Dan Stowell

Programmer

I have strong skills in PHP, Java, SQL, SuperCollider, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and XML, and I work regularly with Windows, Mac OSX, Unix (Solaris) and Linux platforms.

Web designer

I have strong skills in web design, accumulated through nearly 10 years of experience developing and maintaining websites.

I am highly experienced at creating accessible, usable websites, and have worked with many UCL departments on revamping their web presence. My work at UCL has involved programming complex user interfaces (e.g. an online database of all research output) with an emphasis on usability throughout.

IT trainer

I have led training sessions in a variety of subjects within UCL, including HTML, Dreamweaver, SPSS (statistics software), Reference Manager (bibliographic software).

I have authored training/self-teaching manuals for Dreamweaver and SPSS, as well as online tutorials in PHP, Javascript, CSS, and more.

Musician/broadcaster

I make radio programmes for Flat Four Radio, and some of my series have been syndicated onto Resonance FM.

I also make music, currently exploring computer-based music using SuperCollider. For musical projects see my music site.

Science communicator

I was a "Scienceline expert" on quantum physics for over a year, answering scientific questions from the public by email. The Scienceline project ended in 2003.

I also voluntarily conceived, designed and created projects providing free online information about the HIV virus, and now maintain these.

Learning technologist

As well as working technically on various projects related to e-learning, I maintain an interest in the pedagogical aspects of learning with computers. In 2004 I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Researching Learning Technologies.

Education

Queen Mary, University of London (2006 - present)

PhD, Centre for Digital Music

UCL Education and Professional Development (2002 - 2004)

Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Technologies Research

Cambridge University (Corpus Christi College) (1997 - 2000)

1st class BA hons. Natural Sciences (History and Philosophy of Science)

I studied chemistry, physics, and molecular cell biology, before specialising in the history and philosophy of science in my final year.

My degree dissertation was called "one of the best pieces of research ever produced in this department by an undergraduate" in my examination report.

Contact

For contact details please see the Dan Stowell web page at QMUL

Projects

OnCite publications database

OnCite is an open-source research publications database, which I developed from humble beginnings starting in 2001.

Since 2004 it has been UCL's canonical database of all its research output, and contains over 74,000 publications and is used by hundreds of authors/administrators across college on a regular basis.

It is an online system, allowing authorised users to add/edit records via a web browser. It can import/export data in standard formats, and integrates with other webpages and with the college's "Eprints" repository.

3D HIV

3D HIV is a unique project to create a scientifically-accurate, interactive 3D model of the HIV-1 virus. It is particularly intended for use in education, and runs on Windows and Mac.

I devised and created this software using Java, with the "JOGL" 3D graphics library.

Moodle

Moodle is an open-source online learning environment. I have contributed developments towards this project including:

A tool to import entire WebCT courses into Moodle
An enrolment module using IMS Enterprise (an international standard XML format) files
Integration of 3D interactive molecule viewer (Jmol) throughout Moodle activities
An audio tool to allow users to record/upload/hear voice messages. This integrates some Java tools into a set of applets using the Speex open codec for speech compression.
An extension to "database" activity for geospatial locations, including integration with Google Earth and similar services

All of these are open-source and publicly available. Some are part of Moodle "core", and the others are available in Moodle's official "contrib" CVS repository for optional download.

Jreepad personal information manager

Jreepad is an open-source programme for maintaining notes in a tree-like structure. It is simple and lightweight (it fits easily on a USB memory stick) and runs on all major platforms.

I developed this programme because of personal need, and now it is used by hundreds of people around the world.

Flat Four Radio

Flat Four Radio is an internet radio station run by myself and my partner, available as online stream and as a podcast.

Our programmes have been syndicated by Resonance FM for further broadcast across London.

UCL Life Sciences Faculty website

Life Sciences is one of eight faculties in UCL. Since 2001, I have been managing the faculty website.

The site is integrated with UCL systems - for example with online timetables, via a method I devised to extract timetabling information from UCL's CMIS timetabling database.

The Molecules of HIV

The Molecules of HIV is a personal project that has been running since 2002. It contains over 140 articles, covering all aspects of the molecular biology of the HIV virus for the benefit of those who are curious about how this strange virus actually works.

Evolutionary sound experiments

I have long been interested in evolutionary design by computers, and have been working on various algorithms which create new music from scratch through processes which mimic Darwinian natural selection. More information