Lexus Fermelia

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Software Development

Even when I was just a young kid, I had a strong fascination for computers. There was something so seamless and impressive about it all that drew me to them. Maybe it was the speed and efficiency of them, or maybe the fact that there were endless things to do on them. I have always loved computers and how they work, so when I found out that I could make it my career, I knew that I had found my calling in life.

My experience with coding started young, beginning with a summer camp called "iD Tech," which was held at Colorado State University many years ago. There, I learned how to make a very simple mod for a video game, but ever since then, I was hooked on the process, and my love for computers grew immensely - cascading into what drives me today.

Into high school and college, I began to dive deeper into the field, and started learning all the fundamentals of coding. It didn't matter what flavor of Computer Science there was, I was interested in it all. However, I grew particularly fond of Systems Engineering and Software Development. The concept of being able to see a problem and do something to solve it is an awesome thing, and I always find fulfillment out of being able to solve problems for other people.

When I first joined the IT department with the Classroom Technology Services (CTS) division, I started out as a student field technician - going around and fixing the technology in all the classrooms across campus. A few years before I joined the team, a couple of the techs had started a web development project for the department, a tool designed to condense all of the tools and services that a student tech needs into one place - a website that can be accessed anywhere on campus. Talking with those techs, I became more interested in their goal, and I wanted to contribute. Titled "Bronson", this is the web development project I've been working on for the University of Wyoming and has been one of the most exciting projects I have had the privilege to work on thus far in my career.

The CTS department uses TeamDynamix's ticketing system to track maintenance requests, issues, tutorials, etc... Our division, CTS, heavily relies on this system, so I saw it fit that Bronson have the capabilities to serve tickets to field techs. As a field tech I saw a way to add to it with my own tool to Bronson, which I call "Tickex" - a tool where techs can look at tickets and respond to active support requests. Tickex uses many common web application techniques which includes API handling, user authentication, server-side/client-side development, and intelligent organization algorithms to function as efficiently as possible - all autonomously! It has been a large undertaking, but I am proud to say that Tickex is now fully integrated into Bronson, and upen the release of Bronson, all field techs will able to utilize Tickex remotely to help with their day to day duties.

Primetime Paradox

One of the criteria for graduating from the University of Wyoming's Computer Science Department is that students develop a senior capstone project that encapsulates all the skills required of the degree. For my senior capstone project, a group of 4 of my peers and I are making a video game called "Primetime Paradox" using the Unity game engine, blender (for 3D Modeling), FL-Studio (for Music and Sound Effects), and the C# programming language. It is a rogue-like rhythm game where the player is dungeon crawling to the beat of the music, fighting enemies, and collecting items along the way.

One aspect of the project is to create a solution to a problem that has persisted in a chosen field. For our project, we decided to focus on rhythm games, and the common trope that levels are designed in a way that lock the player into a certain type of gameplay. We wanted to free the player into a free-roam environment which highly encourages you to perform your actions to the beat of the game. This project has been a great way to learn more about game development, how to work through tough problems, and how to work in a team environment on a complex project.

We are making every aspect of the game, from the 3D models, to the music and sound effects, and even the back-end programming and game mechanics that govern the game. In this project, my job is to act as the lead sound engineer and back-end systems developer. It is my job to make sure the game runs smoothly and efficiently. Since Primetime Paradox is a rhythm game, I had to make the beat detection system from scratch, and make it portable for all aspects of the game (game mechanics, animation, & custom event triggering). Unity as a game engine has been a great way to learn more about game development and back-end systems, and I am excited to see where this project takes us!

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Education & Course Work

Throughout high school and college, I have always held myself to a high standard when it comes to my education. In high school, I graduated at the top of my class with a 4.153 GPA and several honors & awards.

I am currently pursuing my B.S. in Computer Science at the University of Wyoming, with an expected graduation date of May 2026. My coursework has provided me with a strong foundation in Computer Science principles, as well as practical experience in various programming languages and emerging technologies, with my GPA never having dropped below a 3.5. I have also received my certificaton in Audio Technology with a focus in AV stage technical knowledge and music production.

Some of the courses I have taken include Data Structures, Algorithms, Linux Operating Systems, VR/AR Systems, Compiler Systems, Cybersecurity, Database Systems, Mobile Programming, Functional Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Computability and Complexity Theory, and Software Design. Mathematics courses such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics have also been part of my curriculum.

These courses have taught me not only strong technical skills, but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that are essential in modern Computer Science. I am excited to continue my education and further develop my skills as a Software Developer.

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Leadership & Qualifications

In a lot of aspects of my life, I often find myself to be a central figure when it comes to leading groups of people to achieve a common task. In some scenarios, there might not even be any proper leadership role, yet I still find myself taking the initiative in many ways. I have strong social skills, and I am able to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, which leads me to be a natural leader in many situations.

Leadership in Music

Starting from high school and leading up to the present, I was always involved in a vast number of musical ensembles. Concert band, jazz band, pep band, and marching band influenced my music education in high school, and they were a large contributor to my personal growth as a person.

I was often selected for first chair in concert bands (All-State concert band as well). In jazz band, I was the drum set player for three years, and was a major proponent of the rhythm section - helping to keep the band in time and providing a solid foundation which required a lot of confidence. In marching band, I was a Section Leader for my junior year, and then promoted to the band's Head Drum Major for my senior year. This gave me the opportunity to lead rehearsals, conduct in performances, and be the commander between the band directors and the rest of the band members.

At the University of Wyoming, I was involved in the Western Thunder Marching Band as a percussionist for the 2021 & 2022 seasons, and took on the role of Section Leader for the 2022 season. After two seasons being a student member, I was promoted to the staff side - being the Drumline Instructor for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. This role involved planning rehearsals, teaching marching techniques, and being a mentor and role model to the percussion section members. During the off-season, I also offered private drum lessons to members of the percussion section.

This trend in music leadership roles did not stop in school. In the professional marching band world of Drum Corps International (DCI), I have been a member of the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps (2021 & 2022 seasons) and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2023 & 2024 seasons). In the 2022 season and the 2024 seasons, respectively, I was honored to be selected as a Section Leader for both corps - coordinating logistics, leading sectionals, and being a role model for the other members in the drumline.

During the winter, I also participated in Winter Guard International (WGI), where I competed with other indoor drumlines. I was a participant in the Blue Knights Indoor Drumline (2022-2025 seasons), where I was also given the opportunity to be a Section Leader for the 2024 & 2025 seasons. I have also received various awards from this ensemble such as (talk about awards...). Since "aging out" of the activity in 2025, I have been given the opportunity to be a Drumline Instructor for the Blue Knights Indoor Drumline for the 2026 season.

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Music & Audio Technology

Ever since I was a child, I have been involved in music, taking music lessons as young as 5 years old! Piano and percussion were my main focus growing up, and as I got older, music theory became of interest. In high school I've done many different types of percussion performance, from your standard concert percussion, to marching band, and even drum set drumming for a theatrical musical play.

Most notable in my live musician career would be my participation with Drum Corps International (DCI) and Winter Guard International (WGI) where I was able to play at the highest level of competitive percussion performance. In DCI, I marched with the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps (2021 & 2022 seasons) and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2023 & 2024 seasons). For both seasons with Battalion, we competed well enough to make Open Class Finals. In 2023, I was fortunate enough to compete well enough with the Blue Knights to make it into World Class Finals - the top 12 corps in the world. In WGI, I was with the Blue Knights Indoor Percussion Ensemble for the longest (2022-2025 seasons). In 2022, I was fortunate enough to compete well enough with the Blue Knights Percussion to make it into World Class Finals - the top 15 percussion ensembles in the world.

On top of being a live musician and percussionist, I have a considerable amount of music experience in composition with electronic music production, DJing, and live audio technology experience managing and mixing entire stage productions. I have received my Audio Technology Certificate from the University of Wyoming with a focus in music production, live audio technology, and stage logistics.

While at the University of Wyoming, I had the opportunity to work for the Union's Student Technical Services (STS) department, and UWIT's Classroom Technology Services (CTS). STS was an AV technician position, where it was my job to set up, sound check, operate, and tear down entire stage sets with live musicians. My duties at CTS were to go around campus, installing and monitoring room audio and video systems. With both jobs, I had many performances and hundreds of rooms that I have worked where I have run into technical issues I have been able to resolve quickly.