Crafting digital experiences through code, community, and creativity.

I'm Karl, a passionate full-stack software engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where I architect and develop mission-critical web applications that help share NASA's groundbreaking research with the world. When I'm not coding, I dedicate my time to the arts as a volunteer at The Renwick Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum . My diverse interests extend into music, where I find creative expression through performance and composition.

Blog Posts

Embracing the Future with Tailwind CSS v4 Beta

I've recently integrated Tailwind CSS v4 Beta into my portfolio, pushing the boundaries of modern web design. This cutting-edge version brings exciting new features like native color opacity, simplified custom values, and improved performance. By adopting v4 Alpha, I'm staying ahead of the curve and delivering a more efficient, flexible, and visually appealing user experience. Explore my portfolio to see Tailwind CSS v4 Alpha in action and witness the future of web styling firsthand.

Livewire + Inertia

If you're a Laravel developer, you may be interested in using Laravel Livewire and Inertia to build interactive and dynamic web applications. Livewire is a full-stack framework that allows you to create dynamic, reactive components using PHP. In contrast, Inertia enables you to use those components on the front end with minimal JavaScript. Together, these tools can make building modern, responsive web applications with minimal code easier. Livewire and Inertia are easy to learn and use, and they can be a great addition to your toolkit as a Laravel developer. Give them a try and see how they can improve your workflow.

Transitioning from Laravel Mix to Vite

Are you tired of dealing with the slow build times and complicated configuration of Laravel Mix? If so, it might be time to consider transitioning to Vite. Vite is a modern frontend build tool that provides an extremely fast development environment and bundles your code for production. When building applications with Laravel, you will typically use Vite to bundle your application's CSS and JavaScript files into production ready assets. Laravel integrates seamlessly with Vite by providing an official plugin and Blade directives to load your assets for development and production.

Rewriting interfaces with TailwindCSS

If you're tired of the same old UI designs and want to give your interface a fresh, modern look, consider rewriting it with TailwindCSS. When I first came across TailwindCSS, I was amazed by the framework's simplicity. I rewrote my interfaces in a matter of minutes with efficiency and maintainability, leaving me more time to focus on the core of my applications. I have since used TailwindCSS in all of my new projects.

Introducing my personal portfolio

I am professionally showcasing my portfolio, highlighting the breadth of my experience and the depth of my skills across multiple industries and verticals, establishing myself as a go-to resource for new business opportunities.

Work

  1. Company
    NASA
    Role
    Senior Full Stack Engineer
    Date
  2. Company
    InformedDNA
    Role
    Senior Software Engineer, Laravel
    Date
  3. Company
    Ticomix
    Role
    Senior Software Engineer, CRM
    Date
  4. Company
    Sabre Corporation
    Role
    Software Engineer
    Date
  5. Company
    Dante Inc.
    Role
    Software Engineer
    Date
  6. Company
    Verizon Business
    Role
    Software Developer
    Date
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Portfolio

A brief, curated list of projects I've worked on over the years in professional settings.

ESCCOR Project Screenshot

Application

Earth Science Communications Content Registry (ESCCOR)

ESCCOR is a cutting-edge platform revolutionizing Earth science data management. This system integrates advanced taxonomy, AI-powered indexing, and a high-performance catalog, accessible through a user-friendly portal. ESCCOR enhances NASA's Earth Sciences Division's reporting, product access, and cross-team collaboration, positioning NASA at the forefront of Earth science data management. My work significantly improved NASA's handling of vast Earth science information, benefiting multiple NASA groups and advancing the agency's mission.


Laravel, Apache Nutch, ElasticSearch

Earth Observatory Screenshot

Website & Backend Administration

Earth Observatory

I helped develop NASA's Earth Observatory website and its advanced back-end system, creating a digital gateway to NASA's environmental research. This platform showcases stunning imagery, compelling stories, and crucial discoveries about Earth's ecosystems and climate from NASA's satellite missions and field research. Using cutting-edge web technologies, we crafted an immersive interface that brings complex scientific data to life for a global audience, supporting NASA's mission to foster public understanding of our planet's intricate systems and environmental changes. The site serves as an invaluable resource for scientists, educators, policymakers, and the public alike.


Laravel, Bootstrap, Laravel Mix

Direct Readout Laboratory Screenshot

Website Case Study

Direct Readout Laboratory

The Direct Readout Laboratory (DRL) plays a vital role in connecting NASA's Earth observation missions with data users worldwide. I designed a concept website for the DRL, envisioning a modern and dynamic platform built with cutting-edge web technologies like Laravel, Tailwind CSS, and Vite. This responsive design would effectively showcase the DRL's innovative work in facilitating real-time data transmission from Earth-observing satellites directly to ground stations across the globe. The website's intuitive interface would provide users with seamless access to mission-critical information, valuable tools, and essential resources, like data visualization tools and educational materials, enhancing environmental monitoring capabilities and supporting vital scientific research on a global scale. By empowering users with timely and accessible data, the DRL website aims to strengthen international collaboration and contribute to a deeper understanding of our changing planet.


Laravel, Tailwind, Vite

Verizon Business Finium Screenshot

Application & Backend Administration

Verizon Business Finium™

Verizon Business' Finium™ platform revolutionizes cybersecurity by integrating threat intelligence, vulnerability data, and security events in a centralized web console. Operating from a disaster-resilient Security Operations Center, this cutting-edge system empowers analysts and business leaders to proactively manage security as a strategic asset. My work on Finium™ contributed to transforming enterprise cybersecurity, making it an accessible, integral part of business operations in our complex digital landscape.


JAVA, JSF, Struts

IDNAPortal Screenshot

Application

IDNAPortal

InformedDNA leads the applied genomics field, optimizing clinical decisions with cutting-edge genomics expertise. Their IDNAPortal, which I developed, is a sophisticated platform that analyzes and interprets genomic data. It provides healthcare providers with actionable insights from years of clinical and financial data, enabling personalized care decisions. This innovative tool streamlines complex genomic information, enhancing treatment strategies in precision medicine.


Taylor MDA Screenshot

Tool for Building Enterprise Applications

Taylor MDA

At Dante Inc., I contributed to Taylor MDA, an advanced Eclipse-based UML modeling tool for multi-tiered, distributed systems. It streamlines complex system design and maximizes code generation from UML models. Taylor MDA features pre-designed templates for JEE applications, integrating JPA/EJB3 and JSF/Seam/Facelets, accelerating enterprise application development through innovative model-driven architecture techniques. My work enhanced its capabilities and user experience.