Who Am I?

I'm Evan Pochtar, a 22-year-old master's graduate in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota, specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software engineering.


I was drawn to computer science in the first place because of how interdisciplinary it is, and how much I could learn and do. From biology and chemistry to English and construction, software touches almost every aspect of our world. This versatility led me first to my bachelor's degree and now to graduate studies, where I studied trying to bridge the realm of theory and practice. My college experience has been transformative, it has offered not only growth on an academic front but also opportunities to connect with people like me, and those who have studied and researched for years in the field. I approach education as an ongoing field in my life which I am far from done with, as I have a lot left to learn. I look forward to continuing to develop and learn both professionally and personally, and would love to connect with others who share similar interests.


Beyond academics, I maintain a balanced lifestyle. I enjoy exploring research papers, mostly about machine learning and biology advances, and have a passion for history and geography on the reading side. For relaxation, I divide my time between novels, video games, and cardio, particularly running and biking. Being born to a family of Ukrainian immigrants, growing up between two cultures and transitioning from Russian to English has given me perspective on the importance of language and communication. This background is one reason for my love for reading and writing across genres. Technical papers, as well as research papers have been a big part of my academic life, and I hope to continue to explore the world of research and writing in the future both in and out of school. Fiction reading has also been a big part of my life, and I have a passion for exploring a variety of genres, like science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. I am always on the lookout for new recommendations!


My professional interests include Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Bioinformatics, and Full-Stack Development. I have worked two internships, both focusing on full-stack development, and have experience with a variety of programming languages, testing frameworks, databases, and frontend frameworks. I am always eager to learn new technologies and improve my skills, especially those that are novel and cutting edge.


If you are interested in working with me or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email or LinkedIn!

Languages I Speak

  • English (Fluent)
  • Russian (Intermediate)

Professional Interests

  • Deep Learning and Classical Machine Learning
  • Computer Vision and Image Processing
  • Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery
  • Full-Stack Development

Hobbies

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Reading

My Favorite Books

Norwegian Wood
Cat's Cradle
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
No Longer Human
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
Schoolgirl
A Confession
Life for Sale

What I am currently reading

Crime and Punishment
Six of Crows
Spring Snow
Children of Dune
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Nightfall and Other Stories
Flies

Books I have recently finished

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
It's Such a Beautiful Day
Flies
Nobody Here But—
Sally
What If—
C-Chute
In a Good Cause—
Hostess
Breeds There a Man?
Candide
Green Patches
Nightfall
A Confession
The Fall
If you want to see more, visit my goodreads here!
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Video Games

My Favorite Games

Cyberpunk 2077
League of Legends
Europa Universalis 4
Rimworld
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Factorio
Minecraft
Pokémon Black Version 2

Games I'm Currently Playing

Rimworld
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Minecraft
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Exercise

As someone who thrives on having a calender and a set schedule of things I want to do for the day, I find myself loving activities like biking and running that I can do everyday and feel a little more awake. Whether it's taking a jog outside on a good day, running on the treadmill, or using the elliptical, cardio has become an important part for my daily routine and me in general. What I love most about these workouts is how they help me stay focused while also providing a sense of relaxation and time to think. Maintaining a consistent exercise schedule has been fantastic for both my physical and mental well-being, it's just challenging enough to feel rewarding, but not so intense that it leaves me exhausted. I also do enjoy weight training a few times a week, making sure I don't neglect other parts of my body, however it doesn't scratch the same daily itch that cardio does. The mental clarity I get from my daily cardio sessions has helped me stay energized and feel amazing for a very long time now.