My work spans both the technical and creative—from engineering secure, scalable platforms to producing music and creating games and visual media. I’m driven by projects that fuse cutting-edge technology with creativity and human-centered design to deliver real-world impact.
Career highlights include a pivotal role at Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Software Research, where I led development of the IoT Privacy Infrastructure—an initiative focused on transparency and data ethics in connected devices. As lead architect of Bright Plaza’s Kaje Authentication Platform, I secured multiple U.S. patents for innovations in digital security, authentication systems, and cloud-based identity infrastructure—all while forging a parallel creative path as an independent music producer and designer.
Let’s connect and explore how our technological and creative paths might intersect.
Projects
- Justin Donnell - Tonight (music)onight is a smooth yet energetic sound, driven by a steady beat, deep bass, and melodic flow. Female vocals weave in and out, adding a subtle, hypnotic vibe. With an urban feel and laid-back confidence, Tonight embodies the essence of effortless momentum—elevating the moment and letting the rhythm take control. Perfect for nights that feel endless and full of possibility. Originally created as just a beat for someone to rap over, I later went back and added the vocals and additional production.
- Justin Donnell - Rise (music)Rise is a high-energy track featuring a dynamic blend of fast and melodic piano and driving rock drums. Enhanced with cinematic sound effects, this track exudes energy and excitement, inviting listeners to embark on an exhilarating musical journey. The track symbolizes rising above and overcoming adversity. Originally composed for piano several years ago, with simple concert bass drum and hand clap percussion, this piece was revisited and transformed into its current form more recently.
- Justin Donnell - Wander (Music)Wander blends melodic piano and synth with intricate percussion and cinematic effects, creating a reflective and immersive soundscape. A brief, wordless vocal emerges occasionally, adding emotional depth and enhancing the track’s sense of quiet contemplation and soulful exploration. Originally written as a piano composition several years ago, it was revisited and transformed into its current form more recently.
Work history
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CTOBright Plaza, Inc.
Pittsburgh, United StatesFull Time
Serve as primary architect and developer of a moderated discussion platform built to address online misinformation.
Lead full-stack development, including cloud-based infrastructure architecture (traditional and serverless), database design, and scalable backend services.
Build and maintain backend systems, administrative tools, and a responsive web portal using a modern full-stack framework and component-based UI design.
Collaborate directly with the CEO, advisors, and shareholders to align technical execution with evolving business and product strategy.
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AdvisorCarnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United StatesFreelance
Currently contributing in an advisory and development role, shaping product direction and providing ongoing technical expertise for the Internet of Things Privacy Infrastructure, a platform designed to publicize connected devices and the data they collect.
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Skills
- Music Production
- Music Composition
- Web Development
- Graphic Design
- Entrepreneur
- Laravel
- Programming
- Abobe Creative Suite
- PHP Mysql
- AWS