This project served as the capstone for my Associate Degree in Software Engineering at Lakeland Community College. The goal of the assignment was to “design a product that solves a humanitarian issue using electrical components and a Raspberry Pi.” I chose to develop an automated pill container that rotates its top incrementally after a programmed time interval to remind users to take their medication. The inspiration for this project came from my personal struggle with remembering to take daily vitamins, and I wanted to create a simple yet effective solution. The project was completed individually as part of my coursework, with guidance from my professor and peers who provided feedback on design considerations.
Objectives
• Address the issue of missed or forgotten medication doses by developing a time-based dispensing system.
• Design a functional prototype using basic electrical circuits, a Raspberry Pi, and Python programming.
• Ensure ease of use by implementing an intuitive rotation mechanism.
• Develop critical problem-solving and project management skills by taking the project from concept to completion.
Results
The final prototype successfully demonstrated an automated pill-dispensing mechanism that rotated the lid at set time intervals. The project reinforced my knowledge of electrical circuit design and embedded programming while sharpening my ability to think critically through a structured development process. An unexpected challenge was fine-tuning the motor control to ensure smooth and consistent rotation, which required additional debugging and calibration. This experience strengthened my troubleshooting skills and deepened my understanding of hardware-software integration.
While this project was initially designed for academic purposes, the concept has the potential for further refinement and real-world application. Future improvements could include adding a notification system, integrating a mobile app for reminders, or expanding the design to accommodate different medication schedules.
ThreatLocker is a zero-trust security solution designed to provide application control, ring-fencing, storage control, and privileged access management to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. At ETC TechSolutions, ThreatLocker had been introduced but was not actively utilized, limiting its potential benefits. My role in this project was to fully implement ThreatLocker into our environment, ensuring it became an integral part of our security infrastructure rather than an underutilized tool. This project was completed as part of my internship, with collaboration across internal teams to refine workflows and improve adoption.
The primary goal of this project was to transition ThreatLocker from a dormant tool into an actively managed security solution. Key objectives included:
Documenting all aspects of ThreatLocker’s features, functionality, and implementation process.
Rewriting and optimizing automation scripts within our Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) system for seamless installation and uninstallation.
Developing comprehensive training courses for both clients and technicians to ensure proper understanding and utilization of ThreatLocker.
Integrating ThreatLocker into our company portal to enhance client accessibility and engagement.
Reviewing and refining firewall policies to improve security and simplify ongoing maintenance.
Through this project, I successfully transformed ThreatLocker into a fully implemented security solution within ETC TechSolutions. The documentation and training courses provided a structured approach to user education, improving both internal and client adoption. By automating deployment through our RMM, installation and management became significantly more efficient. Additionally, the integration within our company portal increased client engagement, particularly in submitting security requests. Lastly, refining firewall policies enhanced security while ensuring easier long-term management. As a result, ThreatLocker now serves its intended purpose within ETC TechSolutions, strengthening cybersecurity and streamlining security operations.
This collection of programming projects showcases my ability to tackle diverse challenges using Python, Java, and PowerShell, blending automation, user-focused design, and cybersecurity. At ETC TechSolutions and in personal endeavors, I’ve developed solutions like a Python script to automate a pill container’s daily lid rotation, a Java contact manager with file-based storage, PowerShell scripts to validate ThreatLocker’s installation, and a Hudu API-integrated script to rotate Microsoft tenant passwords. My role across these projects was to create practical, efficient tools that address real-world needs—whether enhancing daily life, organizing data, or securing systems—demonstrating my versatility and technical skillset.
Objectives
The primary goal of these projects was to deliver impactful programming solutions tailored to specific problems. Key objectives included:
Automating a pill container’s lid rotation with Python for reliable medication management.
Building a Java GUI application to save and retrieve contacts seamlessly via file I/O.
Writing PowerShell scripts to check ThreatLocker’s registry keys and services for accurate cybersecurity deployment.
Integrating with the Hudu API in PowerShell to automate secure password rotation for Microsoft tenant admin accounts.
Ensuring all solutions were well-documented, efficient, and adaptable to user or team needs.
Results
Through these projects, I successfully delivered tools that solve practical problems with precision and creativity. The Python automation made medication tracking effortless, highlighting my hardware-software integration skills. The Java contact manager provided an intuitive user experience, showcasing my GUI and data management expertise. The ThreatLocker scripts streamlined cybersecurity processes at ETC TechSolutions, proving my automation and system-level programming strengths. Finally, the Hudu API script enhanced security workflows, demonstrating my API integration capabilities. Together, these projects reflect my ability to craft innovative, reliable solutions that improve efficiency and security across diverse applications.