Ernesto Rivera
Bridging Tech and Industry: Innovating Solutions, Inspiring Change.
Why Computer Science?
As previously mentioned, I am Ernesto Rivera. I'm originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, where I discovered my passion for building. I thrived in robotics classes starting at 8 years old, but what stuck with me was programming robots—something nobody else around me seemed to enjoy. At 12, I moved to California, where I couldn't join the school's robotics team due to circumstances beyond my control. This unexpected obstacle gave me the perfect opportunity to become part of the first-ever middle school group of students taking AP Computer Science A.
While this Java class wasn't my best work, it opened Pandora's box to the world of programming. At Troy High School, I was required to choose a pathway, much like selecting a major. I furthered my programming journey by choosing the Computer Science pathway, where I eventually completed four years of programming coursework. I share this story because, for many, Computer Science is a field they pursue primarily for the lucrative paycheck it offers. But for me, Computer Science was a passion long before it became a career opportunity.
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Technical Interests
Computer Science has always been a passion of mine, deeply shaping my interests in the industry. I'm particularly intrigued by the intersection of technology and its practical applications, especially how tools like Artificial Intelligence can drive innovation across various sectors. My experience spans contributions to universities, the construction industry, the video game industry, and the medical billing industry, among others.
One of my favorite fields is Computer Vision. Cameras are becoming more advanced and are now integral to our daily lives, from smartphones to specialized devices like infrared and thermal cameras. My fascination with this field started in high school with Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which introduced me to the potential of programming. Papers like Nougat fueled my curiosity, showcasing how AI can transform untapped visual data into meaningful insights.
Beyond vision, I'm captivated by Quantum Computing. What began as a curiosity after watching a TED Talk evolved into a deeper interest when I learned about efforts to use quantum computers to challenge encryption methods like RSA. The possibilities of reliable quantum computing—advancing medical research, accelerating computations, and unlocking new technologies—continue to inspire me.
Entrepreneurship Endeavors
My passion for entrepreneurship and hackathons has been a major driver in my journey with technology. During a gap semester before college, I joined my first hackathon: the NASA Space Apps Competition. Our team became Global Nominees, which sparked my fascination with using technology to address real-world challenges. Since then, I've participated in numerous hackathons, winning over $65,000 in prizes.
Hackathons provide an exciting space to collaborate and turn imaginative ideas into reality within 24 hours. They've taught me the importance of teamwork, creativity, and adaptability. Beyond hackathons, I've worked on two startups, including serving as a lead technical engineer. One of these startups focused on integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into universities, providing students with 24/7 access to AI-powered tutors tailored to their courses. Collaborating with over 14 universities, I gained invaluable experience scaling technology to meet institutional needs.
While that venture has concluded, it solidified my passion for building impactful solutions and reinforced the potential of startups to create meaningful change.
Personal Interests
While tech and entrepreneurship are central to my journey, there's so much more that defines who I am. First and foremost, I'm grateful for my family and friends who have supported me in all my endeavors. Scattered throughout my website are photos of my friends, which ties into one of my first passions: photography. All the background photos on this website were taken with my film camera, a hobby that lets me preserve memories from my travels.
Travel is another passion of mine, and I love exploring new places, immersing myself in different cultures, and—most importantly—trying the food. I consider myself a foodie who's always open to trying anything at least three times. My love for food extends to coffee, and in Fall 2024, I made one of my favorite purchases: the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine. Now, I enjoy experimenting with beans I've collected from my travels, learning to appreciate the unique flavors of each roast.
Living in Boston for school has its own perks, though I miss surfing and snowboarding back home in Southern California. While I can't enjoy those activities here, I've continued running, a sport I competed in all four years of high school as a varsity cross country and track athlete. Running has remained a meaningful way for me to stay active and grounded.
I'm also passionate about leadership and connecting with others. As President of one of the leading business fraternities at my university, I've been able to work with driven individuals from diverse fields. This role has allowed me to expand my network and perspective beyond the tech world, which I've found incredibly rewarding.
Lastly, music is a constant in my life. I listen to over 8 hours a day, enjoying genres like RnB, indie, and EDM. I've attended more than 20 concerts, and music has become a source of energy and inspiration for me. Whether it's through food, travel, or music, these passions remind me to stay curious and live life fully.