Hi, I'm Luke Walsh 👋

A little about me

  • Welcome to my portfolio! I built this website with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to showcase my skills and projects. I hope you enjoy your stay!
  • EDUCATION - I am a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Computer Science. My coursework includes data structures, advanced algorithms, and theoretical foundations of computer science. Previously, I studied Data Science at Bryant University, focusing on data analysis and interpretation. With this solid foundation, I am now honing my coding skills through various passion projects displayed here.
  • SKILLS - Now that you know who I am, let me share a brief intro to my skills. I am proficient in JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, HTML, and CSS, and have a foundational understanding of C. I've worked on many challenging projects, some of which are showcased on this website and my GitHub. Coding is truly my passion, and I'm always eager to take on new projects to refine my skills and expand my portfolio.
  • Now, please feel free to connect with me through the contact information provided on this website. Whether you're a fellow student or a potential employer, I'd love to hear from you.

My Projects

Academix

  • Academix is a website I built as part of a group project for a class, where the main objective was to develop a functional application. In this project, I had the opportunity to lead the team, which involved conceptualizing the project idea, assigning tasks to teammates, and providing assistance whenever needed. Academix is designed to be a study and class management tool, similar to Canvas but with a focus on enhancing study efficiency. Students can add their current classes, track homework and due dates, and monitor their mastery of various topics, identifying areas that need more attention. This project was pivotal in developing my frontend and backend skills. Through it, I gained proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Express.js, providing a comprehensive learning experience in web development.

Markov Chain Story Generator

  • One of my earliest and most memorable projects, undertaken while I was first learning Java, was a Markov Chain Story Generator. This project introduced me to the concept of Markov chains and their powerful applications. I developed a program that allows users to input any text, such as books, which the program then cleans and converts into Markov chains. The user specifies a number to determine the length of word sequences the program analyzes. Based on this, the program identifies the most common subsequent words, randomly selects one, and continues this process until a coherent story is generated. The logic behind this ensures that the stories maintain coherence, as the program does not arbitrarily choose words but follows a sound algorithmic approach. A notable feature of my program is its ability to process large texts, such as the entire Bible, and generate a story from it relatively quickly. This project not only enhanced my understanding of Java but also demonstrated the practical applications of Markov chains in text generation.

Closet Lab

  • Closet Lab is a mobile app I developed as part of a group project, designed to help users organize and visualize their outfits. The app allows users to upload photos of their clothing, create outfits, and plan ahead using a calendar. It also features donation reminders for unused items, combining practicality with environmental consciousness. This project followed real software development practices, including the creation of detailed software requirement documents and system design documents, as well as conducting unit testing and system testing to ensure a high-quality product. Working with my team, I contributed to both the frontend and backend, utilizing React Native for the interface and Python with MongoDB for data storage. Closet Lab was an incredible experience that enhanced my skills in collaborative development, mobile app design, and creating user-focused features.

Drive

  • This will be my next project. I will be developing a mobile app in react native that will allow users to set how long they would like to go for a drive for. If the user selects a 30 min drive the app will plot a course that is 30 mins long and ends back at their starting location. This app is designed for people like myself who find driving relaxing but don't want to worry about where they're going. All they want to do is drive. My app will allow users to forget about where they're going, all they need to do is select how long and drive. The app will leverage tools like Google Maps API or Mapbox for real-time route plotting and GPS tracking. A key feature of Drive is its use of search algorithms, such as A* (A-Star) or Dijkstra's algorithm, to calculate optimal routes that meet the user’s time preferences while integrating traffic data for improved accuracy. Additionally, the app will allow for user customization, such as selecting scenic routes or avoiding highways.