BSc Computer Science · Newcastle University · Graduating 2028
Aldrich Bañas
I build things — computer vision pipelines & full-stack apps to organised public events — then climb the next problem. I'm currently seeking 2027 SWE & PM placements!
Scoped and built an end-to-end computer vision tool that turns climbing ascent videos into automated, LLM-driven personalised coaching feedback, matched against a real board hold-layout database.
Pose estimation and hold-contact detection with OpenCV and MediaPipe, reaching 83.7% accuracy through iterative testing with a custom calibration tool.
Hybrid data model combining the boardlib/Aurora API with a manual-data fallback, keeping every feature available under network restrictions.
Led the design of an agent-based market simulation, defining the requirements for dynamic pricing across 150+ autonomous agents driven by strategy and stress metrics.
Real-time engine on an async FastAPI backend (asyncio tick loop) clearing supply and demand into live prices, with a Next.js / React / TypeScript frontend.
Reusable component library (shadcn/ui, Radix UI, Tailwind CSS) and a typed React context store simulating unit swaps, payments and streaming loans with fee logic.
Prioritised ruthlessly to pitch a complete MVP within the hackathon timeframe, winning 1st place against competing university teams.
Anthropic Claude AI Hackathon (Claude Builders Club) — People's Choice
Identified the friction in crowdsourcing audio data and built a web portal where anyone can record their regional accent in the browser (Web Audio API & MediaRecorder), explored on an interactive Mapbox GL globe.
Designed the metadata framework and a Node.js ETL pipeline covering 30+ languages from Wikimedia Commons and Hugging Face Datasets, backed by Supabase.
Won People's Choice by presenting a clear product narrative and a live interactive demo focused on cultural preservation.
Designed and built a handheld reaction-time game for patients with degenerative brain conditions, taking it from user needs through CAD, prototyping and user testing.
Modelled the enclosure in SolidWorks and fabricated it with CNC machinery; designed and carved a custom PCB, then wired and soldered the LED targets, two-digit display and buzzer.
Programmed the game logic as flowcharts in Circuit Wizard.
100% positive feedback from user testing, with 92% of testers requesting no changes.
Finished unitCustom PCB & wiring
SolidWorksCNC MachiningPCB DesignCircuit Wizard
02Leadership
Hack The Toon
Apr 2026 – Present
Co-Lead Organizer
Co-leading a Newcastle hackathon end to end: event strategy, participant logistics and budgeting, and sponsor outreach to companies.
Designed and built the event website, with GSAP ScrollTrigger pinned horizontal-scroll and parallax effects, to drive attendee sign-ups and sponsor engagement.
Event Manager — Social Media Contest, Belfast
Jul 2025 – Sep 2025
Ran targeted content-creator outreach and event promotion, driving 270,000+ views and 5,000+ shares across promotional and post-event media.
Directed an interdisciplinary team of creators and volunteers for ~200 in-person attendees, keeping the venue compliant with city council rules.
🏆 NCR Atleos Track Winner — Dundee Hackathon
🏆 People's Choice — Anthropic Claude AI Hackathon
03Experience
Tata Consultancy Services
Jul 2024 – Aug 2024
Work Experience Placement
Studied the technology delivery and data infrastructure behind TCS's Formula E operations (Skylab approach), learning how high-uptime, data-driven products are rolled out at scale.
Version 1
Jun 2024 – Jul 2024
Work Experience Placement · Belfast
Analysed enterprise deployment methods and product governance frameworks through the TNMOC and SWAN case studies, looking at how consultancies align tech delivery with business goals.
