Hi, I'm Zara!

Computer Science and Biology Student

I am an incoming third-year student at Northeastern University, where I study computer science and biology. I am currently training to become a full-stack developer. In addition to my coursework, I am currently learning React and Python to enhance my development skills further and broaden my toolkit.

In my free time, I LOVE to travel and cannot wait for my next adventure!

Profile picture

About Me

I was born and raised in Massachusetts, with strong Croatian roots that have shaped both my identity and outlook. From a young age, I’ve been drawn to math and science, curious about how things work, and passionate about solving complex problems. I completed the International Baccalaureate program in high school, spending time in both Boston and Zagreb, which gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I’m especially interested in back-end development and the impacts of artificial intelligence, where I can combine technical precision with creativity to build thoughtful, impactful systems.

I am excited to share that starting in August, I will be in Barcelona working at Nearby Computing for my first co-op!

Experience

Software Engineering Intern
Nearby Computing
August 2025 - December 2025
At Nearby Computing, I am developing a standalone AI Agent GUI (AG-UI) designed to integrate with the NearbyOne platform. I work with AI engineers to build a modern web interface using React and TypeScript that enables real-time monitoring and control of AI agents. I focus on implementing human-in-the-loop features that allow users to pause agent workflows, inspect and modify orchestration plans, and seamlessly transition between automated and manual control. I also integrate WebSocket-based communication for live agent updates and ensure the interface aligns with the platform’s visual standards. Through this role, I continue to strengthen my skills in frontend development, API integration, and collaborative engineering within a cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
JavaScript Go
Front Desk
HC Studio Inc
May 2024 - July 2025
As a front desk assistant at HC Studio, I managed daily client-facing operations, ensuring a welcoming and efficient experience from check-in to service delivery. My responsibilities included scheduling appointments, handling inquiries across multiple communication channels, and maintaining accurate client records. This role strengthened my multitasking abilities, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills while giving me insight into the importance of customer experience in service-oriented environments. I also contributed to the smooth coordination of team activities and studio events, helping foster a supportive and organized workplace.
Customer Service
Research Internship
Massachusetts General Hospital
July 2022 - August 2022
Conducted research on enzymes regulating hormone homeostasis, including lab work with cell cultures, mice, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Contributed to insights on vitamin D's effect on FGF23 through the suppression of furin expression. Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team on experimental design, technical execution, and manuscript preparation, strengthening skills in scientific communication and teamwork.
PCR Cell Cultures Labratory Techniques Academic Writing Gel Electrophoresis

Featured Projects

Three Trios Card Game

I implemented a turn-based strategy game in Java where two players place cards on a grid, each card having directional attack values. I designed the game model to enforce rules around card placement, turn order, and battles based on card stats. I handled loading custom board and card configurations from files, added logic for determining the game’s winner, and developed a graphical interface using Java Swing to visualize the gameplay.

Java Swing

Map Your Degree

As part of a team of four, I built a fully functional website in under 36 hours at Hackbeanpot 2025 to help students visualize and plan their academic journey. The project aimed to simplify Northeastern University’s confusing degree audit system by offering an intuitive, customizable interface for tracking graduation progress. I developed a robust backend by dynamically scraping data for all 329 majors using Python and storing it in a structured SQL database. I ensured consistency across irregular and inconsistent university pages, and contributed to the frontend by helping design and implement a user-friendly interface using Streamlit that clearly presented degree requirements and progress.

Python SQL Java Streamlit

Travel Tracker

Together with a partner, I built a full-stack application that allows users to plan, log, and view travel itineraries, supporting both past memories and future trip planning. I led the backend development using MySQL, designing a relational schema optimized for destinations, trip metadata, and user-generated notes. On the frontend, I created a responsive and intuitive graphical interface using Java and Swing, implementing seamless Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) operations. The application includes input validation, dynamic trip previews, and search functionality to enhance the overall user experience.

SQL Java Swing

Get In Touch

I'm always interested in hearing about new opportunities and interesting projects. Whether you're a company looking to hire, or you just want to say hello, I'd love to hear from you!

Say Hello