Profile
Technically driven problem solver and emerging software developer with a multidisciplinary background spanning open source development, entrepreneurial ventures, and large-scale commercial operations. Currently studying Software Development at George Brown Polytechnic while applying hands-on experience with Python, Java, AI-assisted development, and version control to real-world projects. Recognised at the George Brown Hackathon (Top 10) and a graduate of the Innovation Beyond Borders startup bootcamp. Brings rare operational depth — including 7+ years managing 2+ acres of commercial agricultural production — translating systems thinking, resource optimisation, and entrepreneurial grit directly into software and product development contexts. Driven by the intersection of technology, automation, and sustainable impact.
Achievements & Recognition
George Brown Polytechnic Hackathon
Top 10 Finalist
Toronto, ON
Competitive Technology Challenge
- Ranked in the top 10 among competing teams at George Brown's annual hackathon event
- Developed and pitched a functional technology solution within a time-constrained environment
- Demonstrated rapid prototyping ability, team collaboration, and applied technical problem solving under pressure
- Presented solution to a panel of industry judges, receiving recognition for innovation and execution
Innovation Beyond Borders
Graduate
Toronto, ON
Startup Bootcamp & Entrepreneurship Programme
- Completed an intensive startup bootcamp focused on entrepreneurship, product development, and go-to-market strategy
- Developed a business concept from ideation to pitch, applying lean startup methodology and design thinking principles
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams across disciplines including technology, business, and design
- Gained exposure to venture capital frameworks, customer discovery, and early-stage product validation techniques
Technical Projects
Wreck4Less — Private Dispatch Platform
View Project
Jetpack Compose · FastAPI · PostgreSQL · OSMDroid
- Built a full-stack private dispatch and field operations platform for towing crews, combining a mobile Android client with a Python backend API
- Implemented role-based access control with secure authentication flows separating dispatcher and field operator experiences
- Integrated live GPS tracking and real-time map context using OSMDroid, enabling dispatchers to assign and monitor jobs with location awareness
- Built job status management with in-app payment tracking, ensuring clean handoff between dispatcher dashboards and mobile field crews
- Designed a mobile-first dark UI in Jetpack Compose with high-contrast layouts optimised for fast decision making in operational environments
- FastAPI backend manages authenticated API calls, job lifecycle state, and operator data persistence via PostgreSQL
OzarkLMS — Learning Management System
View Project
ASP.NET Core MVC · .NET 9 · PostgreSQL · SignalR · Tailwind CSS
- Developed a full-featured campus learning management system with distinct role-aware interfaces for students, instructors, and administrators
- Built course creation, enrolment, assignment submission, quiz management, and grading workflows within a single unified application
- Implemented real-time collaboration features — live messaging, group activity, and notification streams — using SignalR WebSockets on .NET 9
- Designed a dashboard-first interface with course cards, sticky notes, assignment calendars, and notification controls using Tailwind CSS
- Integrated document export tooling with QuestPDF, PdfSharp, and OpenXML for PDF and Word-format output of academic records
- Entity Framework Core handles data access against a PostgreSQL database with migrations, relationships, and role-scoped queries
FreeTrade — Automated FX Trading Command Center
View Project
FastAPI · React · OANDA API · Python
- Built a full-stack automated FX trading platform with a FastAPI backend consuming the OANDA brokerage API and a React dashboard frontend
- Dashboard surfaces live account telemetry: real-time balance, margin utilisation, daily P&L, and recent execution flow in a single always-on monitoring view
- Implemented authenticated bot controls allowing the operator to start and stop the automated trading engine directly from the UI
- Backend architecture designed for always-on local operation with clean environment variable config for API credentials and AI provider integration
- Applied finance domain knowledge (P&L, margin, FX execution) directly to system design — an intersection of the BBA Finance background and software development
Event & Ticketing Management System
View Project
RBAC · OAuth · Event Management · Mobile UI
- Designed and built an event management platform handling event discovery, scheduling, ticketing, and attendee flows from a unified organiser dashboard
- Implemented role-based access control (RBAC) and OAuth authentication separating organiser and attendee experiences
- Organiser dashboard tracks real-time ticket inventory, live attendance counts, VIP tier releases, and post-event sales reporting
- Mobile attendee view enables streamlined ticket booking, seat reservation, and event discovery in a clean app-style interface
- Designed with alert and notification tooling for tier sell-out events and check-in status updates
Personal Portfolio Website
johnsebastianlaquis.me
HTML · CSS · JavaScript · UI/UX
- Designed and built a fully responsive portfolio site from scratch — no framework, pure HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Features dark/light theme toggle, scroll-triggered animations, glassmorphism surfaces, sticky navigation, and a print-optimised CV page
- Individual project detail pages for each application with screenshots, stack breakdowns, and repository links
- Deployed publicly and maintained via GitHub with iterative version-controlled improvements
COMP2152 Open Source Development — Lab Portfolio
GitHub
Python · Algorithms · Networking · Security
- 14-week Python lab portfolio covering data structures, algorithms, OOP, file I/O, networking, and web security
- Built an HTTP Security Header Checker auditing live URLs for clickjacking, MIME sniffing, XSS, and HTTPS enforcement vulnerabilities
- Implemented Dijkstra's shortest-path algorithm and binary search from scratch in Python
- Managed full version control lifecycle via Git and GitHub: feature branches, merges, pull requests, and remote deployment
AI Integration & Local LLM Development
Personal Projects
Ollama · Docker · Claude API · Prompt Engineering
- Deployed and configured local large language models via Ollama and Docker for private, offline AI-assisted development environments
- Integrated the Claude API into project workflows, exploring agentic tool use, structured outputs, and automated code assistance pipelines
- Researching applied AI applications across fintech automation, agri-tech tooling, and developer productivity
Professional Experience
Commercial Agricultural Producer
Trinidad
Owner-Operator · Production & Operations Management
- Independently operated and scaled a commercial agricultural production operation exceeding 2 acres of active cultivation
- Managed end-to-end production lifecycle: planning, resource allocation, yield optimisation, quality control, and distribution
- Applied data-driven decision making to optimise growing cycles, resource consumption, and output metrics across seasons
- Built operational systems and workflows that improved efficiency, reduced waste, and maintained consistent production targets
- Developed supplier and client relationships, managed inventory, and handled procurement negotiations independently
- Gained deep experience in systems thinking, environmental variable management, and long-horizon planning
2+ acProduction Area
7+Years Operating
100%Owner-Operated
Future Foods
Trinidad
Operations & Workflow Execution
- Operated in a fast-paced environment requiring structured task execution, speed, and time efficiency
- Handled repetitive high-throughput workflows requiring accuracy and consistency under pressure
- Developed reliability in operational systems and customer-facing processes
Northwest Maritime
Trinidad
Field Operations Support
- Supported structured field operations in safety-critical and physically demanding environments
- Followed procedural workflows and maintained operational discipline under supervision
- Experience working in high-compliance systems requiring precision, reliability, and accountability
Education
George Brown Polytechnic
Diploma — Computer Programming & Analysis (COMP2152 / Open Source Development)
- Core coursework: Python, Java, OOP, data structures, algorithms, networking, security, open source development
- Practical lab-based programme with weekly coding assignments covering 14+ topic areas
- Active participant in extracurricular hackathon and startup bootcamp programming
University of New Brunswick (UNB)
Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance
- Four-year undergraduate degree with specialisation in Finance and Business Administration
- Coursework covering corporate finance, financial statement analysis, balance sheet management, and capital markets
- Studied company valuation methodologies including DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions
- Developed strong quantitative and analytical foundations applied to investment analysis, budgeting, and financial modelling
- Exposure to managerial accounting, economics, marketing strategy, and organisational behaviour
Technical Skills
Languages
Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Bash, Kotlin
Frontend
React, Angular, Tailwind CSS, Jetpack Compose, responsive design, dark/light theming, CSS animations
Backend & APIs
FastAPI, ASP.NET Core MVC (.NET 9), Node.js, REST API design, SignalR (WebSockets), Entity Framework Core
Databases
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Entity Framework migrations, query design
Mobile
Android development (Jetpack Compose), OSMDroid / GPS integration, mobile-first UI design
Cloud & DevOps
Docker, Azure, AWS, GitHub Actions, Git (branching, PRs, merges), Jira, CI/CD fundamentals
Auth & Security
RBAC, OAuth, JWT authentication, HTTP security headers, secure API design
AI & Automation
Claude API, Ollama (local LLM deployment), Docker-based AI environments, prompt engineering, agentic workflows
CS Fundamentals
OOP, algorithms (Dijkstra, binary search), data structures, networking, HTTP protocols, algorithmic thinking
Finance & Business
Balance sheet management, company valuation (DCF, comps, precedent transactions), financial modelling, P&L analysis, capital markets, budgeting & forecasting, corporate finance, investment analysis
Soft Skills
Systems thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, independent operation, fast learner, cross-functional collaboration
Productivity
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, project documentation, technical writing
Certifications & Continuing Development
Cisco Networking Academy — Introduction to Cybersecurity
Credly Verified Badge
LinkedIn Learning — Learning the JavaScript Language
LinkedIn Learning — Foundations of Algorithmic Thinking with Python
LinkedIn Learning — Agile Development in the New World of Work
LinkedIn Learning — Programming Foundations: Version Control with Git
Interests & Areas of Focus
Particularly interested in roles and projects at the intersection of software development, AI integration, and real-world systems. Open to co-op placements, junior developer roles, and open source contributions where practical problem solving and continuous learning are valued.