Computing & data systems at a federal Arctic research station

Practical technical systems built for real operating conditions.

I support computing, data, computer-lab, and network systems at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay — and bring that same hands-on systems mindset to data-backed applications, networks, IoT/edge systems, automation, and technical documentation.

I work in a remote federal research environment where systems reliability matters, operational constraints are real, and technical fixes have to hold up outside ideal conditions.

Federal research facility Data-backed applications Networks, IoT & infrastructure
Background

Built in the Arctic, sharpened at home.

My technical judgment comes from an unusual mix: professional responsibility for computing, data, computer-lab, and network infrastructure at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, and years of hands-on experimentation with Linux, home labs, IoT devices, smart-home automation, 3D printing, and practical electronics builds.

Federal research-station systems

As a Computing and Data Technician at Polar Knowledge Canada, I work in the practical middle ground between research operations, data systems, user support, lab computing, and network reliability at a remote Arctic facility.

Hands-on technologist and builder

Outside work, I have used Linux as a daily driver for nearly a decade and keep sharpening my skills through home labbing, OpenWRT and home networking, virtual machines, DIY smart-home devices, IoT builds, CAD, and 3D printing.

How I can help

Practical systems support across data, infrastructure, and devices.

My strongest work is connecting the pieces: understanding the workflow, designing the interface, structuring the data, setting up the network or device layer, prototyping physical parts/enclosures when needed, and leaving the system understandable for the people who rely on it.

I fit best where technical systems, operational reality, and scientific or field-facing environments overlap — especially when the work sits between infrastructure, applications, troubleshooting, and information flow.

When to bring me in

The strongest fit is when the technical problem spans more than one layer.

Most of my best work sits between infrastructure, applications, users, and operational reality — where the system has to work cleanly in practice, not just on paper.

  • Your intake, review, or approval process is messy and fragile.
  • Your Linux, lab, network, or remote-access setup works inconsistently.
  • Your team is juggling spreadsheets, forms, and manual handoffs.
  • You need someone comfortable bridging infrastructure, applications, and users.
  • You operate in a science, field, or operations-heavy environment where reliability matters.
01

Internal tools & workflow systems

Clean up messy operational processes by building or improving forms, intake systems, approvals, structured records, and practical business workflows.

  • PowerApps, Dataverse, Power Automate, and ServiceNow-adjacent workflow support
  • HTML/CSS/JavaScript interfaces, forms, and portals
  • Workflow automation, reporting readiness, and documentation

Example proof: research intake and scientific database portal work built around structured forms, usable interfaces, workflow testing, and reporting-ready data.

02

Technical operations & infrastructure support

Support Linux systems, lab and workstation environments, network access, remote graphics, and the day-to-day technical reliability work that people depend on.

  • Linux workstations and servers, SSH, Docker, and reproducible setup work
  • Network, VPN, remote-access, and troubleshooting support
  • Research-station and computer-lab technical operations in real-world conditions

Example proof: Linux lab configuration work, VirtualGL/ThinLinc/Nvidia troubleshooting, Linux server support for researchers, and hands-on network reliability support in remote operating environments.

03

Connected devices & field/science-adjacent systems

Build or support practical small systems that combine sensors, devices, connectivity, light automation, and physical prototyping.

  • ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, and MQTT-style systems
  • IoT, edge processing, and monitoring-oriented prototypes
  • CAD, 3D design, and printed parts or enclosures where needed

Example proof: IoT prototypes, monitoring-oriented device work, and electronics builds where network, software, and physical design all need to fit together.

Information structure & reporting readiness

Turn raw records, scattered tables, and informal data into usable structures with validation, naming discipline, and future reporting paths.

Cloud-hosted workflows & practical agent systems

Deploy and maintain VPS-hosted workflows, automation helpers, and agent-style systems when they solve a concrete operational problem.

Documentation, training, and adoption support

Write clear materials, test the workflow, and help non-technical users understand what changed and how to use it well.

Where I fit best

The strongest fit is usually one of these four engagement types.

Internal tools and workflow systems

Forms, approvals, intake flows, operational applications, and process cleanup tied to structured data.

Technical operations and infrastructure support

Linux systems, workstation/lab environments, network and VPN troubleshooting, and day-to-day technical reliability work.

Science-adjacent data and research systems

Technical support where research operations, information structure, reporting needs, and practical computing meet.

IoT, edge, and connected-device prototypes

Small systems that combine devices, sensors, connectivity, light automation, and physical prototyping.

Consulting case snapshots

Concrete examples across workflow systems, infrastructure, and science-adjacent technical support.

Data-backed workflow applications

Problem
Research and operational workflows needed cleaner intake, validation, and downstream data structure.
Work
Designed Polar research intake interfaces using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, worked with PowerApps/Dataverse workflow concepts, and supported the transition of PowerApps/Dataverse logic into ServiceNow.
Tools
HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PowerApps, Dataverse, ServiceNow, structured forms, and workflow testing/support.
Result
Moved scattered intake work toward cleaner user experience, stronger data structure, migration-tested workflow logic, adoption support, automation paths, and information that is easier to report from.

Database and information architecture

Problem
Useful information was spread across raw records, scattered tables, and inconsistent formats.
Work
Organized Polar intake data and Northern Contaminants Program data into more usable database structures.
Tools
Database structuring, data cleanup, naming/field normalization, and reporting-aware information design.
Result
Turned scattered research and program information into structures that are easier to search, maintain, report from, and build future tools around.

Research-station technical operations and reliability support

Problem
Research operations depended on Linux resources, computer-lab systems, network reliability, and practical support that had to keep working in a remote Arctic facility.
Work
Supported Linux server resources for researchers, handled network and access troubleshooting, supported computer-lab and user-facing technical issues, and worked with contractors around network upgrade and repair activity where operational continuity mattered.
Tools
Linux systems, network troubleshooting, remote access support, computer-lab administration, contractor coordination, and day-to-day technical operations support.
Result
Helped keep research, lab, and operational systems usable and dependable in an environment where downtime, fragility, or unclear handoff costs more than usual.

Linux lab and remote-graphics troubleshooting

Problem
Lab and server environments needed reproducible Linux setups and dependable remote graphical access for technical work.
Work
Worked on NixOS lab configuration through Git-based system management and handled VirtualGL, ThinLinc, Nvidia-driver, and related Linux troubleshooting in server contexts.
Tools
NixOS, Git-based configuration, VirtualGL, ThinLinc, Nvidia drivers, and Linux server troubleshooting.
Result
Strengthened practical support for Linux-based lab systems, remote technical workflows, and infrastructure issues that sit between users, software, and the underlying machine.

IoT, edge computing, sensors, and physical prototypes

Problem
Small connected systems often need software, electronics, networking, and physical enclosure work to fit together.
Work
Built IoT and electronic-prototyping projects using microcontrollers, sensors, single-board computers, ESPHome/Home Assistant-style automation, CAD/3D design, and 3D-printed parts/enclosures.
Tools
ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, CAD/3D design, and 3D printing.
Result
Practical capability for monitoring, automation, edge processing, connected devices, and the physical details that make prototypes usable.
Working style

Understand the mess. Build the fix. Leave it usable.

Figure out what is broken or inefficient, clean up the process, test the solution, and make sure the result works for the people who have to live with it.

Skills

Selected tools by problem type

Tools matter most when they are tied to a real operating problem. This toolkit is grouped the same way I tend to use it in practice.

Workflow & applications

For forms, portals, intake systems, structured records, workflow cleanup, and practical internal tools.

  • PowerApps
  • Power Automate
  • Dataverse
  • ServiceNow support
  • HTML / CSS / JavaScript
  • Forms and portals

Infrastructure & support

For Linux systems, lab environments, remote graphics, hosted workflows, and hands-on troubleshooting.

  • Linux / SSH
  • ThinLinc / VirtualGL
  • Docker
  • Proxmox
  • VPS / cloud-hosted workflows
  • Practical agent systems

Networking & access

For reliable connectivity, segmentation, VPN access, and operational network support.

  • VLANs
  • WireGuard / OpenVPN
  • Cisco basics
  • OpenWRT
  • TP-Link / Ubiquiti
  • Network troubleshooting

Devices & prototyping

For connected-device builds, light automation, monitoring, and the physical details that make prototypes usable.

  • ESP32 / ESP8266
  • Arduino
  • Raspberry Pi
  • MQTT / Home Assistant
  • Sensors / microcontrollers
  • CAD / 3D design
  • 3D printing
Education & certification

Physics foundation with broad applied technology experience.

Bachelor of Science

Thompson Rivers University

Major in Physics; Minor in Computer Science

September 2018 – August 2023

ITIL Foundations

Service-management foundation supporting practical, user-aware IT, operations, and technical support.

Contact

Need practical help with a workflow, system, or technical operations problem?

I am most interested in consulting conversations where the need is concrete and the work has to function in the real world.

  • A messy internal workflow that needs to be cleaned up and made usable
  • A data-backed tool, form, portal, or application that needs better structure
  • A Linux, lab, network, VPN, or connected-device problem that needs practical troubleshooting
  • A science-adjacent or operations-heavy technical project that needs someone comfortable across IT, systems, and data