Hello 👋 I'm Mark Edward

I am a Bachelor of Science – Master of Science in Computer Science (Honors) student at De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. I enjoy working on challenges that bring together AI and applied computing.

I have had the opportunity to work on projects with the Asian Development Bank and the International Rice Research Institute. In 2024, I received the Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. A year prior, I was conferred the second prize in the Magsaysay Future Engineers/Technologists Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines. Here are some of my recent publications:

• 🧬 Bioinformatics
  • Web dashboard and bioinformatics pipeline for rice genome analysis
    GigaScience (Code | Paper)
  • Predicting which bacteria are attacked by "good" viruses using protein language models
    PLOS ONE (Code | Paper)
• 👁️ Computer Vision
  • Lightweight deep learning model for detecting camouflaged objects
    2024 IEEE 48^th Annual Computers, Software, and Applications Conference (Paper)
  • Lightweight deep learning model for detecting mirrors and reflective surfaces
    2023 International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision (Code | Paper)
• 🗣️ Natural Language Processing
  • Tracking the evolution of Filipino word meanings using sentence embeddings and network science
    2023 International Conference on Asian Language Processing (Code | Paper)
• 💻 Programming Language Design and Implementation
  • Novice-friendly programming language for 2D drawing and animation
    2024 Philippine Computing Science Congress (Code | Paper) – Awarded Best Student Paper
• 🛢️ Database Design and Data Visualization
  • Transforming chatbot dialogues into a data mart schema for data visualization
    2023 Philippine Computing Science Congress (Paper)

I have also worked on software engineering projects:

• 🎨 Artemis. An art-sharing Android app where the community of users can post, bookmark, and provide feedback on members' works, as well as share these artworks on their Facebook accounts
• ⛽ Powerzone Inventory. A web-based inventory, transaction, and delivery management system for a fuel company in Bicol, Philippines

Apart from coding, I am passionate about sharing and learning bits and bytes about tech. Since 2017, I have been a mentor for the Asian MathSci League, Inc. (AMSLI), an organization that trains and selects representatives for international math and informatics competitions. I designed the curriculum and wrote handouts for its advanced programming classes.

Since 2021, I have been contributing questions to the International Bebras Challenge on Informatics and Computational Thinking, an annual contest joined by over 80 participating countries. My 2023 problem proposal was awarded Best Task, and my 2022 and 2024 proposals were also nominated for this recognition.

I also enjoy competitive programming. In the 2022 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) Asia-Manila Regionals, our team ranked fifth and was recognized as the top Philippine team and the first to solve a problem.