Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publication and Speaking
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

SARA SAMUEL

New York,NY

Summary

AI Developer and Full Stack Software Engineer with a strong foundation in building generative AI solutions, enterprise apps, and cloud-native tools. Experienced in Python, React Native, and Unity, with published research in AR/VR for medical training in IEEE TVCG. Skilled in AI integration, model tuning, and cross-functional development.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

AI Developer, Watsonx Client Zero

IBM
New York, NY
08.2024 - Current
  • Designed and developed generative AI POCs for multiple sales use cases
  • Created a RAG-based virtual assistant to improve IBM product trial experiences, with estimated $1.25M in cost savings
  • Developed an ETL pipeline for parsing data sources and storing the contents in vector databases for consumption and refinement in Watson Orchestrate and watsonx.ai
  • Performed relevancy training on datasets in Watson Discovery to improve model performance
  • Developed an API hosted in IBM Code Engine to receive logging webhooks and store logs in a database
  • Built custom extensions in Watson Assistant for integrating virtual assistant with technical support solutions
  • Evaluated and selected optimal foundation models for various use cases through testing, performance analysis, and prompt-tuning
  • Participated in design and discovery workshops to determine project requirements, business value, and architecture
  • Generated documentation for seamless handoff of POC to product delivery teams
  • Participated in discovery sessions for automating Sales Territory Management; identified AI integration points and developed technical architecture and user flow diagrams for a solution to streamline the client hierarchy cleanup process

Full-Stack Developer, Mobile@IBM

IBM
New York, NY
05.2021 - 08.2024
  • Developed backend (Obj-C) and frontend (React Native) features of the IBM enterprise mobile app store (80,000+ users worldwide)
  • Implemented cloud function sequence for authentication, device management status checking, and database logging for a serverless iOS app used to transition 18,000 employees from IBM to Kyndryl device management
  • Created a reusable IBM Innersource library for enabling enterprise intranet authentication in mobile apps
  • Rebuilt and modernized a legacy Node/Angular/MariaDB web app used for managing Apple device enrollment requests, eliminating manual processes and enabling team admins to act upon requests more seamlessly
  • Developed an API leveraged by IBM’s Cybersecurity Assurance team for tracking mobile device compliance
  • Led the development of a conference database webapp as a governing member of the IBM Eminence Community

Research Assistant

Columbia University
New York, NY
02.2018 - 05.2021
  • Conducted research on an AR/VR project in partnership with Columbia College of Dental Medicine
  • Developed VR haptic feedback and interaction techniques in Unity to teach dental students injection procedures
  • Implemented AR animations and 3D model target tracking as part of a multi-year, internationally funded art project

Software Engineering Intern

The New York Times
New York, NY
06.2020 - 08.2020
  • Built a dashboard to centrally visualize team’s Kubernetes pod/container statuses and organize documentation (React.js, Golang)
  • Developed an iOS AR app that displays archived NYT newspapers in 3D space and 2D scrollview (C#, Unity, Vuforia)
  • Improved the newsroom-side Timeswire UI by adding Samizdat error messaging and multi-selectable dropdowns (jQuery, Bootstrap)

Creative Technologist, Spatial Computing for News

The New York Times
New York, NY
01.2020 - 05.2020
  • Collaborated on a prototype of an AR spatiotemporal documentation tool enabling journalists to annotate artifacts in 3D (C#, Unity)
  • Presented each iteration of the project to cohort members and R&D team leads

Education

Columbia University -

M.S., Computer Science
02-2021

Barnard College, Columbia University -

B.A., Computer Science And English (Writing)
05-2019

Skills

Languages/Frameworks:

Python, JavaScript, C#, C, Angular, NodeJS, ReactJS, React Native, jQuery, Java, Express, SQL (Postgres, DB2, Mysql)

Technologies:

Containerization, CI/CD, Docker, Git, GitHub, Jira, Kubernetes, OpenShift, IBM Cloud

AI/Graphics:

Prompt engineering, watsonx, Pytorch, Matplotlib, Unity, ARKit, ARCore, Vuforia, OpenCV

Soft Skills: Project management, Mentoring, Agile methodologies, Public speaking, Writing

Publication and Speaking

Publication:

S. Samuel et al., “Visuo-haptic VR and AR guidance for dental nerve block education,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, pp. 1–10, Mar. 2024. doi:10.1109/tvcg.2024.3372125

Conference presentations:

  • “Visuo-Haptic VR and AR Guidance for Dental Nerve Block Education,” IEEE VR. Orlando, FL, 2024
  • "XR Learning Tools for Intra-Oral Local Anesthesia,” Innovations in Simulation Summit. New York, NY, 2022

Affiliations

  • IBM Eminence Community: Govern the IBM Eminence Community by organizing company-wide learning events to help IBMers practice and improve their public speaking skills. Co-lead the development of a conference database with a custom FastAPI backend, enhancing the visibility of speaking opportunities across the organization and strengthening IBM's industry presence.
  • IBM Developer Profession: Lead public help sessions for IBM Developer Profession certification candidates, review professional certification submissions, and provide guidance to help colleagues advance their technical careers, contributing to IBM's culture of continuous professional development and technical excellence.
  • Mentoring Emerging Talent: Mentored three early-mid career developers; Provided personalized support in identifying skill gaps, documenting technical achievements, and articulating their contributions. Offered technical guidance on development topics of interest and coached mentees on effectively navigating 1:1s with managers and writing impactful year-end self-reflections.

Timeline

AI Developer, Watsonx Client Zero

IBM
08.2024 - Current

Full-Stack Developer, Mobile@IBM

IBM
05.2021 - 08.2024

Software Engineering Intern

The New York Times
06.2020 - 08.2020

Creative Technologist, Spatial Computing for News

The New York Times
01.2020 - 05.2020

Research Assistant

Columbia University
02.2018 - 05.2021

Columbia University -

M.S., Computer Science

Barnard College, Columbia University -

B.A., Computer Science And English (Writing)