Damien Lan — Software Engineering Student

About me

Ottawa, ON, Canada

Software Engineer

Learning through the things I build.

I'm a Software Engineering co-op student at the University of Ottawa. I enjoy working across the stack and seeing a project through, from the first idea to something people can use.

During my internship at MCB Group in Mauritius, I wrote and tested Python scripts for internal engineering tools and helped maintain existing applications. Working alongside an Agile team gave me practical experience with debugging, code reviews, and day-to-day software development.

Outside class, I build projects that give me a reason to learn something new. These include LiftLog, a full-stack workout tracker; a chess bot that plays on Lichess; and an AI-assisted airspace conflict tool built at a NAV Canada hackathon. I work mainly with Python, TypeScript, React, and Flask, and enjoy figuring out how the pieces fit together.

Explore my projects View résumé

Continue to experience

Experience

Apr 2025 – Aug 2025

Software Engineer Intern

MCB Group · Mauritius

Developed and tested Python automation scripts for internal engineering tools, cutting down repetitive manual workflows.
Debugged and resolved defects across existing Python applications, improving reliability and maintainability.
Collaborated through Git-based workflows: code reviews, version control, and team integration.
Worked in an Agile environment with daily stand-ups, peer reviews, testing, and technical documentation.

Projects

Sep 2026

Hack the Hill III · First Place Overall

Dx

An AI-powered clinical training experience for interviewing simulated patients and working toward a diagnosis. Combined ranked Columbia DBMI symptom data and cached Gemini-generated cases with ElevenLabs voice conversations, Flask APIs, and a Next.js frontend for encounters, diagnosis reviews, and learning insights.

Python
Flask
Next.js
SQLite
ElevenLabs
Gemini API
Vercel

Aug 2026

LiftLog

Full-stack fitness tracker with a 6-table schema and 20+ routes for workout logging and custom splits. Added drag-and-drop reordering, rest timers, and PR detection via SQL aggregate queries, plus a persistent user-selectable color system.

Python
Flask
SQLite
JavaScript
Render

Jan 2026

uOttaHack 8 — NAV Canada

A tool that analyzes planned flight trajectory data to detect and resolve airspace conflicts and congestion hotspots. Integrated the OpenRouter AI API (LLaMA 3.1-8B) to predict conflicts and suggest advisory operational adjustments.

Python
OpenRouter AI
HTML
Git

Oct 2025

Computer Chess Bot

A chess-playing bot built on the Lichess API that competes against other bots in real time. Implemented Minimax with Alpha–Beta Pruning and Iterative Deepening, tuned for fast, accurate decisions under hackathon time limits.

Python
Lichess API
Algorithms

Jul 2024

MDX Autonomous Robot

Built and programmed an autonomous robot with C++ and Arduino, integrating sensors and motor control for self-navigation and obstacle avoidance. Applied line-following, sensor calibration, and automation logic, tuned through iterative testing.

C++
Arduino
Robotics

Skills

Languages

Python
TypeScript
SQL
Java
HTML/CSS
JavaScript

Frameworks & Libraries

Next.js
Flask
React
Tailwind
Spring
Nuxt.js
Vue.js

Databases

SQLite
SQL Server
MySQL

DevOps & Cloud

Cloudflare
Docker
CI/CD

Tools

GitLab
Git

AI & Data

OpenAI API
RAG
Prompt Engineering

Contact

Let's build something together.

Always happy to chat about roles, projects, or anything in between. Grab my resume or reach out below.

Links