About Christa Cooke

Climate software, biomedical tools, and full-stack web apps

Christa Cooke - Software Engineer

Hi, I'm Christa Cooke, a software engineer based in France. I build web applications with React.js, Node.js, and practical AI integration. My work has included bioinformatics research tools at Johns Hopkins APL, sustainability software, and enterprise applications.

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

A practical summary of the engineering work I have done across research, climate software, and product teams.

Carbon Maps logo

Senior Backend Developer

Carbon Maps

Sep 2024 - Present

Key achievements at Carbon Maps: • Developing backend systems for the sustainability platform that helps food companies calculate and reduce their environmental impact • Working on carbon accounting solutions for Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions in line with GHG Protocol recommendations • Building automated Product Carbon Footprints and Life Cycle Assessments for large-scale food industry portfolios • Contributing to SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) trajectory calculations and impact reduction simulations • Supporting the platform that processes thousands of product references through 100% automated sustainability assessments
JHU Applied Physics Lab logo

Software Engineer

JHU Applied Physics Lab

May 2022 - Sep 2024 · 2 yrs 4 mos

During my time at APL, I worked across several research and product areas: • Developed a website showcasing a machine learning model for predicting climate change tipping points, fine-tuning LLMs on climate research papers. The project received an internal REDDx award. • Collaborated with researchers to develop bioinformatics pipelines using Flyte, Datajoint, and Kubernetes for large-scale neuroscience data analysis. • Created a Vue.js front-end application for the CDC, enabling interactive visualization of disease spread and pandemic tracking. • Sole developer of an NIH neuromodulation prize-winning Android app for improving spinal cord injury outcomes through epidural stimulation. • First author of a research paper on epidural stimulation, accepted at the IEEE-NER conference for neural engineering.
Read about Climate AI ProjectView Research PaperRead about Spinal Cord Project
Edume logo

Full Stack Engineer

Edume

April 2019 - Oct 2020 · 1 yr 6 mos

Key achievements at EduMe: • Developed corporate training and communication web app using ReactJS, Node.js, and PostgreSQL • Led implementation of secure login bypass for authorized users • Restructured database implementation to improve report download speeds up to 50% faster • Refactored the entire codebase to remove the dependency injection framework Bottle.js • Re-skinned web UI to reflect individual customer preferences • Collaborated on a team of 6 developers running six week sprints following Basecamp's shape-up project development practices • Documented several APIs and detailed instructions on accessing remote servers and navigating logged output with an intended technical audience
[24]7.ai logo

Full Stack Engineer

[24]7.ai

Sep 2017 - Oct 2018 · 1 yr 1 mo

Key work at [24]7.ai: • Engineered bot store using ReactJS, Node.js and MySQL to create a way for major corporate customers to demo products before purchase, and for engineers to download working models of customer wants • Designed and developed a conversation journey for an in-production voice bot using JavaScript, SCXML, and VXML, supporting a release tied to $30 million in revenue • Developed chat and voice bot template with over 80% test code coverage with JavaScript, SCXML, and VXML, dramatically speeding up development cycle of future bots by 5X on average • Led tech talk with 40+ attendees on how to create omnichannel bot using newly developed architecture
Northrop Grumman logo

Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Jun 2015 - Sep 2017 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Key achievements at Northrop Grumman: • Built customized shift scheduling app using Java, Struts, JSP, JSTL, PL/SQL, Oracle, and JavaScript to replace manual system in order to support managers and improve velocity of floor workers • Collaborated with cross-team senior management to outline app specifications • Enhanced internal application dedicated to product parts and orders using C#, ASP.NET, and PL/SQL • Volunteered as social lead for recent graduate program

Technical Expertise

Technologies I have used to build, maintain, and improve production software.

  • Proficient: JavaScript, React.js, Node.js, Express, Java, Android, Llama/Hugging Face, GIT, SQL, PostgreSQL, jQuery, HTML5, CSS3, SASS, Python, Vue, CI/CD, REST API
  • Exposure: C++, C#, Unity, MongoDB, Ruby on Rails, Firebase, AWS, Heroku, TypeScript, Native, Webpack, Enzyme, Atlas, Markdown, Django, React Native

International Experience

With extensive experience across multiple tech hubs and international locations, I bring a diverse perspective to every project.

  • Languages: English (Native), French (CEFR A2)
  • Work Locations: Silicon Valley, London, Washington DC
  • International Experience: Lived in France while working as a freelance developer, with experience working across multiple time zones and cultural contexts

A Global Journey

From the innovation hubs of Silicon Valley to the historic streets of Europe, my journey has been shaped by diverse experiences and cultures.

🌉

Silicon Valley

The Innovation Epicenter

Where I first discovered the power of technology to transform ideas into reality. The energy of innovation and the pace of change shaped my approach to software development.

🇬🇧

London

Work and life abroad

Living in London gave me more experience working across cultures and a better sense of how different teams approach software and work.

🏛️

Washington DC

Research software

At Johns Hopkins APL, I worked on software for climate science, bioinformatics, public health, and medical research.

🇫🇷

Paris, France

The Next Chapter

The next phase of my journey takes me to Paris, where I'm now contributing to Carbon Maps' mission of helping food companies reduce their environmental impact. This vibrant city of innovation perfectly aligns with my passion for meaningful software development in the sustainability space.

What This Journey Taught Me

🌍

Global Perspective

Understanding how technology serves different cultures and markets

🤝

Cultural Intelligence

Building products that resonate across diverse international audiences

💡

Innovation Mindset

Balancing speed, maintainability, and care for the people using the software

Get in touch

If you need a freelance engineer to build a new product, improve an existing application, or think through a technical problem, reach out via email at christadcooke@gmail.com or explore my latest work on GitHub. Tell me what you are working on.