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.

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.

01

Data-backed application and workflow systems

Design practical internal tools, forms, portals, and process applications that sit on top of structured data — using platforms like PowerApps, Dataverse, ServiceNow, and custom web code where each fits.

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

02

Database and information architecture

Turn raw information, scattered tables, and informal records into usable databases with clear structure, relationships, naming, and future reporting paths.

03

Workflow automation and reporting readiness

Replace repetitive manual steps with reliable automations, data movement, validation, approvals, and foundations for dashboards or operational reporting.

04

Networks, VPNs, and connected equipment

Support practical network setups, troubleshooting, VPN access, field monitoring connectivity, and small-office or research-station infrastructure.

05

IoT, edge computing, and sensor systems

Build and support connected-device prototypes using ESP32, ESP8266, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, microcontrollers, and single-board computers — including data capture, local processing, network connectivity, and practical enclosure or parts design.

06

CAD, 3D design, and physical prototyping

Design and 3D print custom parts, mounts, and enclosures for electronics, microcontroller, sensor, and small-device builds.

07

Cloud-hosted workflow and agent systems

Deploy and maintain practical VPS-hosted systems, automation helpers, and agent-style workflows where they solve real operational problems.

Example proof: deployed a five-agent OpenClaw setup on a Hostinger VPS for personal assistance, work organization, smart-home monitoring, idea development, and career/application tracking.

08

Documentation and training

Create clear materials, explain systems to non-technical users, support adoption, and help teams build confidence with new tools.

Proof points

Specific examples behind the broader technical range.

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, and worked with Power Platform/Dataverse concepts.
Result
Moved scattered intake work toward cleaner user experience, stronger data structure, 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.
Result
Turned scattered research and program information into structures that are easier to search, maintain, report from, and build future tools around.

Networks, VPNs, and field-connected equipment

Problem
Research and home environments needed practical, reliable connectivity and secure access.
Work
Managed research-station networking using Ubiquiti and Cisco, built TP-Link home setups, configured OpenVPN/Tailscale-style access, and guided field monitoring deployments.
Result
More dependable connectivity for staff, researchers, lab systems, and monitoring equipment in environments where reliability matters.

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.
Result
Practical capability for monitoring, automation, edge processing, connected devices, and the physical details that make prototypes usable.

Teaching and community technology

Problem
Technical skills and systems only matter when people can understand and use them.
Work
Taught introductory computing at Nunavut Arctic College and ran Digital Dojo, a youth literacy and technology program.
Result
Recognized with a Community Engagement Award and strengthened practical training, curriculum, and supervision experience.
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

Technical toolkit

Tools matter most when they are tied to real systems. These are the platforms and methods I use to build, connect, troubleshoot, and document practical technical work.

Application platforms, web & business systems

Building internal tools and process applications around structured data.

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

Databases & research workflows

Turning messy information into cleaner structures for reporting, governance, and future systems.

  • Relational data modeling
  • Data cleanup
  • Data governance
  • Scientific data workflows
  • Python / pandas
  • Reporting preparation

Networks, infrastructure, IoT & edge systems

Supporting connectivity, hosted workflows, smart devices, and practical prototypes from network to enclosure.

  • Ubiquiti / Cisco
  • TP-Link networks
  • OpenVPN / Tailscale
  • Linux / SSH
  • VPS / cloud-hosted workflows
  • Practical agent systems
  • IoT systems
  • ESP32 / ESP8266
  • Arduino
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Microcontrollers / sensors
  • Single-board computers
  • Electronic prototyping
  • 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 technical system?

I am interested in roles and consulting conversations involving data-backed application systems, web interfaces, databases, workflow automation, cloud/VPS-hosted workflow systems, networks/VPNs, field-connected equipment, IoT and edge-computing systems, electronic prototyping, CAD/3D design, 3D-printed enclosures/parts, research operations, and practical digital transformation.