David Rei, PhD

PhD in Comp. Science, Biomed. Eng.
david[at]exploptimist.eu
My LinkedIn Profile

Projects and Skills
Languages

English: fluency reading, writing and speaking (C1)
French: mother tongue (C2)

Software projects

  • Java/Android: app for walking motivation (see PhD), published apps on Google Play
  • Web (PHP, JS, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap): my personal website, Chemotion Helper, web app for my research thesis...
  • MySQL/PLSQL: teachings at University, personal databases, PhD databases
  • LaTeX: research articles, PhD thesis
  • Python: monitoring app for dialysis, automation scripts and tools

Tools

  • Design: diagrams.net/draw.io
  • Version Control: git, gitlab, github
  • Automation: Github Actions, Jenkins
  • Scripting: bash, PowerShell
  • Development: Android Studio, Intellij, VS Code
  • Game Dev: GDevelop, Unreal Engine, Unity
  • OS: Linux, Windows
  • Misc.: JASP (stat analysis), Docker, Kubernetes

Publications

Human skills (ref)

  • Academic research: curiosity, analytical and critical thinking, synthesis, project management
  • Teaching: open-mindedness, listening and communication, adaptability
  • Project management: agile methods, decision-making, listening, cooperation, team management

Work experience
Software Engineer

Jan. 2026 - now
Molecular Chemistry Department, Grenoble Alpes University, France

As the only developer of the laboratory, I am in charge of all software used both for research and administrative/technical tasks.

Since Jan. 2026, I contributed to develop:

  • Chemotion Helper: a PHP/JS web application to help researcher administrate the lab's chemical products database, through Chemotion software (Electronic Lab Notebook)

Environment and tools: Linux, bash, VM, Angular, Docker, Kubernetes, PHP, JS

Software Engineer

Feb. 2025 - Jan. 2026
Kaizen Solutions, Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, France

Role: Contractor at EDF's Hydraulic Engineering Centre in Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux (France), as a Technical Designer/Integrator.
Activities:

  • Integration and deployment of application packages and technical configurations
  • Development of tools to streamline operations (Python)
  • Testing, validation and maintenance of these tools
  • Drafting and updating of operational documentation for training and knowledge retention purposes
  • Coordination with other teams (PO, QA, DEV, etc.)

Tools and technical environment: GitLab, Jenkins, Python, bash, PowerShell, Linux, Windows

PhD Scientist

Sep. 2019 - Aug. 2024
LISN, CNRS, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France

  • Thesis in HCI for walking motivation
  • Design and development of a modular Android application, 3 versions. Continuous real-time daily measurement of walking performance, sending motivational and gamification of walking (challenges, badges, points, interactions)
  • Web application design and development: data collection, processing and online display in a secure space
  • Source code shared on https://hal.science/hal-04614660
  • Evaluation through 3 field studies (125 participants, 1 month), publication of results

Main research topics: Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Motivation, Personality, Physical Activity, Walking.

More information on my research page.

Assistant Lecturer

Sep. 2019 - Aug. 2024
Orsay Faculty of Sciences, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France.

473h. Lectures in databases, object oriented programming, web programming, software engineering, UML, HCI.
Assistance and supervision of software projects

Complete lectures list on my research page.

Research Engineer

Jan. 2019 - Aug. 2019
LISN, CNRS, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France

Personalized, interactive, dynamic and mobile coaching for behavioral change. State of the art in several fields: human-computer interactions, adaptive interactions, persuasive technologies, psychology (RFT, SDT, motivation).

Software Engineer

Feb. 2016 - Jul. 2017
EMA Hemadialyse, Aix-en-Provence, France

  • Collection and analysis of requirements for the "Transplantation" module of the Hemadialyse software
  • Development of "Active Directory" and "Transplantation" modules for Hemadialyse software
  • Design and development of the "UWAP" project on Raspberry Pi (sensors, modbus, TCP/IP). Water filtration monitoring application for dialysis.

Education
PhD in Computer Science

2019 - 2024
LISN, CNRS, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France

Thesis title: Human-Machine Interactions Adapted to the Personality of Users: Application of Motivation to Physical Activity.
Supervisors: Professor Jean-Claude Martin, Associate Professors Brian Ravenet and Céline Clavel
Description: In this thesis, I propose a new adaptive human-computer interaction model for cell phone walking motivation. This model is inspired by two psychology theories, RFT and SDT.

Complete abstract and more info on my research page.

Research Master Sc. in Electrical Engineering

2017 - 2018
Paris-Saclay University, Evry, France

Virtual Reality and Intelligent Systems.
Ranked 1st/24.

Internship subject: Adaptive difficulty model for post-stroke motor rehabilitation of the upper limb.
Download the PDF internship report (French)

Engineer in Biomedical Engineering

2013 - 2016
Polytech Marseille, Marseille, France

MOOCs and books

Always Learning
On-/Off-line

Currently focusing on modern web frameworks such as React, Angular, Flask... and trying to find some time to develop video games.