Computer science
student building for
performance
I'm Sebastian Rivas, a freshman at the University of Miami studying Computer Science with minors in Mathematics and Quantitative Economics. I care about writing efficient software and understanding the systems behind it, from data pipelines to the algorithms that power them.
Whenever I get a new device or install a new game, the first thing I do is open the settings. Tuning performance mods and shaders in Minecraft, or finding the right balance between visual fidelity and frame rate, is genuinely more enjoyable to me than playing the game itself. Technologies like NVIDIA's DLSS fascinate me because they represent the kind of work I want to be close to: making things faster and smarter without compromise.
That same instinct is shaping how I approach my studies. I've been learning SQL on my own time because I find the challenge of querying and structuring data efficiently to be genuinely fun. The more I learn about data science, the more I want to understand how to use data not just correctly, but optimally. I want to be at the cutting edge of technical advancement in performance, whether that means systems, data, or the tools that connect them.
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
Led monthly meetings for 50+ members. Organized community events including a fundraiser that raised over $500 for a local charity. Spearheaded the planning and execution of a first-of-its-kind tournament, managing logistics and marketing.
Computer Science, B.S.
Focused on data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming. Particularly interested in software development and backend optimization, where small improvements compound into meaningful gains.
Mathematics
Strengthening problem-solving abilities and building theoretical foundations for advanced CS topics like cryptography and machine learning.
Quantitative Economics
Combining economic theory with quantitative methods, applying statistical modeling, econometrics, and data-driven analysis to understand markets and decision-making.
Personal Portfolio Website HTML / CSS / JS
A responsive personal website built with modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, featuring smooth animations and clean design. Deployed using GitHub Pages and developed with AI-powered VS Code Codespaces.
Python Command-Line App Python
A menu-driven CLI application with three modules: student info display, number converter for Roman Numerals & Binary, and a biological population growth predictor. Features robust input validation and functional decomposition.
Student Record & Games Application Python / OOP
An object-oriented, menu-driven console program with Student and Course classes to manage student records, compute GPAs on a 4.0 scale, and generate transcript files. Validated functionality and edge-case handling using provided test output.
Kappa Theta Pi
Professional Tech Fraternity
ColorStack
Nonprofit Tech Community
Association of Commuters
Student Organization
Club Tennis
Athletic Team
Looking for opportunities to work on real-world problems where performance matters. I'm interested in building scalable systems, backend optimization, and collaborating with teams that value efficiency.