W. Peyton McPhillips

Resume

Computer Science student focused on backend, data, and software systems.

I’m building a technical foundation around Flask, PostgreSQL, API-backed applications, data-driven interfaces, and systems-level projects. My work focuses on building projects that are organized, explainable, and designed to grow over time.

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Education

Academic Background

American University — Washington, D.C.

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Concentration: Software Engineering and Computer Systems
Minor: Mathematics

Santa Fe College — Gainesville, Florida

Associate of Arts

Skills

Technical Skills

Languages

  • Python
  • SQL
  • JavaScript
  • Java
  • C
  • C++

Web & Backend

  • Flask
  • REST APIs
  • Jinja Templates
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Vanilla JS

Data & Databases

  • PostgreSQL
  • SQLite
  • Relational Design
  • Data Modeling
  • Filtering
  • Search

Tools & Concepts

  • Git
  • GitHub
  • OOP
  • API Integration
  • Data Validation
  • Modular Design

Projects

Selected Technical Projects

These projects show backend development, API integration, database design, interactive frontend behavior, and systems-level exploration.

Music Database Explorer

Open project →

Python · Flask · PostgreSQL · SQL · JavaScript · HTML/CSS

  • Designed a relational database for albums, artists, genres, subgenres, countries, scenes, and stylistic metadata.
  • Built Flask API routes and templates to support searchable and filterable music discovery.
  • Implemented pagination, sorting, filtering, random album discovery, and detail pages.
  • Connected backend data structures to a user-facing exploratory interface.

NASA Data Analysis Tool

Open project →

Python · Flask · NASA API · JavaScript · JSON · Data Analysis

  • Built a Flask-backed dashboard using NASA near-Earth object API data.
  • Cleaned and summarized raw asteroid records into readable user-facing results.
  • Added summary cards, hazardous-object counts, closest approach data, fastest object ranking, and pagination.
  • Handled external API requests, date inputs, response parsing, and frontend rendering.

Portfolio Website

Open project →

Python · Flask · Jinja · HTML/CSS · JavaScript · PostgreSQL

  • Built a Flask-based project hub with reusable templates, shared styling, and dedicated project pages.
  • Organized project overview modals, API-backed tools, and case-study pages into one cohesive site.
  • Used page-specific JavaScript and consistent route structure to make the site easier to maintain and expand.

HawkVM

Open project →

C · Parsing · Interpreter Design · Virtual Machine Concepts

  • Built a small educational programming language and virtual machine in C.
  • Implemented language features including tokenization, parsing, print statements, arithmetic, variables, and conditionals.
  • Practiced systems-level thinking through lexer/parser organization, expression evaluation, and runtime error handling.

Weather App

Open project →

Python · Flask · JavaScript · OpenWeather API · HTML/CSS

  • Built a location-based weather lookup tool with a Flask backend and JavaScript frontend.
  • Implemented location autocomplete, current weather display, input validation, and user-facing error handling.
  • Separated the app into its own project page while keeping API requests routed through Flask.

Space Shooter Game

Open project →

Python · Pygame · OOP · Game Loops · Collision Detection

  • Built an arcade-style game using Pygame with real-time player input and object movement.
  • Implemented projectiles, enemy behavior, collision detection, score tracking, lives, pause state, and game-over state.
  • Practiced state management and object-oriented design in an interactive system.

Certifications

Professional Learning

  • Microsoft — Python Developer Python programming, automation, data processing, backend development
  • Google — Cybersecurity Professional Security fundamentals, threat detection, Linux, Python scripting, SOC workflows
  • Microsoft — SQL Server & Database Development Relational design, SQL querying, optimization, and data modeling
  • Microsoft — Back-End Developer Backend architecture, APIs, database integration, and deployment concepts

Coursework

Relevant Coursework

Computer Science

  • Computer Systems Organization
  • Computer Science II
  • Computer Science I
  • Foundations of Computing
  • Object-Oriented Programming
  • Systems Programming
  • Design and Organization of Programming Languages

Mathematics & Data

  • Linear Algebra
  • Calculus I–III
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Probability
  • Numerical Computing
  • Data Mining and Machine Learning for Natural Sciences