David J. Topper
103 Lide Place
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Tel / Fax: (434) 964-0179
www.people.virginia.edu/~djt7p
topper@virginia.edu.

EDUCATION

Columbia University, New York, NY (1991 - 1996)

Graduated Cum Laude with B. S. in Computer Science.
Additional studies in Music.

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (1987 - 1988)

Studies in Philosophy. Awarded ITT scholarship for duration of study.

Regis High School, New York, NY (1983 - 1987)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (1998 - pres.)

Technical Director, Virginia Center for Computer Music: Conduct research, write software, design hardware in various areas of computer music and technology. Research interests include open source software, real time systems, networking / web technology, computer vision, multichannel audio, computer languages, robotics, single board computers, graphic interface design, new programming APIs. Research projects have been published in over a dozen juried conference papers. Continued evaluation of new hardware, software, synthesis techniques, and programming APIs to enrich lab development abilities.

Teach graduate seminar every other year, Computer Applications in Music, taking students from the basics of programming in C/C++ to developing skills to use audio and interface libraries, culminating with final projects writing plugins and/or standalone applications.

Maintain and design laboratories and studios with computer and audio hardware to facilitate composition and research. Purchase of new hardware, setup of new Unix network, web servers, internal administrative infrastructure (eg., online signups). Serve as system administrator for lab. Install / maintain software for Unix and Mac network.

Programmer / Analyst, School of Arts and Sciences: developed IT database systems in MS Acces, both standalone and with Perl/WWW interfaces via ODBC. Served as applications developer for various departmental projects as needs arose.

Time Inc., New Media. Pathfinder, New York, NY (1997 - 1998)

Associate Systems Engineer: worked on the development of a highly sophisticated reporting system to provide Time Inc. content parters with detailed reports on their site's traffic. Design of the system included automation of entire reporting process with Platinum Technology's Autosys product, stastistical reporting using Open Market's Web Reporter package, custom Perl scripts and CGI interfaces to Sybase SQL Server 11 to provide custom reports and charts. The system deals with over 1 gigabyte of mission critical data every day which is transformed into over 100 different reports. Supervised evaluation of new system, evaluating state of the art database technologies, Oracle 8 and Sybase IQ. Worked closely with Oracle and Sybase representatives to benchmark systems on high end Sparc workstation (Ultra 2 w/ 1gig ram 30gig HD via fiberchannel).

Columbia University, Electronic Music Center, New York, NY (1995 - 1998)

Research Assistant: worked closely with Prof. Brad Garton on implementing a real- time version of the Cmix music synthesis package. Project involves programming in C/C++, handling real-time data streams, MIDI processing, cross-platform compilation portability, digital signal theory, computer vision, and graphics. Project was presented at 1997 International Computer Music Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, paper titled RTcmix -- Using CMIX in Real Time.

Programmer / Technician: work closely with members of faculty on various projects related to music theory, research, analysis and modeling.

Freelance Software Consultant, Weehawken, NJ (1994 - 1996)

Provide clients with wide range of computer-related services: tutoring in various software packages, WWW page and internet consulting, computer repair / setup, and custom programming.

Delphi Economics Inc., Weehawken, NJ (1989 - 1993)

Responsible for operations and developmental functions related to start up and maintenance of U. S. office for multi-national investment research firm.

Product Design & Support: assisted in creation of manual for company's software program, Viking. Provided technical support. Gave key input on design, troubleshooting, and upgrade suggestions. Performed editing, layout, and publishing of company's newsletter.

Database Management: created custom dBase III program to track all company functions, telemarketing, sales statistics, client / subscriber management, billing, mailings. Maintained and developed stock database sold both in the U. S. and in Europe. Also designed automated program to download/send data.

Marketing: designed advertisements for software, newsletter, & consulting services.

Stock Market Analysis: programmed custom trading strategies for using in-house software program.

Computer Maintenance: was responsible for all computer-related activity: security, repair, setup, etc...

Accounting: set up & maintained custom ledgers, paid bills, wages weekly reports to head office.

SKILLS

Programming Languages: C/C++, Yacc/Lex, Perl, CGI, HTML, Lisp, Scheme, Unix Shell, SQL and MS Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

GUI, Graphics and Audio API's: Gnome/GTK, Trolltech's QT, OpenGL, OSS/ALSA.

Operating Systems: Unix (Linux, Solaris, IRIX, Next), Mac OS, Windows, DOS.

Hardware: PC, Apple/Mac, SGI, Sparc, various flavors of Single Board Computers (SBCs) such as the TS7000 and Gumstix series.

Foreign Languages: Italian (speaking, reading, & writing).

General Skills: very quick ability to learn, excellent mechanical and artistic understanding, unique problem solving skills, strong determination, patience, very resourceful.

OTHER INTERESTS

Staying abreast of various technical trends in computer technology, programming, general technology and science, aerospace, technology industry research, stock option trading, automobiles, motorcycles, mountain biking, exercise, yoga.