Nikolai Nekrutenko

nan34@cornell.edu · https://github.com/NikolaiTeslovich · State College, PA 16803

Education

Cornell University, Physics Major & CS Minor in the College of Arts and Sciences

September 2021 - May 2025

• Semester 1
  • AEP 1200 - Intro to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
  • MATH 1920 - Multivariable Calculus for Engineers
  • PHYS 1116 - Physics I: Mechanics and Special Relativity
• Semester 2 (in progress)
  • CS 1110 - Intro to Computing with Python
  • MATH 2930 - Differential Equations for Engineers
  • PHYS 2217 - Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism

Pennsylvania State University, Non-matriculated Student

January 2021 - May 2021

• Semester 1
  • CHEM 110 - Chemical Principles I
  • CHEM 112 - Chemical Principles II
  • MATH 141 - Calculus with Analytical Geometry II

State College Area High School

August 2017 - January 2021

Academic Interests

• Applied and experimental physics
• Science communication and education
• Blockchain and cryptocurrencies

Activities and Experience

Research

Department of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University

Mar 2022 - Present

• Researcher in Dr. Valla Fatemi's laboratory
• Building and configuring an Arduino-based OpenDAC
• Using QCoDeS (a quantum computer data acquisition framework) to run and setup experiments
• Interfacing with equipment and sensors over GPIB by developing drivers in Python

Penn State Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University

Jul 2019 - Aug 2019

• Researcher in Dr. Slava Rotkin‘s laboratory
• Learned about scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM)
• Developed a Python program using Jupyter Notebooks to filter out background noise from microscope scans
• GitHub repo: https://bit.ly/3sWNeWJ

Science and Technology

Member of Cornell Blockchain, Cornell University

Sep 2021 - Present

• Part of the research and development team
• Currently working on establishing a DAO for the club
• Interview potential members and determine if they are a good fit for the club

Member of Rocket Lab Initiative, Pennsylvania State University

Sep 2020 - Jun 2021

• Prototyped and developed a Raspberry Pi sensor payload for a suborbital model rocket
• GitHub repo: https://bit.ly/34M8JS1

Founder of State High Model Aeronautics Club, State College Area High School

Oct 2019 - Jun 2021

• Co-Founder & president
• Club focused on learning about aeronautics through the design, construction, and flight of remote controlled model aircraft
• Recently acquired a grant from Centre County to purchase equipment and parts
• Website: https://bit.ly/3H1aXd1

Volunteering

Leader at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Pensylvania State University

Summers 2017 - 2019

• Volunteered as a counselor in a summer camp for elementary and middle school children
• Nature awareness and appreciation education
• Performed various activities such as games, and hikes around the forest to make the enjoyable, memorable and educational for all

Instructor at A Mountain Wind Martial Arts, State College, PA

Feb 2013 - Present

• Black Belt (Cho Dan) in Tang Soo Do, a Korean Martial Art
• Instruct and help younger students with proper form, technique, and on practical and philosophical applications of the art
• Awards at at the regional 2019 tournament
  • 3rd place sparring
  • 3rd place weapons

Work Experience

Cramer Farm & CSA, Howard, PA

Jun 2021 - Aug 2021

• Helped run a small (4 acre) organic farm
• Weeded beds, fed animals, tilled soil with a tractor, harvested crops, etc.

Nikolai's Mowing & Yard Care, State College, PA

Summers 2017 - 2021

• Mowed and took care of lawns for a dozen clients around State College

Skills

Languages

Fluent In:

• English
• French
• Russian

Computer Skills

Programming Languages

• Python
• Javascript
• Shell

Data Analysis

• Jupyter Lab
• Pandas
• Vega-lite

Website Design

• Hugo
• Netlify
• GitHub Pages

Software

• 3D design programs (Sketchup, Tinkercad, Fusion 360, Blender)
• 3D printing software (Ultimaker Cura, PreForm)
• Photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop, Pixelmator Pro)
• Vector editing software (Adobe Illustrator)
• Video editing programs (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro)
• Model rocket design software (OpenRocket)

Microcontrollers

• Arduino
• Raspberry Pi

Cryptocurrency Mining

• Linux
  • Ubuntu Server
• GPUs
  • Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin (RVN)
• CPUs
  • Monero (XMR)

Smart Contract Development

• Basic knowledge of Solidity and Brownie

Technical Skills

Laboratory Experience

• Thin layer chromatography
• Gas chromatography
• Infrared spectroscopy

Prototyping Skills

• Soldering
• Utilization of electronic tools
• Woodworking
• CNC machine design and operation
• 3D design and printing using SLA and FDM systems

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Teamwork
• Leadership

Other Skills

• Nature photography
• Macro photography
• Cinematography

Licenses and Certifications

FCC Radio License

• Technician Radio License
• Call sign: KC3NJK

General Laser Safety Training

• Trained to operate lasers in labs at Penn State

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)

• Certified fly drones or aircraft for recreational purposes

Personal Projects

Developing CryptoClarified

Feb 2021 - Present

• Building a community-run website to demystify and clarify cryptocurrencies
• Using Hugo and Netlify
• Website: https://bit.ly/3I9wfXp

Developing MinerWrangler

Nov 2020 - Apr 2021

• Wrote a set of bash scripts that automatically configure everything and enable control of a mining rig on Ubuntu Server
• Documented the installation process and usage guide in great detail
• GitHub repo: https://bit.ly/3BCPFRZ

Building and Maintaining a Personal Website

Apr 2020 - Present

• Built and regularly update my personal website using Hugo and Netlify
• Website: https://bit.ly/3I779s9
• Github repo: https://bit.ly/3LK6O0M

Producing Content for YouTube

Jun 2019 - Present

• Manage a YouTube channel of over 100 subscribers
• Create videos about science, technology, drones and nature
• Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3sZxT7Q

Building and Flying Drones and Aircraft

Oct 2018 - Present

• Assemble, fly and repair FPV drones and aircraft
• Prototyped an autonomous fixed-wing aircraft with INAV
• Built a CNC router to mass produce foam airplane templates
• CNC blog post: https://bit.ly/359XJNS

Photography

May 2012 - Present

• Macro, landscape, and telephoto photography of the natural world
• Photo gallery: https://bit.ly/33zJmC9