Readable systems
Code, interfaces, and workflows that are straightforward to pick up later.
Software engineer
Backend systems, research software, and AI applications.
I'm Christa Cooke, a software engineer with 10+ years of experience across backend systems, full-stack applications, and research software. I currently work as a Senior AI/ML Engineer at CATHEXIS. Previous work includes research software at Johns Hopkins APL and contract engineering at Carbon Maps.
10+ years
building software
Research tools
biomedical and climate work
Product work
from rough idea to usable app
I like clear interfaces, boring code in the good way, and tools people can keep using after the first version ships.
Current work
Software supporting an HHS AI initiative on the C3 AI platform at CATHEXIS.
React + Next.jsNode.jsAI featuresResearch toolsClimate data
How I work
How I tend to work.
Good software is usually clear, useful, and not too painful to change later. That is what I aim for whether I am building something new or cleaning up an existing codebase.
Useful automation
AI and data features where they make a real workflow a little easier.
Steady maintenance
Software that can change without becoming mysterious.
AI and machine learning
Applied AI and research tools
I work on AI features when they have a job to do: search, summarization, extraction, research support, or workflow automation. The useful part is usually the product design around the model, not the model by itself.
Biomedical literature review
Climate research tools
LLM API integration
LLM features
Search, summarization, extraction, and chat flows built around existing product data.
Research tools
Interfaces for reading papers, comparing sources, and keeping track of evidence.
AI workflow details
Backend and UI work around model output, review steps, and clear failure states.
Featured case study
ResearchLens
A small biomedical research app for moving from a research question to a more manageable reading path.
- A TypeScript research workflow organized around search, source review, and synthesis.
- Paper-review screens that keep summaries close to the source material.
- A working Vercel app for exploring how AI can support literature review without replacing it.
Engineering experience
Research and production systems
Experience building software with researchers and product teams, from data pipelines to the interfaces people use to work with them.
CATHEXIS
Senior AI/ML Engineer, August 2026 to present.
Software supporting an HHS AI initiative on C3 AI
Technical and mission requirements translated into production implementations
Data-driven applications and integrations in a federal environment
Johns Hopkins APL
Software engineering for biomedical research, climate modeling, and public health tools.
Bioinformatics pipelines using Flyte, DataJoint, and Kubernetes
Android software for spinal cord stimulation research
Climate research interfaces and LLM fine-tuning
Carbon Maps
Contract Full-Stack Engineer, September to November 2025.
Backend systems and APIs for environmental impact reporting
Production software built with data science and product teams
Environmental data requirements for the food industry