Alex Brown (@SoftlySplinter)
Publications
Can we date an artist's work from catalogue photographs?
Using image processing techniques, such as colour-space analysis, image filtering, and other digital image analysis tools to predict the date a piece of artwork was produced using k-nearest neighbour (kNN) classification and leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) to rank how successful each technique was. Contrasted with exemplars picked by a domain expert. All to answer the question, "Can we date an artist's work from catalogue photographs?".
2013 8th International Symposium on Image and Signal Processing and Analysis (ISPA), Trieste, Italy
2013
Python, OpenCV2, LaTeX
Open source
OpenTelemetry Java
Reported and fixed an issue where the JdkHttpSender class was creating non-daemon threads,
which could prevent the clean exit of the Java virtual machine (JVM), and fixed a GitHub build actions.
Java, GitHub Actions, OpenTelemetry
CICSdev
Created, maintained, and improved code samples for CICS Java functions, ranging from OSGi, Liberty web-applications, CICS event processing and more.
CICS TS for z/OS, Java, GitHub Actions, Java/Jakarta EE, OSGi, SpringBoot
Work
IBM
Advisory Software Engineer
Leading technical initiatives for CICS Transaction Server's Java runtime and observability capabilities. Architecting OpenTelemetry instrumentation for z/OS applications and driving platform modernization efforts.
May 2022 → Current
- Java
- C
- z/OS high-level Assembly (HLASM)
- Python
- PL/x
- OSGi
- Java EE
- Jakarta EE
- CICS TS for z/OS
- WebSphere Liberty
- OpenTelemetry
Software Engineer
Enhanced CICS Liberty integration by improving bundle processing to synchronize with Liberty application state and enabling CDI bean linking in Liberty JVM servers. Strengthened native error handling for JVM servers.
Architected and implemented critical SPIs including EXEC CICS PERFORM JVMSERVER, EXEC CICS INQUIRE JVMENDPOINT, and EXEC CICS SET JVMENDPOINT, expanding platform capabilities.
Extended @CICSProgram annotation support to OSGi programs and delivered Liberty fixpack update APARs, ensuring customers received timely security and stability improvements.
August 2018 → May 2022
- Java
- C
- z/OS high-level Assembly (HLASM)
- PL/x
- OSGi
- Java/Jakarta EE
- CICS TS for z/OS
- Watson Machine Learning for z/OS (WMLz)
- WebSphere Liberty
Associate Software Engineer
Validated the integration of Java EE 7 features with CICS TS for z/OS, with particular focus on security, threading, and JCICS APIs including EJB Lite 3.2, Concurrency utilities, EJB 3.2 (Remote, Persistent Timers), and JCA 1.7 inbound security.
Created comprehensive Open Beta educational materials for CICS TS 5.4 Java capabilities, enabling early adopters to successfully evaluate and adopt new features.
Executed rigorous testing of APAR fixes, ensuring quality and stability of customer-facing releases
November 2015 → August 2018
Java, Java EE, CICS TS for z/OS, WebSphere Liberty
Graduate Software Engineer
Conducted comprehensive functional testing of CICS Liberty JVM server Java EE features, including Contexts and Dependency Injection (CDI) and Managed Beans, ensuring enterprise-grade quality.
Led functional and system testing of APAR PI25503 (z/OS Connect support for CICS Liberty JVM servers), employing risk-based testing strategies to maximize coverage of critical functionality.
Resolved defects in JVM server and Liberty JVM server components, improving product stability and customer experience
July 2014 → November 2015
Java, Java EE, CICS TS for z/OS, WebSphere Liberty
Aberystwyth University
Advisor
Provided technical mentorship through drop-in support sessions, helping students debug code, resolve software installation issues, and deepen their understanding of computer science concepts.
Assessed student work in practical sessions for "Introduction to Computer Operating Systems, Hardware and UNIX Tools" and "Concepts in Programming" modules, covering UNIX command-line environments, Java, and Haskell development.
September 2013 → June 2014
Demonstrator
Facilitated STEM outreach event teaching Linux shell commands to Year 9 students, promoting computer science education.
February 2014 → February 2014
Demonstrator
Assessed student work in "Introduction to Databases" practical sessions, covering Microsoft Access, Entity Relationship diagrams, and fundamental database concepts.
October 2012 → January 2014
Aberystwyth Technocamps
Demonstrator
Mentored students aged 11-19 in building autonomous robots and developing Android applications as part of the Technocamps STEM education initiative.
October 2012 → January 2014
IBM
Undergraduate Software Engineer
Designed and developed productivity tools for the CICS Level 3 Service team, including an Eclipse plug-in for code review automation and a comprehensive patch delivery system that integrated with multiple internal platforms, significantly reducing manual effort and deployment time.
Collaborated with stakeholders across Level 3 Service teams to gather requirements and ensure seamless integration of new tooling without disrupting existing workflows.
Maintained and enhanced problem report statistics systems, including a Java Enterprise server and DB2 database on CentOS Linux, providing critical insights for service improvement.
Led a team of three IBM employees delivering Java programming workshops to students aged 13-15 at Swanmore School of Technology, fostering early interest in software development.
Delivered internal Java training sessions for CICS Level 3 Service team members and Industrial Trainees, mentored by a former University of Southampton lecturer to ensure high-quality educational content.
Coordinated induction programs for 2012-13 Industrial Trainee intake, managing logistics, equipment provisioning, and executive presentations across three induction sessions.
Contributed to SmartCursor/SmartMouse research project, implementing Hidden Markov Models for gesture recognition and developing 3D visualization components.
June 2011 → July 2012
Education
Master of Engineering (MEng) Software Engineering
Combined Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) degree in software engineering, with focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development methodologies, networking, and systems administration.
Aberystwyth University