Software Engineer
Building thoughtful software and reliable systems.
I’m Derek Serrano, a software engineer and pianist with a passion for building thoughtful systems and exploring creative ideas through technology. I enjoy solving complex problems, writing clean code, and continuously improving both as an engineer and a person.
Selected work
Technical projects.
A gesture-controlled 3D modelling application that enables basic CAD operations using hand tracking from a webcam. Built with Python, Open3D, and PySide6, with gesture recognition powered by Google MediaPipe and communication between ML and UI subsystems handled through a custom TCP protocol.
Crypto Trading System
An automated cryptocurrency trading system built during a hackathon. The platform analyzes market data and executes trades using algorithmic strategies while providing a real-time dashboard for monitoring performance.
Hobby Finder
A web application that connects users based on shared interests and recommends new hobbies using machine learning. Implemented a K-means clustering model to analyze user preferences and generate personalized hobby suggestions.
Beyond engineering.
Piano performance and improvisation.
Outside of software, I’m also a pianist with a strong focus on improvisation and expression. Music has long been one of my most meaningful creative outlets, and it continues to shape the way I think about discipline, refinement, and artistry.