I am Joshua Loufek, a developer from Brevard County, FL. I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2021 with a BS in computer science.

As a child, I excelled in STEM-related subjects and had an enduring passion for video games. Despite this, I initially majored in chemical engineering. What led to my change in majors was an introductory programming course I took. Writing my first line of code was one of those revelatory moments in life. Coding provided the perfect fusion of logic and math, speaking to me on a fundamental level. I knew then that I had to change my studies so I could pursue computer science full-time, a decision I haven’t regretted since.

I’ve always been fascinated with systems. I’m most in my element when I’m able to strip them bare and see how their gears work. I need to see their flaws, see where they can be improved upon or done differently. Connecting and reconnecting these pieces is something I derive great satisfaction from. The gratification of creation – to make something from nothing – is what drives me at my core.

Naturally, my favorite question is ‘why.’ It’s not enough to merely know that something works; I need to know what makes it tick. I’m driven by the great desire to pull back the veil of a given problem and study its inner workings until I comprehend it completely. This impulse aids me not only in efficacy for a given task, but also by providing me with knowledge I can apply to similar situations in the future.

As previously mentioned, my great passion in life is video games. One of my earliest and clearest memories is when that spark ignited. Like many children, it occurred on Christmas. I was gifted a Playstation 2, my first console, and Kingdom Hearts to go with it. I escaped into a mystical world, one filled with intrigue, excitement, and plenty of zippers. I carry that childhood wonder with me to this day. It’s my sincere hope that, one day, I’ll be part of a project that inspires other people in the same way.