My Portfolio

Hi 👋, I'm Joseph J Helfenbein

🎓 Computer Science & Physics Student @ CCNY


Computer Science & Physics student working on graphics and systems programming in C++ and Vulkan. Building rendering engines from scratch with custom memory allocators, collision systems, and real-time simulation. Also working on CUDA kernel optimization and distributed systems. Previously built real-time esports infrastructure at EA. Interested in performance optimization and how hardware architecture influences software design.

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Work Experience

Software Engineer Intern

Electronic Arts (EA)
June 2025 - September 2025
  • Built Node.js voice platform for 400+ concurrent Apex Legends tournament users with sub-50ms latency using WebRTC/SFU media routing, WebSocket signaling, and multi-tier state management
  • Engineered C++/DirectX overlay hooked into Windows compositor to display real-time voice indicators and announcements with <1ms frame overhead and WebSocket synchronization
  • Automated tournament moderation via game events for real-time muting and channel routing
  • Software Engineer Intern

    AuriStor, Inc.
    March 2025 - May 2025
  • Automated AuriStorFS distributed filesystem cluster provisioning with Ansible (75% faster than manual setup) and built Go Prometheus exporter for filesystem observability metrics
  • Implemented Kerberos-authenticated API endpoints with ACL permission controls for volume/file operations
  • Graphics Projects

    GustGrid-Vulkan

    June 2025 - August 2025

    GitHub

    A real-time visualization tool of PC airflow and thermal dynamics re-engineered with C++ and Vulkan. This Vulkan port replaces the original OpenGL renderer and translates all CUDA kernels into Vulkan compute shaders, running cross-platform on macOS (via MoltenVK), Linux, and Windows across NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Apple Silicon GPUs.

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    GustGrid

    June 2025

    GitHub

    A real-time visualization tool of PC airflow and thermal dynamics built in C++, OpenGL, and NVIDIA CUDA. It accurately models heat dissipation, fan performance, and airflow patterns within complex computer chassis geometries, and has a graphical interface to adjust component layouts, enabling rapid design iterations.

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    Material Viewer

    September 2024 - November 2024

    GitHub

    A 3D desktop application for previewing PBR materials using OpenGL and C++. It features HDRI environments, image-based lighting, and PBR shading. Users can upload individual image textures, custom .mat files, or .zip files for material previewing, and save viewed materials in a custom .mat format for easy sharing.

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    Physics Sandbox

    June 2024 - July 2024

    GitHub
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    Link

    A rigid body physics engine with simulated cubes and spheres. It has real-time raytraced shadows and a Blinn-Phong shader using WebGL.

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    Hackathon Projects

    CUNY One Fraud Agent

    HackKnight Spring 2025 submission
    First Place 🎉
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    CUNY One Fraud Agent is an AI-powered fraud detection system that monitors credit card transactions in real-time. When a suspicious transaction is detected, an AI agent calls the user. The agent can list suspicious charges and respond to user commands, allowing them to approve transactions, freeze their card, or request a live representative.

    Focura

    DragonHacks 2025 submission
    Best AI Implementation 🎉
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    A camera-powered posture and focus assistant that calibrates your optimal sitting position, monitors for slouching or phone distractions using a LangGraph workflow, and delivers real-time nudges to keep you upright and on task.

    Rezon

    HackKnight Fall 2025 submission
    Second Place 🎉
    GitHub
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    Devpost

    Rezon is a real-time trading assistant that interprets your on-screen actions and responds with adaptive insights powered by a local Qwen2 model. It turns your trading behavior into meaningful feedback, helping you stay aware of emotional or impulsive decisions and refine your overall strategy.

    Zen Agent

    CTP Hacks 2025 submission
    Best AI/ML Hack 🎉
    GitHub
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    Devpost

    Zen Agent is an AI-powered agent that detects stress and mindfulness from facial cues and provides real-time emotional support. It leverages a trained machine-learning model to visually analyze facial indicators and deliver tailored stress-reduction assistance.

    Guardian Angel

    HackNYU 2025 submission
    2nd Place for Lifestyle & Health 🎉
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    Guardian Angel continuously monitors the driver’s face using computer vision to detect signs of distraction or drowsiness. If the driver looks at their phone or closes their eyes for too long, the system sends an alert to help them refocus on the road.

    MendPath

    DivHacks 2024 submission
    GitHub
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    Link
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    DoraHacks

    MendPath combines therapy, technology, and social connection in a way that fosters empathy, accountability, and mental health progress for users, filling a crucial gap in both personal well-being and community support.

    Aura

    HackPrinceton Fall 2025 submission
    GitHub
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    Devpost

    AURA is a real-time wearable system that prevents injuries by using haptic feedback and adaptive motion intelligence to correct your form before small errors accumulate into long-term damage.

    Cerebrix

    HackRU 2024 submission
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    Cerebrix is an adaptive app for dementia and Alzheimer's care, offering engaging minigames to boost memory and cognition. It features a voice AI companion for social support, while caretakers can manage accounts and track cognitive progress.

    Chama

    HackPrinceton Fall 2024 submission
    Winner for Best Use of Onchainkit 🎉
    GitHub
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    Link
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    DoraHacks

    Chama empowers everyone to understand crypto by providing real-time insights, sentiment analysis, and personalized explanations. We make complex trends accessible, enabling informed decisions and bridging the crypto literacy gap for all.

    BlazeGuard

    HenHacks 2025 submission
    GitHub
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    Devpost

    BlazeGuard is a voice-powered medical assistant that helps users access their stored medical information and provides real-time emergency guidance. Users can talk to the AI agent, which retrieves medical details by name and delivers emergency response instructions using RAG.

    PatSafe

    Hoya Hacks 2025 submission
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    PatSafe is a platform that connects discharged patients with doctors for better post-care monitoring. It enables real-time recovery tracking, symptom reporting, and medication adherence updates via a seamless doctor dashboard and an AI-powered chatbot for patient support.

    HelpSignal

    HackHarvard 2024 submission
    GitHub
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    Devpost

    An emergency app using voice input to assess situations, alert nearby certified helpers (CPR, first aid), and notify first responders—providing immediate assistance before official help arrives.

    GameRecommend AI

    United Hacks V3 submission
    Winner for Best Solo Hack 🎉
    GitHub
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    Link
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    Devpost

    Utilizes AI to find similar games to any game you like. All you need to do is enter in a game you like, press the button, and the AI will return 5 games it thinks you will like, along with reasons why.

    Made by Joseph J Helfenbein. See GitHub repository here.