Daniel E.

Q: Who are you? Where are you from?

A: I’m Daniel Engel (they/them). I grew up on the Gulf Coast and have effectively spent most of my adult life slowly moving up the northeast coast.

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Q: What’s your background? What did you do before Modulate?

A: I recently finished a Ph.D. at Brown University where I worked on algorithms at the intersection of game theory and distributed computing.

Before that, I worked on scientific computing stuff; I did a co-op program working on emag simulation for antennas, and I worked on geometry processing algorithms while at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. 

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Q: Why are you joining Modulate?

A: I’m excited to work at a company that is both building powerful new audio technology and thoughtfully stewarding those tools.

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Q: What’s your ideal work environment? Any special strategies you use to stay effective?

A: I’m a shy extrovert. It’s tragic. I’m like a diesel truck: once you get me talking I won’t hush, but it takes me a moment to warm up. Ideally at work, I like to have intense periods of focused solo work time about half the day, and more relaxed social/helping others time the rest of the day.

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Q: Tell us about something you must have in any culture you join?

A: Basic respect. Curiosity. A willingness to cross the divide of difference to get to know each other.

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Q: Who are you outside of work?

A: Definitely someone with many hobbies! Some include: making music, rollerblading, dancing, baking, biking.

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Q: What’s something you’re great at that few people realize?

A: I’m actually alright at impersonations and voices, at least according to friends and family. Generally, if I’m acting out a book/game/TV character, I’m in a good mood! 

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Q: Leave us with a fun tidbit - a favorite joke, a story from your past, an obscure riddle, whatever you like!

A: “I’m not gonna die in 4/4 time.” -Moondog