The man, the myth, the legend
My name is Zachary Pataky, and I'm a Full-Stack Developer at Merchants Insurance Group. In my role, I develop and maintain internal web applications that support business operations and improve user workflows.
I enjoy building reliable, user-focused software and continuously expanding my technical expertise. I'm particularly interested in learning new technologies, improving development practices, and finding effective solutions to complex problems.
Outside of software development, I enjoy playing video games, watching movies in theaters, reading in silence, and suffocating with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. These interests help me stay curious, disciplined, and engaged both professionally and personally.
Thank you for visiting my website. Feel free to explore my projects and experience, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Academic achievement and involvement
Canisius College
|
Computer Science BS
Degree Information
Activities Honors and Awards Course Highlights Major Projects
A social club that unites members of Canisius College through the mutual enjoyment of multiplayer gaming experiences, including but not limited to video, board, card, and tabletop games.
Weekly meetings involved students congregating together playing games spanning numerous consoles and tables.
A social and educational club that intends to unite those not only interested in the field of computers, but are also concerned as to where computers stand in our present and future societies.
Common events include guest speakers, resume and technical workshops, and more.
This organization facilitates the transition of incoming undergraduate students and their family members to Canisius College by introducing them to the Jesuit values of leadership, inclusion, and social justice by providing shared experiences and information to set the tone for academic success, personal growth, and meaningful connections.
Awarded to students who have attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and have completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.
Awarded to students who have attained a grade point average of 4.00 for the semester and have completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.
Presented to graduating computer science majors who have achieved an outstanding academic performance.
- Data Structures
- Computer Hardware
- Discrete Mathematics
- Automata and Algorithms
- Software Engineering
- Operating System Design and Distributed Computing
- Intelligent Systems
- Comparative Programming Languages
- Information Organization and Processing
- The Social Impact of Computing
- Intro to Web Development
- Cybersecurity Principles
Click here to read the Computer Science course catalog!
- Intro to Army and Critical Thinking
- Foundations of Leadership
- Introduction to Management
- Ethics
- Philosophy of Law
- Cyber Policies, Ethics, and Law
Created a distributed information processing and querying system capable of handling large quantities of data by leveraging the MPI library.
Developed in C++.
Operated as Project Manager and programmer for a semester-long project creating a video game.
Developed in Java using the LibGDX library.
Produced a personal resume website as the capstone project of my Web Development class.
Developed in HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP.
Roles, responsibilities, and results
Responsibilities
- Optimized our CLARA Analytics document submission procedure, expanding our submission pool for the Claims team and bypassing ImageRight API vulnerabilities
- Refactored the Conditional Renewal Notice automation system to leverage modern .NET technologies, improving maintainability and scalability while generalizing the underlying WINS data queue to support additional document types
- Upgraded legacy applications to the latest versions of .NET and Angular
- Continued mentoring summer interns, and helping junior developers acclimate to their new roles
Responsibilities
- Automated a form migration process (DOT → PDF) using .NET Core, Python, and Foxit PDF SDK for Windows to obtain state compliance, sparing the company from legal fines and months of labor
- Created an application that automates the submission of legal matter data to the Legal-X platform via SOAP APIs, saving the company costs in manual submission and technology subscription fees
- Engineered an application using .NET Framework/Core Web APIs, Ocelot API Gateway, and RabbitMQ to automate insurance policy data submissions, using a SAGA Orchestration microservice architecture
- Designed an internal portal for developers to view API health check statuses and application logs
- Developed and maintained several other company-wide portals using .NET Web APIs, Angular UIs, Microsoft SQL Server, and other (when necessary) tools
- Authored comprehensive documentation (architectural diagrams, sequence diagrams, API manuals, user manuals, etc.) and testing protocols across applications
- Collaborated closely in a team environment, conducting code reviews, engaging in peer development, leading offshore development teams, and mentoring summer interns
- Volunteered on behalf of my company to participate in the 2024 and 2025 Tech Buffalo Community Tech Design Challenges
Responsibilities
- Participated as an active component of an Agile development team, often collaborating with other developers
- Debugged current and legacy software, sometimes on client-specific copies of the application
- Contributed to the development of an upcoming web-based product using the Angular / Spring Boot stack
- Instrumental in designing and implementing a new UI scheme in our MarkMagic Lite application
Responsibilities
- Assisted students with understanding class materials in face-to-face and online mediums
- Managed the Computer Science department’s tutoring program by creating the tutoring schedule and operating as a source of support and assistance for emerging issues
- Represented the Computer Science department as a student panelist
-
Cybersecurity Principles (CYB 500) | Spring 2022
- Supported laboratory sessions with class-wide and one-on-one assistance
- Directed the class through laboratory assignments, including the Social Engineering Toolkit, Steganography, Password Cracking, Wireshark, and Heartbleed Attack projects.
-
Information Organization and Processing (CSC 310) | Spring 2022
- Managed a group of three students in a semester-long MySQL database project as their Project Lead
-
Distributed Computing and Operating System Design (CSC 330) | Fall 2021
- Created and graded class materials, such as the first exam, homework assignments, and lecture material
- Designed lectures and presented on Java, Object-Oriented Programming, and Data Structures
- Automata and Algorithms (CSC 281) | Spring 2021
Responsibilities
- Created and executed automated tests for the DisasterLAN program using Robot Framework
- Modified existing documents in Microsoft Word to conform to and meet ISO requirements
- Wrote technical documentation for an in-house browser extension tool
- Developed a tool in Robot Framework to generalize our testing object library
Responsibilities
- Served as a leader of academic and campus information for incoming first-year students and orientation leaders
- Conducted meetings and presentations for transfer students and Computer Science major students
- Created content weekly for the New Student Orientation Instagram account
- Composed sections for the Orientation Leader Manual, including a guide on how to operate classroom computer equipment, NSO contact sheets, and campus resources
- Directed two New Student Orientation videos, including a welcome video for the organization’s Instagram page and a tutorial video for online resources
- Designed and executed a campus scavenger hunt that operated beyond expectations
- Assisted a local party event company in cleaning up the campus
Responsibilities
- Assisted New Griff Orientation in welcoming Canisius College’s class of 2023
- Collaborated with a partner to direct a student group through social and learning opportunities direct a 30 person group through social and learning opportunities
Responsibilities
- Processed cash and credit transactions, tendering correct change to patrons
- Stocked shelves and ice bins, calculated returnable containers, and tapped kegs to the satisfaction of customers and at the standards set by Consumer’s Beverages
- Resolved customer concerns positively and professionally to ensure recurring business
- Maintained a clean environment for patrons and fellow employees
