic excellence (GPA > 3.5)
Jan 2023 National Society of Collegiate Scholars NSCS Academics
  • Inducted as member for outstanding academic achievement
Dec 2022 Dean's List - Fall 2022 South Dakota State University Academics
  • Recognition for academic excellence (GPA > 3.5)
May 2022 Dean's List - Spring 2022 South Dakota State University Academics
  • Recognition for academic excellence (GPA > 3.5)

ls ./skills

Skills

cat about.txt

About

I like problems where the constraint is real: 32,000 satellite files, a microcontroller with no room to spare, a deadline in eight hours.

Computer Science graduate at South Dakota State University, Software Engineering minor, starting my M.S. this month on a Graduate Administrative Assistantship. Eleven years of work across tech, education, retail, and design.

First-generation student in the US. I speak four languages, play 29 instruments, and bike through South Dakota winters. I once wrote a Python script to generate 150 Juneteenth bingo cards, then played banjo at the event it was for.

Clarifying questions are a feature, not a bug.