Katrina Hi'ilani Turner

I am studying for a M.S. in Computer Science in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
I expect to graduate in May 2021.
Data Visualization
Data Science
Game Design
Software Engineering
Virtual/Augmented Reality

Background

Born and raised in Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i, I received an Bachelors of Education in Secondary Ed: Mathematics from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and taught high school math around Oahu, most recently at my Alma Mater, Castle High School. Teaching was an invaluable experience and provided me with the opportunity to give back to my community, but after 7 years I yearned for a career change. I decided to combine my passions for puzzles, logic & creativity and return to school to pursue a Master's degree in Computer Science.
I am currently employed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Laboratory for Advanced Visualization & Applications (LAVA) under the direction of Dr. Jason Leigh as a Research Assistant. My responsibilities include creating new ways to visualize Internet2 Network flow data for the NetSage Project. This has helped me develop my skills and passion for software development and visualization. During my time at LAVA I have also been fortunate enough to work with some of the best VR and AR technology, which spawned my interest in that field as well.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy playing video games, baking, spending time with my family, dancing hula, and enjoying island life.
After graduation, I hope to remain in Hawai'i and find a job either locally or remotely where I can enhance my skills and make an impact in the industry.

News

New Game Prototype!

(February 2021)
I just posted a new project on my projects page! Its a game I created for my Game Design class this semester. Go check it out and download the executable to play it yourself!

Global Game Jam 2021

(January 2021)
In January I participated in my first global game jam, which was held ONLINE this year! Our team met over discord and used used Unity Teams to work together virtually to make our game. The theme this year was Lost and Found and the game we made was titled Lost and Found... in Space! Our team was made up of two coders, an artist and an artist/coder. I had a really great time and we managed to put out a playable game! See the project page for more information!

Published!

(November 2020)
A paper I authored for NetSage was published in the INDIS workshop at Super Computing 2020! I participated in the workshop as a presenter. This was my first publication and first time presenting at a conference. It was unfortunately only online due to COVID, but still a great experience! The paper is published by IEEE in 2020 IEEE/ACM Innovating the Network for Data-Intensive Science (INDIS). See more about the paper here.