alda pontes here on the keyboard!

But, please allow me to introduce myself more colorfully: I am an outcomes-driven technologist, professional laugher, artist and aspiring community-builder. I'm a full-stack data technologist who lives to design and implement innovative solutions to pressing problems. Fancy algorithms are not inherently beautiful to me. Technology is a tool, and I'm trying to wield it to improve our human experience.

fast facts

🍌 I minimize assumptions & prioritize simplicity.
💋 I am Occam’s razor.
💻 I measure outcomes & add complexity only as needed.
😍 I am able to solve wide-ranging problems thanks to my friend-teachers & open source tribe.
🥑 My typing-fuel is a lemon peel infusion, nut-based snacks & samba music.
🦋 Dancing is the most free expression of my soul.
🖖🏽 My daily routine includes stretching, reading & learning from others.
🤦🏽‍♀️ I'm frustrated @ how unequally resources are distributed...
⚡ ...but I think there's something we can do about it.
🥰 I love volunteering my time and resources towards improving the lives of people who are struggling. Need help? Let's talk.
🌍 I nest between Spain, Portugal and sometimes still gallavant with my partner. This is where we are right now.

rewind: background & dreams

I was born and bred between Brazil, Japan & the USA. I'm a cultural byproduct of Brazilian populism and liberation theology. I'd like to focus my time on improving living conditions for folks who are struggling the most.

Over the course of the last decade+ I have dedicated my educational, professional and spiritual life to exploring this thread. I spent two years quantifying the impact university-level quota systems had on education attainment in Brazil (study link, no spoilers here!). I've spent the last ten years doing a mixture of projects in data science & software development. I've developed a bend towards deploying the minimum amount of technology to solve 90% of the problem (0 to 1). I'm responsibly afraid of complex solutions & of solving non-issues. For the past many years, I have been focused on using technology to mitigate resource-distribution inequities (primarily in access to healthcare, water, food, and education). Check out my portfolio if you're hungry for more details on past & current projects. And here's my CV, in case it helps paint a broader stroke. I love working with others, and I think the feeling is mutual. Check out what my peers say about working with me.

Through the course of the last five years I've split my time between pro-bono & work in healthcare technology. I volunteer with not-for-profit social welfare & justice organizations to help out however I can; that has looked like teaching, operations, software, construction, design & architecture. These are made possible through rewarding collaborations with my partner Simit Rajwadi. Today I'm working as a VP of Strategy & Chief of Staff @ House Rx, where we make therapy management easier for patients everyday.

many thank yous

I stand on the shoulders of giants. Thank you to Simu for always encouraging my curiosities. Thank you to my parents for the endless love & carinho. Thank you to all the wonderful artists who have contributed with open source imagery that added some spice to these words.