Name:       Derek Ahmed
E-mail:     d.ahmed@berkeley.edu


Mini-Biography:
==============

--> Where did you grow up? What was your academic path?

I grew up in Lakewood, CA. My history teacher always mentioned it was the first
"Levittown of the west coast," which was probably why it was super boring and all the
houses looked the same. I graduated from Los Alamitos High School. 
In regards to my path to Cal, I mainly chose Cal based off who I wanted to become one day, which I feel like I'm on the right track for.  


--> How much programming have you done (and what languages)?

I started programming in my first semester at UC Berkeley. Despite 
intending to double major in mathematics and economics, I chose 
to study computer science instead of mathematics as my second major after 
being heavily influenced by my freshman roommates (nearly all of whom were EE/CS).
My favorite language by far is C. I also am familiar with Python, Java, 
JavaScript, Objective-C/Swift, SQL, BASH, and MIPS of course.


--> What are your hobbies? What are some of your talents and skills?

I really enjoy doing triathlons and currently am on the triathlon team at Cal.
I think it's super important to stay physically and mentally healthy as a person. In regards to talents, I was a backstroker in high school and am still pretty talented at swimming (although definitely not good enough to compete for Cal's amazing swim team). I'm also pretty talented at sprinting on a bicycle.

--> Have you done anything remarkable? Has anything really memorable happened to you?

In high school I broke several high school records in swimming. One of which remains unbroken.  Also, just recently I rode my bicycle around the entire bay area from 
Berkeley to Palo Alto to San Francisco around the San Pablo Bay back to Berkeley,
all in time for dinner (nearly a 190 mile endeavor). I've also climbed three mountains in California with my bicycle (soon to be 4 once I climb Mt Palomar this year).

--> What commitments will be consuming your cycles this term?

Currently my plan is to take CS168, CS162, MATH110, UGBA180 (possibly) and to be the best TA that I can be.
I still intend to compete in triathlons, but that will be of course a lower priority, especially given a recent and ongoing leg injury.