In December 2024, we interviewed Greg, an accomplished engineer who joined Early Reflections in November 2024.

With a background that spans NASA internships, a Ph.D. from Tokyo Tech, and years of VR and computational research, Greg brings exceptional expertise to our team.

Beyond work, his passion for technology extends to hobbies such as building drones. In this interview, we explore his journey, motivations, and goals at Early Reflections.

What did you major in the university?

I studied Computer Science and Japanese at John Carroll University in the United States.

You had a double major. What made you choose to study Japanese?

Carroll is a liberal arts college, so I had the opportunity to study a foreign language. Among the options, I chose Japanese because I found Japan incredibly fascinating.

Japan is a safe and highly modern country with a very different culture from the U.S.

I was drawn to this contrast, and during my studies, I also had the chance to study abroad at Nanzan University in Japan.

What did you study at Nanzan University?

What did you study at Nanzan University?

Then, I learned about the Ministry of Education's scholarship program and decided to return to Japan to pursue a master’s degree.

I thought studying in Japan would be more exciting than attending graduate school in the U.S. because it offers me not only a degree but also completely new experiences.

Before returning to Japan, you interned at NASA as a university student, right? Could you tell us about your experience there?

I worked in the High-Performance Computing division at NASA’s Center for Climate Simulation.

While the center specialized in climate research, my team collaborated frequently with other divisions, which allowed me to work with the Earth Science department as well.

I was particularly involved in improving the speed of supercomputing processes to help simulate stellar magnetic fields.

This work has potential applications in predicting solar weather, which significantly affects Earth's climate.

That’s an incredible experience. After graduating from university, you returned to Japan, correct?

Yes, I pursued graduate studies at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) in the Department of Computer Science.

I was part of a bioinformatics lab, where I focused on creating interactive microtubule simulations. The interactive aspect was a key feature from my view, as it enabled us to verify results quickly and intuitively, much like the immersive and engaging experience of playing video games.

Eventually, I moved on to working on VR-based simulations, researching ways to make simulations interactive within VR environments.

After earning your master's and Ph.D. at Tokyo Tech, what did you do before joining Early Reflections?

After graduating from Tokyo Tech, I worked as an assistant professor in the same lab for five years. In addition to conducting research, I taught GPU programming and AI in English to Tokyo Tech students.

After that, I spent about four years leading a VR research team at an advanced technology institute while working as a senior system architect at a high-performance computing company specializing in computational and simulation technologies.

What made you join Early Reflections?

I enjoyed my previous job, but due to unforeseen changes within the company, I decided to seek new opportunities.

I learned about Early Reflections through a professional connection at my previous company and was attracted to its environment filled with young and talented individuals.

Early Reflections has a vibrant atmosphere with great peers, as well as opportunities to meet a range of interesting people at its “Early Bar” events.

Additionally, at my previous job, most colleagues specialized in biology, so I rarely had the chance to collaborate with people in my field of expertise.

Early Reflections, however, has numerous tech and business experts, and I’m excited to learn and grow in such a stimulating environment.

With your skills and background, it seems you could have also joined a Big Tech company. Did you consider that option?

I find working in smaller, fast-paced companies to be more straightforward.

Smaller organizations allow you to see the impact of your contributions more clearly. Additionally, the fast-changing nature of such companies means that if I don’t enjoy one project, I can quickly move on to something else.

It sounds like Early Reflections is a perfect fit for you. Have you started working on any projects yet?

Right now, I’m exploring various projects to decide where I’ll contribute more fully in the future.

Since most of our projects involve web development, I’ve been working on a learning project—building a website in two weeks—as I had no prior experience with web programming.

Even though I haven’t fully joined a project yet, I specialize in 3D visualization, so I believe I could contribute significantly to improving BIMSTOK, which utilizes 3D models.

BIMSTOK seems like a great match for your expertise. Are there any other projects you’d like to work on?

Outside of web development, I’m particularly interested in projects involving LiDAR technology. LiDAR involves using laser beams to measure the time it takes for light to bounce back, which allows for the creation of highly detailed 3D maps of the environment.

I’m also passionate about robotics, 3D animation, and VR, and I’d love to collaborate with companies in those fields. I found it very interesting when Early Reflections hosted its regular "Early Bar" event and invited companies from such industries.

You have a very wide range of interests!

Yes, in my free time, I enjoy creating new things such as drones and RC cars. Recently, I’ve been trying to make an aquarium at my house.

▼99-gram drone to meet Japan’s drone laws on toy drone

▼Four-wheel drive RC Car

I noticed some of your creations displayed in the office! Could you tell us more about your aquarium? It sounds fascinating!

I’m currently in the early stages of building it.

To complete the setup, I need to design and assemble the tank, filter, lighting, and sensing systems. The design requires smart lighting and sensing, as well as earthquake resistance.

Additionally, I aim to keep all the equipment contained within the tank itself, with nothing hanging off the back. This approach maximizes available table or apartment space, making it more compact and efficient.

Working on aquariums has also given me extra motivation to learn about chemistry and biology.

I’ve been diving into topics like the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, light wavelength transmission in water, and how different wavelengths affect plant growth and beneficial bacteria.

It’s been challenging but also rewarding!

▼Greg’s first acrylic cutting, welding, and tube bending

It’s been about a month since you joined. How are you finding the experience so far?

My first month at Early Reflections has been a smooth and enjoyable experience, thanks to the welcoming environment and the supportive team members.

With their help, I’ve been learning about web development, an area I hadn’t explored before. I am also fortunate to be involved in various projects and look forward to contributing to future ones.

In particular, I see great potential in leveraging my expertise in GPU technologies for 3D visualization and AI-related projects. Over the past 12 years, I’ve worked extensively with GPU programming, especially in graphics processing and AI applications.

I’m also a certified NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute instructor, which has provided me with valuable experience in deep learning education.

I aim to apply this background to Early’s new initiative, “Early AI,” which focuses on using AI and data technologies to deliver innovative solutions and foster industry-wide data collaboration. As a member of the launch team, my primary goal is to strengthen AI capabilities and drive the application of GPU technologies within this project.

Additionally, I’m participating in discussions about expanding into the US and global markets. With my international experience and roots in the US, I’m eager to contribute to Early’s global business development by building on its technical strengths.

Through collaborations with internal teams and external partners, I hope to enhance Early’s technological capabilities, especially in AI, simulation, and GPU-driven projects.

Finally, what is your future goals?

Through the launch of “Early AI” and our global expansion, I aim to work on projects that have a significant impact on the global tech market. I also hope to expand my knowledge in business and industry while exploring new challenges in AI and robotics, including LLMs and computer vision.

By utilizing AI and GPU technologies, I aspire to create new value, contribute to Early’s growth, and continue evolving as a technologist.

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Greg’s journey exemplifies the spirit of curiosity and growth we value at Early Reflections.

His unique blend of expertise, passion for innovation, and eagerness to explore new frontiers make him a perfect fit for our dynamic team.

We look forward to seeing his incredible contributions to Early Reflections and the global tech market in the near future!