Hello, I'm Erick Watanabe. I'm a full-stack developer with three years of experience. I enjoy building accessible sites & apps. My focus is React and Next.js.
About me
I'm a Full-Stack Engineer at Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, where I build AI-powered data curation tools for NASA. My work focuses on integrating LLM models into scientific workflows, developing RAG pipelines, and creating modern web applications with React, Next.js, and FastAPI.
My path to software engineering is unconventional. I spent years as a physicist and university professor before discovering my passion for building software. This background gives me a unique perspective: I bring scientific rigor to problem-solving while creating intuitive, accessible applications that bridge complex technical systems with user needs
I specialize in full-stack development with a focus on AI/ML integration, building everything from responsive React frontends to FastAPI backends that leverage vector databases and LLM APIs. I'm particularly energized by projects that combine cutting-edge technology with meaningful impact, like making NASA's scientific data more discoverable and accessible.
I am most experienced in React, Next.js, JavaScript, TypeScript, Tailwind, Python, and MongoDB. I am also familiar with Vite, Framer Motion, PostgreSQL, Firebase, FastAPI, and Django.
I am currently looking for a full-stack position as a Software Engineer!
My projects
NASA's Space Microbial Culture Collection page
Constructed the SMCC portal page and interactive table for tracking microbial data aboard the ISS.
- Vite
- React
- TypeScript
- Tailwind
- Django
- Python
NASA's AI Curation Methods Scientific Data
Developed full-stack AI tool that enables NASA scientists to efficiently curate and access data from NASA's OSRD.
- Next.js
- React
- TypeScript
- Tailwind
- FastAPI
- Python
Valter Pavia Tennis Academy
Designed features to digitized various of the company’s business functions
- Next.js
- React
- Tailwind
- Firebase
Animos
Developed a single-page application enabling users to create, browse, and attend pet-friendly events. I implemented key features including event creation and listing functionality.
- React
- FastAPI
- JavaScript
- Python 3
- Redux
- MongoDB
DealerSys
Built a single-page application to manage inventory, appointments, and staff for a car dealers ship.
- React
- Django 4
- PostgreSQL
- Python 3
My skills
- JavaScript
- TypeScript
- Python
- React
- Next.js
- Django
- FastAPI
- Vite
- Git
- Tailwind
- MongoDB
- PostgreSQL
- Firebase
- HTML
- CSS
- Framer Motion
- Bootstrap
- Redux
- Node.js
- Express
- RabbitMQ
- Agile
- Physics
- Teaching
My experience
Staff Scientits
Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Engineered AI-powered data curation tools with RAG pipelines and LLM integrations to help NASA scientists efficiently analyze and transform scientific data. Built NASA's SMCC portal page and interactive table for tracking microbial cultures aboard the ISS.
2025Full-Stack Engineer Contractor
Valter Pavia Tennis Academy
Using Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind, Firebase, and deployed with Vercel, we built a platform accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. This allows tennis coaches to increase client engagement on their site, manage lesson bookings for both kids and adults, oversee their employees, and handle payments from clients.
2024 - 2025Graduated Hack Reactor Bootcamp
Hack Reactor
After 4 months of intense study, I acquired full-stack skills in creating web applications using the following technologies: React, Django 4, FastAPI, Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
2023Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
Loyola Marmount University
Created synchronous and asynchronous curriculums for Introduction to Mechanics, General Physics I & II, Qualitative Skills in the Modern World, College Algebra, and Pre-Calculus.
2017 - 2021Graduate Teaching Assistant
California State University, Long Beach
Directed meetings for the Teaching Associates in the Introduction to the Physical Sciences course to instruct teaching assistants on how to conduct their lab sections.
2013 - 2016Certified PSIA level I Ski Instructor
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Instructing people of all ages on the basics and advanced mechanics of skiing at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe.
2011 - 2013Optical Researcher
University of California, Merced
Worked alongside Dr. Sharping in experimental physics research related to chromatic dispersion and ultrafast pulses of light. I served both as a general researcher, and also developed a new ultrafast laser focusing method
2010 - 2011Contact me
Please contact me directly at erickjwatanabe@gmail.com or through this form.