Random Quote

"Do you know who's replacing me?" "Yes, Lambert." "Lambert. LAMBERT?"

-- Michael Vaughn and Eric Weiss, Alias - 1x03 - Parity

 

And now, for something completely different.

I'm Eric D. Pratt, a senior software engineer at Pegasystems Inc., and this is my website. I grew up in Fanwood, NJ and graduated sixth in my high school class. I graduated in 2007 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with a B.S. in computer science and minors in economics and philosophy. In May 2007, I moved to Somerville, MA, where I now reside.

Eric D. Pratt

Computer Scientist, Web Developer, Graphic Designer
eric@ericdpratt.com - www.ericdpratt.com - Somerville, MA
Last updated 20 September 2008

Objective

  • None; currently employed full-time at Pegasystems Inc.

Education

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Aug 2003 to May 2007) - Troy, NY
    B.S. in Computer Science with minors in Economics and Philosophy - GPA: 3.6 / 4.0
  • Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (Sep 1999 to Jun 2003) - Scotch Plains, NJ
    Class Rank: 6 / 231, GPA: 4.41 / 4.8

Skills

  • C, C++, Java, Perl, HTML, XHTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, AJAX, XML, SQL, MySQL
  • Limited experience with C#.NET, ASP.NET, SQL Server, Oracle DB, Lisp, Scheme, VBScript
  • Familiar with Section 508 Accessibility Standards, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
  • Skilled at design of intuitive user interfaces, aesthetic graphical layout, and database architectures
  • Specialist in web applications for enhancing workflow productivity and managing user interaction with data

Languages

  • English, conversational German

Experience

  • Pegasystems Inc. (May 2007 to Present) - Cambridge, MA
    Senior Software Engineer - http://www.pega.com
    • Created front-end tools for the developer portal of the company's software product, PegaRULES Process Commander, using Java, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS
  • RPI Student Senate Web Team (volunteer) (Spring 2006) - Troy, NY
    Web Developer - http://studentsenate.rpi.edu
    • Developed and designed an AJAX/PHP/MySQL application for administration of the Monday Morning Mailing (now the Union Pulse), a weekly student government newsletter containing recent news and upcoming events
    • Used AJAX for a fast, responsive interface featuring creation, editing, and deletion of news items, events, special announcements, and spotlight stories, as well as the ability to render this content using any HTML template containing predefined keyword variables
  • New York State Office of the State Comptroller (May 2006 to May 2007) - Albany, NY
    Student Intern, Data Security Unit, Bureau of Information Technology Services - http://www.osc.state.ny.us
    • Created a static XHTML website internal to the unit to store necessary information and expedite customized printing of template letters and documents using VBScript and JavaScript
    • Developed a robust and dynamic Computer Security User Request and Processing System (CSURPS) using PHP and SQL Server that manages workflow for system security requests from state agencies
    • Created a Java application that serves as an interface to three Oracle databases for report display and export to CSV or HTML
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Cognitive Science (Fall 2005) - Troy, NY
    Teaching Assistant - http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/courses/intrologic/
    • Assisted Professor Yingrui Yang and the RAIR Lab team (see below) in the deployment of a new course format involving courseware (Slate and NDL) developed at RPI
    • Gave class lectures on NDL, propositional logic, and first-order logic
    • Developed and designed new course website with automated homework submission and grading using PHP and MySQL
  • Rensselaer Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning Laboratory (May 2005 to Oct 2006) - Troy, NY
    Research Assistant, Web Developer - http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/research/rair/
    • Joined the research team on the Slate project for intelligence analysis and logic instruction, formalized an intelligence analysis case study in first-order multi-sorted logic
    • Developed, designed, and maintained new RAIR Lab website using PHP
  • RPI TV (volunteer) - Student-Run Television Station for RPI (Sep 2004 to May 2007) - Troy, NY
    Secretary/Webmaster, Equipment Manager - http://www.rpitv.org
    • Developed and designed the RPI TV website using PHP and MySQL with an IMDB-like productions database, photo tagging, dynamic broadcast schedule, events calendar, and club archives
    • Directed filming crews, designed the club logo, produced graphical titles, composed music for television programs
  • Scomage Information Services (Summer 2003, Summer 2004, Jan 2005) – Scotch Plains, NJ
    Software Developer - http://www.scomage.com
    • January 2005: Worked on a component of a professional sports wager management program using Borland C++Builder 6 Enterprise edition
    • Summer 2004: Developed different software applications, mainly a project manager program and certain report generation programs, worked with Borland C++Builder 6 Enterprise edition and Crystal Reports 9
    • Summer 2003: Developed a date selector and calendar component using Borland C++Builder 6 Enterprise edition, helped set up networking in new offices being constructed for a local temple
  • Union County College, Department of Continuing Education (Summer 2002) – Cranford, NJ
    Student Assistant, Teaching Aide - http://www.ucc.edu/ContinuingEducation/
    • Performed as the youngest student assistant and teaching aide in the College for Kids and College for Teens programs, assisted in and made a presentation for the Web Authoring class, assisted in the baseball and soccer camps, substitute taught the chess class, created and formatted databases and class schedules, miscellaneous office work
  • Lehecka Pratt Associates, Inc. (Jun 2001 to Present) – Fanwood, NJ
    Web Developer, Office Assistant - http://www.lpa-training.com
    • Ongoing: Maintain and perform updates to company website, occasional redesign and upgrade to meet web standards over the years
    • Summer 2001: Developed and designed new company website, created database for mailing lists, miscellaneous clerical projects

Honors

  • Dean's List - Fall 2003 to Spring 2007 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
  • Eagle Scout - Troop 33, Fanwood, NJ
  • German Honor Society - Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, NJ
    • Two years of gold medal awards in AATG (American Association of the Teachers of German) competitions; as a sophomore, placed first in the school on the AATG exam, scoring in the 99th percentile
  • American Math Competition (AMC) - Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, NJ
    • Participant in sophomore and junior year of high school; as a sophomore, placed first in the school in the 9-10 grade category

Interests

  • Efficient distribution and retention of accurate information by large numbers of people
  • Intuitive and aesthetic design of publications, websites, and interfaces
  • Technical and artistic aspects of audiovisual production
  • Brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, white belt in American Jiu Jitsu
  • Three years of training and practice in fencing
  • 10 years of classical/jazz piano & composition