About Me
A focused overview of my academic background, professional experience, and technical strengths.
Desmond Obe
PhD Researcher in Artificial Intelligence | AI Engineer | Cloud Solutions Specialist
Career Objective
I hold two Master's degrees with Distinction: a Master of I.T. from James Cook University, Australia and a Master of Electrical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nigeria. My academic training spans Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence, providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation for research and system development.
Prior to transitioning into information technology, my work focused on power electronics and renewable energy systems, where I designed and analysed novel multilevel inverter topologies and associated control strategies. This work resulted in peer-reviewed publications in leading power electronics journals, reflecting both theoretical rigour and practical relevance. In parallel, I held a leadership role at Palm Tree Technology, where I led electrical and solar installation projects, overseeing system design, deployment, and on-site implementation for electrical and renewable energy solutions.
Following this, I built professional experience across multiple roles in the IT sector, including Software Developer at Nanocodes, Machine Learning and Data Engineer at JutaLab, and IT Consultant at Study Cairns. In these roles, I worked on software development, data-driven systems, and enterprise IT infrastructure, contributing to the reliability, security, and operational resilience of critical systems.
In parallel with industry roles, I have engaged in academic and research endeavors. I served as a research assistant Elelctrical Engineering, Hokkaido University, Japan, and later taught at the University of Ibadan. I am currently a casual academic at James Cook University, supporting lead lecturers in Advanced and Mobile computing subjects
I am presently undertaking a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at James Cook University, Australia. My research ambition is to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, cloud computing, and enterprise IT systems to develop scalable, data-driven solutions for complex real-world challenges, with a particular focus on a focused mental health. I am driven by a commitment to ethical innovation, robust system design, and the translation of research into practical impact for healthcare and society
Education
PhD in IT (Artificial Intelligence)
James Cook University
(June 2025 - April 2029) · Australia
Thesis: Privacy Preserving AI for Health Intervention
Master of IT (Cloud Computing)
James Cook University
(May 2023 - April 2025) · Australia
Grade: Distinction (CGPA: 6.69 / 7.0)
Master of Engineering (Power Electronics & New Systems)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
(Aug 2019 - July 2023) · Nigeria
Thesis: Development and Analysis of a Single-Phase, Five-Level F-Type Inverter
Grade: Distinction (CGPA: 4.83 / 5.0)
Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics Engineering)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
(Sept 2011 - Aug 2017) · Nigeria
Thesis: Design and Implementation of an Improved Door Security System Using Fingerprint
Grade: Second Class Upper Division (2.1 Honours)
HUSTEP Researcher
Hokkaido University
(2016) · Japan
Carried out research in energy policy, with a particular focus on wind and thermal energy systems, which formed the foundation of my interest in renewable energy technologies. Through this research, I examined how policy and regulatory frameworks shape the development, deployment, and integration of energy technologies within national power systems.
Grade: SatisfactoryWork Experience
Casual Academic Lecturer
James Cook University
(May 2025 - Present) · Cairns, Queensland
Provide academic support to students enrolled in Advanced Mobile Technology (CP5307) and Mobile Computing (CP3406) by delivering constructive feedback on assessments and andriod application development. Support student learning by identifying strengths and areas for improvement, thereby reinforcing key technical concepts, and referring students to the Subject Coordinator where appropriate to ensure alignment with unit expectations and academic standards.
Microsoft 365 & Cloud System Engineer
Study Cairns
(Jun 2025 - Mar 2026) · Cairns, QLD, Australia (Hybrid)
I consulted for the Study Cairns organisation wide Microsoft 365 and Dropbox environments by providing tier 1 and tier 2 IT support to staff and leadership, administering user accounts, licences, mailboxes, and permissions across SharePoint, Teams, and Exchange Online, and managing device provisioning for end users. My role included licence audits, cost optimisation, and vendor coordination, and Dropbox information architectures, maintaining IT documentation, and advising management on IT strategy. I recommended the migration from Dropbox to OneDrive, eliminating recurring licensing costs and improving alignment with the Microsoft 365 platform.
IT Support Engineer Intern
Risk 2 Solution Group
(Apr 2025 - Sep 2025) · Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Remote)
I supported enterprise Microsoft 365 environments by managing SharePoint Online, Teams, and Office Online services. My responsibilities include providing tier-1 and tier-2 helpdesk support, troubleshooting system issues, managing user access via Active Directory, deploying new Microsoft 365 team sites, and documenting standard operating procedures. I built on-boarding automations across power automate, sharepoint, Microsoft Form, Power Shell Scripting. I work closely with senior engineers to implement scalable M365 solutions and improve cloud service delivery.
Machine Learning Engineer
JutaLab
(Dec 2024 - Apr 2025) · Abuja, Nigeria (Remote)
Collected and prepared data from various sources to ensure quality and consistency for machine learning workflows. Analyzed large datasets to uncover trends and insights, developed and optimized predictive models (achieving 20% accuracy improvement), and created insightful reports and visualizations for non-technical audiences. Implemented MLOps practices for automated CI/CD deployment and streamlined model maintenance.
Student Buddy
James Cook University
(Dec 2024 - Jan 2025) · Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Supported new international students through the Cairns Student Buddy Program by assisting at orientation and welcome events, conducting campus and university tours, and helping students settle into life at James Cook University and the Cairns community. Provide peer guidance, share general information about university services and local resources, and direct students to appropriate support services when required.
Software Engineer
Nanocodes Programming
(July 2024 - Present) · Nigeria (Remote)
Developed web and mobile applications using React and Flutter, integrating secure RESTful APIs and backend databases for user authentication, session management, and real-time data retrieval. Designed relational and NoSQL schemas, built dynamic dashboards, and integrated Node.js backend services with PostgreSQL and MongoDB. Maintained Git-based CI/CD pipelines for smooth, scalable deployments.
Network Analyst Engineer
Globacom Telecommunications
(Nov 2021 - May 2023) · Nigeria (On-site)
Managed base station controllers and telecommunications equipment to maintain optimal network performance, reducing service downtime by approximately 10%. Conducted detailed site audits and ensured ongoing compliance with Nigerian communications regulations. Analysed network traffic and utilisation patterns, supporting optimisation strategies that improved data flow and increased network capacity by around 25%. Prepared clear performance and revenue reports, translating technical metrics into actionable insights for senior management.
Teaching Assistant
University of Ibadan
(Aug 2019 - Jul 2020) · Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria (On-site)
I supported the course coordinator in delivering the TEL 231 - Applied Electricity course to 200-level students by enhancing course materials, grading assignments and exams, and providing supplementary tutorials. Additionally, I guided final-year students on their bachelor's theses, assisting them in accessing relevant resources, identifying research gaps, and refining their study objectives under the course coordinator's supervision.
System Administrator & IT Support
JutaLab
(Jan 2017 - Mar 2019) · Abuja, Nigeria (On-site)
Delivered technical support to 100+ users, achieving a 95% first-call resolution rate. Conducted routine system maintenance, security checks, and network monitoring, reducing downtime by 20% and proactively identifying potential issues. Configured and managed IT infrastructure, including server deployment and network setup, enhancing overall performance and reducing risk exposure by 15%.
Technical Skills
Programming Languages
Frameworks & Libraries
Cloud & DevOps
AI & Machine Learning
Tools & Platforms
Databases
Awards & Scholarships
JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Full scholarship for PhD studies in Artificial Intelligence at James Cook University, Australia
International Student Excellence Award
Recognition by Study Cairns for outstanding academic achievement and community contribution
JCU International Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for Master of IT studies at James Cook University
JASSO Scholarship (Japan)
Japanese Government scholarship for HUSTEP exchange program at Hokkaido University
Professional Memberships
Associate Member – Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Member ID: #4381109Member – Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
Member ID: #S20635Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN)
Registration ID: #R68938International Association of Engineers (IAENG)
Member ID: #509179Peer Review Activity
Journal of Electrical Engineering
Serving as a peer reviewer for academic publications in the field of electrical engineering, contributing to the quality and integrity of scholarly research.