resume
Nick Bartzokas
R&D Software Engineer Exploring 3D, AI, and XR
Work
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2020.07 - Present New York, NY
Senior R&D Engineer
The New York Times
Building interactive stories, data visualizations, and journalism tools with 3D, XR, and machine learning.
- Why Opening Windows Is a Key to Reopening Schools: A simulation of airflow in a real New York City classroom shows how simple ventilation and filtration can reduce the probability of coronavirus exposure.
- See How the Dixie Fire Created Its Own Weather: This blaze fueled its own firestorms, again and again. The New York Times reconstructed a 3-D model to let you get up close.
- 31 Published Experiments in AR Storytelling: World-class AR journalism in collaboration with The Times' newsroom using Instagram’s Spark AR platform. Spatial data, real-scale explainers, interactive visual stories, 3D art, and immersive environments that enhance our readers’ understanding of the world.
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2019.07 - 2020.07 Brooklyn, NY
Technical Director, Software Developer, Consultant
Freelance
Provided technical leadership and software development for creative and educational projects.
- Worked on simulation and data driven VFX for AMNH Hayden Planetarium show Worlds Beyond Earth.
- Developed VFX and games for choose-your-own-adventure web shows in which play drives narrative
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2017.12 - 2019.07 New York, NY
Associate Director of Science Visualization
American Museum of Natural History
Led a team of researchers, designers, and developers in collaboration with scientists and educators, producing immersive experiences, games, and visualizations that engage museum visitors with science.
- Produced VR experience, T. rex: Skeleton Crew, a first for the museum, jury-selected for SIGGRAPH
- Produced AR content for museum’s mobile app that makes scientific specimens spatially interactive
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2016 - 2017 New York, NY
Product Manager, Sesame Street & IBM Watson AI Pilot
Sesame Workshop
Led a team through concepting, design, development and testing; planned and executed strategies for leveraging Sesame’s expertise on child development and IBM’s cutting-edge machine learning services.
- Produced AI-powered prototype that taught kindergarteners vocabulary through adaptive curriculum
- Awarded US Patent #10506303 as member of Sesame Street’s historic partnership with IBM Research
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2014 - 2016 New York, NY
Senior Technologist
Rockwell Group
Led technology and innovation for award-winning design studio; made corporate exhibits and digital art for clients including Facebook, D'Addario, Hard Rock, Hilton, and the Cooper Hewitt.
- Developed VR, generative visuals, tangible interfaces, large scale and globally distributed systems.
- Launched LAB’s R&D workshop and lecture series exploring the cutting edge and fostering teamwork.
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2012 - 2014 New York, NY
Creative Technologist, Exhibition Media & Interactives
American Museum of Natural HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural History
Produced award-winning educational interactives and games for museum exhibits, conducted brainstorms and R&D, designed and developed robust software and hardware solutions.
- Pterosaurs Exhibition : Use your body to pilot a pterosaur over a prehistoric landscape in a virtual flight lab, and encounter spectacular life-size models of pterosaurs including giants such as Quetzalcoatlus northropi.
- The Power of Poison Exhibition : Turn the pages of an “enchanted” book to learn about toxic plants, investigate evidence to solve poisoning mysteries at digital interactive stations, and hear dramatic stories of poisonings and forensic detection in a theater presentation.
Education
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2001 - 2005 New Brunswick, NJ
Skills
| Leadership/Design | |
| Strategy, Proposals, Project planning, Ideation, R&D, Prototyping, Experience design, Interaction design |
| Technology | |
| 3D, AI/ML, AR/VR, Blender, CV, Houdini, JavaScript, Node, Python, React, Shaders, Spark AR, Three.js, Unity, WebXR |