Dominic Stefani's Resume

Projects

Retrieval-Augmented Personal AI Chatbot (FastAPI + Sentence Transformers) Try it here

• Architected a RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipeline using sentence-transformers to vectorize a curated dataset of professional and technical Q&A pairs, enabling grounding for an AI assistant
• Engineered a semantic retrieval engine utilizing scikit-learn cosine similarity to perform real-time vector searches against precomputed embeddings for high-accuracy context injection
• Optimized LLM performance by injecting retrieved context into OpenAI prompt templates, ensuring responses remained factually grounded in personal experience while mitigating hallucinations
• Developed a resilient FastAPI backend featuring asynchronous request handling, CORS configuration, and custom IP-based rate limiting to manage API costs and prevent automated abuse
• Built a responsive vanilla JavaScript frontend with custom error handling for HTTP 429 (Rate Limit) and 500 status codes, providing a seamless, chat-like user experience

Full-Stack Secure Password Manager See on Github

• Designed and developed a full-stack password manager with a Flask backend and a responsive front-end using modern HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript, integrating CryptoJS for client-side cryptography
• Architected a relational SQLite database with multiple tables to efficiently store user and password metadata while maintaining strict data integrity
• Implemented robust user authentication and validation workflows, including salted password hashing, encryption keys, and secure key management
• Applied best-practice cryptography methods: all sensitive data (passwords, secrets, keys) encrypted/decrypted client-side; no sensitive information stored in plaintext on the server
• Ensured secure client-server interactions and mitigated common web vulnerabilities

MTG Deckbuilder (C# + ASP.NET Core Web API + Windows Forms + Docker)

• Built an asynchronous RESTful API with ASP.NET Core to interface with external data providers, with JSON serialization and complex query logic to handle multiple parameters
• Architected a scalable microservice environment by containerizing the backend with Docker
• Built a modern, dynamic UI in C# with Windows Forms featuring custom drag-and-drop mechanics
• Developed a state-aware deck-management system that ensures data integrity by tracking unsaved changes

Experience

BS, Computer Science, BYU-Idaho, Expected Grad: Apr. 2026

Combined software engineering principles with AI/ML techniques in academic and personal projects, creating functional applications grounded in real-world problem-solving, rather than purely academic exercise.

K-12 Math Tutor, Mathnasium, Oct. 2025 - Jan. 2026

• Provided one-on-one and group tutoring for K–12 students, covering k-12 math
• Monitored student progress, identified areas of weakness, and implemented targeted strategies

Sales Representative, Zeo Energy, Summer 2021, 2022, 2023

• Generated over $1.1M in revenue through direct residential solar sales across three summer seasons
• Trained new and experienced sales representatives and led individual and group meetings, reinforcing sales strategies and improving team effectiveness

Volunteer Representative, Church of Jesus Chist of Latter-day Saints, July 2019 – July 2021

• Navigated sensitive, faith-based conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, using strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Set, tracked, and achieved personal and team goals while working within a highly structured global organization

Skills

• Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, C#, Kotlin, Swift, SQL
• Frameworks & Libraries: Flask, FastAPI, ASP.NET, .NET, Express, React, Jetpack Compose, SwiftUI
• Cloud & DevOps: AWS (EC2, S3, CloudFormation), Google Firebase, Docker
• Databases: SQL Server, PostreSQL, MongoDB, Firestore
• Other Skills & Interests: Video Editing & Graphic Design (Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, GIMP, Adobe Photoshop), Fitness, Football