Senior AI/ML Engineer
Aug 2026 – Present
CATHEXIS
Build software and data integrations for an HHS AI initiative on the C3 AI platform.
About Christa Cooke
I'm Christa Cooke, a software engineer based in Washington, DC. I work on backend systems, web applications, and AI integrations, using React, Node.js, and Python. I'm currently a Senior AI/ML Engineer at CATHEXIS, supporting an HHS AI initiative. My background includes research software at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and internal applications at Northrop Grumman.
Education
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science & Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
August 2024
B.S. Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
May 2015
Professional Experience
Software Engineering & Consulting
Feb 2025 – Aug 2026
Various Companies · Contract
Contract engineering for AI applications, backend systems, and early-stage products.
- IconicShift · Feb – Mar 2026 — Built full-stack features for a startup coaching platform.
- Carbon Maps · Sep – Nov 2025 — Built backend systems and APIs for food-industry environmental reporting.
Software Engineer
May 2022 – Feb 2025
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Built research tools, neuroscience data pipelines, a CDC visualization app, and a spinal cord stimulation Android app. First author of an IEEE-NER paper on epidural stimulation.
Software Engineering & Research
Oct 2020 – Mar 2022
Various Companies · Contract
Short-term engineering and research across financial technology and bioinformatics.
- Mabloc · Sep 2021 – Mar 2022 — Built laboratory data tools and software for amino acid sequence generation.
- Cash App · Jun – Sep 2021 — Full-stack software engineering contract.
Full Stack Engineer
Apr 2019 – Oct 2020
EduMe
Built a training platform with React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. Improved reporting performance and simplified the codebase.
Full Stack Engineer
Sep 2017 – Oct 2018
[24]7.ai
Built chatbot demos, voice-bot conversations, and reusable bot templates.
Software Engineer
Jun 2015 – Sep 2017
Northrop Grumman
Built shift-scheduling software and maintained internal applications for parts and orders.
Software Contractor · Part-time
May 2014 – May 2015
Siemens
Built employee training and safety-certification tools while completing university.
Technical skills
JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, Java, SQL, and PostgreSQL.
Get in touch
For engineering opportunities or questions about my work, email me at christadcooke@gmail.com or find my projects on GitHub.