Samuel Blau
Sam is a senior computer science student at the University of Florida and will graduate from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering in May of 2023. He has a passion for understanding how user needs drive product design, and he enjoys finding ways to effectively communicate how technical specifications support overall product purpose. This growing interest in a holistic perspective on product development was supported by his work at several companies over the past few years. As a customer success intern at Infotech, a software company dedicated to construction management technology, Sam gained a deeper understanding of the products by focusing intently on understanding customer use cases, issues, and needs. This work ultimately supported his effort to build an internal tool used by Infotech customer service staff to better address user pain points.
One year prior, he developed his leadership skills by facilitating the development of a new software product as a product management intern at Next Gen HQ, a company focused on virtual learning and personal growth. Similarly, as a product development intern at Wahoo Fitness, an athletic technology company, he organically built his understanding of end users by creating and running a beta test program for a line of new products. Moving forward, Sam hopes to use his experience working with customers, products, and teams to develop user-driven and impactful solutions that resonate with customer needs.
In his personal life, Sam enjoys the outdoors and is an avid hiker and trail enthusiast. You can find him on road trips and on outdoor getaways of any kind!
Kaceja Calder
Kaceja Calder is a senior pursuing a major in Computer Science at the University of Florida with an expected graduation date of May 2023. She is also pursuing a minor in Anthropology. Kaceja spent the summer of 2022 working as a research facilitator for Camp Dialogs, a project funded by the National Science Foundation intended to foster Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence learning with youth-lead conversational app development. Through this experience, Kaceja helped foster interest in Computer Science and AI for low income youth, as well as getting hands-on experience with modern research methodologies. In the summer of 2020, Kaceja had an internship with OGMA Consulting, a company which specializes in providing procurement software for various public institutions across North America. In this internship, she developed a customizable graphical interface that allowed clients to view their procurement history and records.
Outside of academics, Kaceja is the president of Theatre Strike Force, a student organization that performs and teaches improv comedy. In this role, she organizes executive board meetings, runs general body meetings, and plans events relating to improv. She also teaches improv on a weekly basis. Through improv she has learned to work in a supportive team, speak confidently, and think creatively.
Yiru Mu
Yiru Mu is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida, studying biomedical engineering. She is an undergraduate researcher focusing on computer vision, neuroscience inspired AI, and human neuromechanics. Additionally, she is involved in student organizations on campus, such as dream team engineering, leading undergraduate software development teams. After she graduates, Yiru plans to work in the software or biotechnology industry to gain relevant experience. At the same time, she wishes to eventually obtain a higher degree, master or PhD, in computer science in the near future.
Vivian Sung
Vivian Sung is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Florida, with a major in Computer Science and minor in Digital Arts and Sciences. Recently, Vivian had the chance to spend her summer at L3Harris as a software engineering intern in their Integrated Missions Systems market segment and worked on a multi-level security and classification service project. She has also worked with Monochronicle as a UX and Digital Marketing intern over past few semesters, gaining valuable experience in data analysis and understanding user needs.
Currently, Vivian is involved in several student organizations on campus, including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UF, Women in Computer Science and Engineering (WiCSE) at UF, Dream Team Engineering, and the Asian American Student Union. She has been a member of SWE since her freshman year, participated in Team Tech (one of SWE’s design teams) during her sophomore year, and during her junior year, she held a position as social chair as well as a mentor in their Big Gator Little Gator mentorship program. During her free time, Vivian enjoys digital illustration and animation, practicing the electric guitar, and playing volleyball.