Readable systems
Code, interfaces, and workflows that another engineer can understand and maintain.
Software engineer
I build web applications, research tools, and practical AI features.
I'm Christa Cooke, a freelance software engineer with 10+ years of experience building practical, maintainable web applications. I usually work on React/Node applications, internal tools, research software, and AI features that need to fit into a real product.
I care about clear interfaces, maintainable code, and tools people can keep using after the first version ships.
Current work
Full-stack web apps, AI-assisted research tools, and climate software.
React + Next.jsNode.jsAI featuresResearch toolsClimate software
How I work
What I try to make true.
A good project is easy to explain, easy to use, and not painful to maintain. That is the standard I work toward, whether I am building a new feature or cleaning up an existing codebase.
Practical automation
AI and data features added where they save time or make a workflow easier to use.
Maintainable products
Software that can change without becoming fragile or hard to reason about.
AI and machine learning
AI as a tool, not a personality.
I can help add AI features to existing products: search, summarization, extraction, research support, and 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 the data users already work with.
Research tools
Interfaces for reading papers, comparing sources, and keeping track of evidence without extra busywork.
AI workflow design
Backend and UI work around model output, with review steps and clear failure states.
Featured case study
ResearchLens
A biomedical research assistant for searching papers, synthesizing findings, and keeping literature review work focused.
Ways to collaborate
How I can help
Project work, product support, and technical cleanup for teams that need an experienced engineer without adding a full-time hire.
Focused build work
For a defined feature, prototype, integration, or improvement that needs clear scope and steady execution.
Technical scoping
Frontend and backend implementation
Handoff notes
Ongoing product support
For teams that need help improving an existing app, reducing technical debt, or moving a roadmap forward.
Maintenance and feature work
Code review and architecture
AI, data, and workflow improvements