Jonathan Chin

Educator, poet, software engineer, social entrepreneur, and 2nd dan black belt. My greatest concern is how to leverage breakthrough technology to address the human condition in illuminating ways. I teach literature, computer science, math, and martial arts, drawing on 16+ years of teaching experience including in high-risk neighborhoods across New York City and on Rikers Island. My classrooms are often attended by laughter, sometimes so much that they're asked to pipe down.

Education

City University of New York School of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy

2026 to present

Environmental and Planetary Health Sciences, focusing on Food Security

New York University, Masters of Arts

2021

Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and English Education

Brooklyn College, Masters of Fine Arts

2011

Creative Writing - Poetry in Response to Crisis within the Modern World

Boston University, Bachelors of Arts

2007

English Literature with a minor in Computer Science

Research

Li CYH, Platkin C, Chin J, Khan A, Bennett J, Speck A, Nielsen A, Leung MM. Web-Based Tool Designed to Encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Use in Urban College Students: Usability Testing Study. JMIR Formative Research. 2024;8:e50557. doi: 10.2196/50557.
Leung MM, Li C, Chin J, Khan A, Speck A, Bennett J, Nielsen A, Platkin C, et al. SNAP-For-U: Testing Usability of an Online Tool Designed to Encourage SNAP Utilization in Urban College Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2023; 55(7):100. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.215.
Butz L, Platkin C, Chin J, Chavez Salas JP, Serres E, Leung MM. Food Access in New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Media Monitoring Study. JMIR Formative Research. 2025;9:e49520. doi: 10.2196/49520.

Experience

Share Meals United

2013 to present

Founder, CEO

Design, develop, and maintain full stack architecture for the Share Meals app, a hybrid webapp where students, staff, and faculty can share meal swipes, alert each other of extra food on campus, and access long-term food assistance resources
Architect, engineer, and pilot Pantry Point, a hardware retrofit that converts standard vending machines into automated food pantries, with 3 successful pilots in NYC and 1 active pilot in Baltimore
Build and maintain food resource guides, comprehensive databases connecting users to local food assistance programs and services in NYC and Alabama
Broker partnerships between food recovery programs, non-profit organizations, and universities to address campus food insecurity
Liaise with senior administration and stakeholders from 500+ universities about their localized community needs
Awarded $40k grand prize for social impact from WR Berkley Center 8 month entrepreneurship contest

PopCom Health

2026 to present

Chief Technology Officer

Oversee full stack development and architecture for a health communications company creating behavior-change interventions for young people ages 5-25
Implement code alongside one other engineer across animated narratives, interactive comics, gamified exercises, and social features
Architect solutions across a variable tech stack by project, such as React, Directus, PostgreSQL, cloud services, and SMS on the current project
Drive strategic and engineering decisions spanning product, platform, and technical direction

Hunger Solutions Institute, Auburn University

2026 to present

Technology Consultant

Modernize, maintain, and ensure WCAG compliance for the institute's primary web presence
Provide strategic technical input on the institute's research, publications, and other initiatives addressing food insecurity and child hunger

Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center

2020 to 2025

Interim Chief Technology Officer

Designed, built, and maintained architecture for the most comprehensive, most up-to-date public database on food resources in NYC, launched during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and reaching 80,000+ New Yorkers per month
Replicated the food guide project to run across Alabama in partnership with 50+ local non-profits
Researched and implemented accessibility solutions to ensure all users had equitable access
Ran topic modeling and other data science analytics using LDA, GSDMM, R, Python, AWS SageMaker, OSoME Botometer, and custom code
Trained non-technical team members to understand and participate in data analytics across 2 multi-year projects

New York University IT

2018 to 2020

Frontend Developer

Built frontend components for institution-wide SSO and IAM rollout serving 70,000+ active users and 500,000+ alumni
Overhauled SSO login pages and related interfaces to meet WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
Participated in interviews for developer hires and provided perspective on candidates to supervisor

BITS Lab, New York University

2018 to 2020

App Developer and Server Administrator

Developed features for the staRt app (Speech Therapist's App for /R/ Treatment), an NIH-funded biofeedback app for speech sound disorder treatment downloaded over 20,000 times
Improved server stability by building an early warning notification system that detected disk space issues before they caused locks and crashes
Created data encryption workflow to comply with HIPAA regulations
Worked across a stack of React.js, Angular.js, AWS, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB

Bili - Bilingual Education

2023 to 2025

Chief Technology Officer

Led architecture design and full stack development for a culturally-informed Spanish learning app highlighting indigenous cultures for K-5 students
Wrote code and managed a team of 2 junior developers across a React hybrid frontend and Firebase/Strapi backend
Translated the founder's Harvard PhD research in education leadership into a functional product, reaching pilot stage in public schools
Handled server administration, database administration, and cloud services management

Medgar Evers College, City University of New York

2022 to 2024

Full Time Lecturer - Computer Science

Taught 3 courses per semester including Intro to Computing, Database Systems, Object Oriented Programming and Design, and Programming Language Paradigms to classes of 10-20 students
Developed curricula and lesson plans for each course while using department-selected textbooks
Supported students at a predominantly Black institution to establish working mastery of Javascript, SQL, C++, and Python
Cultivated a genuine, driving curiosity in computer science students toward both industry and research

CUNY Tech Talent Pipeline at Medgar Evers College

2021 to 2024

Computer Science Instructor

Developed and taught full stack developer curricula across summer and winter intensive programs and supplementary workshops during fall and spring semesters
Covered machine learning, data science, git, Node.js, React.js, SQL, CI/CD, project management, and responsive design across separate courses for computer science and computer information systems undergrads
Led daily debriefing sessions with a team of 4-5 instructional staff to review class progress, identify individual student needs, assign support responsibilities, and adapt upcoming lessons
Mentored 7 undergraduate teaching assistants across multiple courses on student interaction and instructional support, some recruited from prior cohorts
Centered instruction around project-based learning, with students collaborating on group projects culminating in presentations

Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, State University of New York

2017 to present

Adjunct Lecturer

Teach remedial writing and reading comprehension to adult learners preparing for college-level coursework, many of whom are immigrants
Teach computer applications including Word, Calendar, and Excel to students with varying tech literacy levels, some starting from zero experience including learning to use a mouse
Support nursing certification students with literacy and communication skills needed to thrive in the workplace
Foster a classroom culture of mutual support where students help and teach each other
Evolved traditional face-to-face curricula for fully virtual delivery during the pandemic

The Cooper Union STEM Outreach Program

2016 to 2018

Adjunct Instructor

Designed and taught interdisciplinary curricula combining computer science, engineering, social impact, and entrepreneurship for underserved high school students on full scholarships
Designed and led intensive summer program centered on collaborative, project-based learning where student groups used computer science to solve real problems for non-profits, such as building a website for a school in Sierra Leone
Taught weekend STEM programs during fall and spring semesters with demo days at the end of each term
Interviewed, recommended, supervised, and mentored 3-5 undergraduate teaching assistants, coaching them on student interaction and how to support students' educational journeys
Forged partnerships with 6 local and international non-profits to serve as real-world clients for student group projects

Pace University

2010 to present

Adjunct Lecturer

Teach weekly Taekwondo and self defense classes to 20 undergraduate students each semester

Rikers Island, State University of New York

2014

Adjunct Professor

Taught HSE-level math, English, and social studies to a cohort of 10 incarcerated adult women on-site at Rikers Island
Adapted instruction for a high-security environment with no internet, no computers, and no homework — all learning happened in the classroom with pre-approved textbooks and counted pencils
Delivered some of the most responsive, engaged instruction of career despite lacking traditional educational supports such as tutoring, enrichment materials, and homework
Supported program goal of acclimating students to higher education academic rigor to enable continued enrollment upon release

Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center, State University of New York

2013 to 2016

Adjunct Professor

Taught HSE-level English, math, and science curricula to classes of 20-30 adult learners, often including new immigrants
Prepared students for Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) statewide standards

Brooklyn College, City University of New York

2010 to 2016

Adjunct Professor

Taught INDS (Independent Study), a dedicated first-year seminar covering essential college skills including academic and professional communication, time management, and navigating campus life for classes of 20-25 largely first generation, minority students
Instructed Speech, Freshman Seminar, and Career and Life Planning courses for 20-25 high school students through the College Now program, offering credit-bearing college courses in historically low-enrolling neighborhoods
Coordinated with high school guidance counselors to support the College Now program's goal of increasing college enrollment in underserved communities
Built lasting relationships with students through a whole-person approach to instruction, with at least one student crediting the support as the reason they stayed in college

College of New Rochelle

2010 to 2013

Adjunct Professor

Taught HSE English and Math to classes of 20-30 adult learners on a dual track for High School Equivalency and Associate of Arts degrees
Tailored curricula to meet non traditional adult students where they were, such as using Mario Brothers to teach English sentence structure (SVO) when traditional methods weren't landing
Informed department curricula development with frontline teaching insights from working closely with adult learners affected by homelessness, incarceration, generational poverty, and single parenthood
Approached instruction with a whole-person philosophy, recognizing that adult learners' personal circumstances — from housing instability to trauma — were inseparable from their academic success
Collaborated with department leadership to advocate for at-risk students, navigating institutional processes to keep learners facing personal crises enrolled in the program

Volunteer

Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity

2023 to present

Founding Board Advisor

Advise on strategic direction and technology for a center addressing food as medicine and longevity

NYU Steinhardt School of Education, Special Education Department, wCollege Program

2021 to present

Technology Lead, Entrepreneurial Consultant

Lead full stack development and architecture on actionable technology for a $1.4MM National Center for Education Research funded project exploring factors for positive transition of high school students who identify as English learners and as having a disability
Leverage AI tooling to accelerate development, with early-stage discussions on incorporating AI agents into the user experience
Consult on entrepreneurial aspects like product-market fit, social enterprise business models, and user discovery

Hunger Solutions Institute

2020 to 2023

Technical Consultant

Advised on deployment and software design for Alabama's statewide County Food Guides, applying lessons learned from the NYC Food Resource Guides as part of their Ending Child Hunger initiative
Adapted principles and practices from highly urban contexts for application in highly rural contexts

Mayor's Office, New York City

2021

Food Policy Transition Team Consultant

Advised the transition team on food policy development across innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, local university engagement, college hunger, and stigma

New America Public Interest Technology

2020

Data Ethics Consultant

Ran data ethics seminars for the committee developing NYC's post-pandemic food aid distribution system for the mayor's office
Provided insight into the multifaceted causes and impacts of food insecurity on highly urban populations

WR Berkley Entrepreneurship Center at New York University

2020 to 2025

Mentor and associate judge

Reviewed $300k Entrepreneur's Challenge applications from startup teams working in tech and social impact
Advised teams on developing sustainable business models, identifying competitive advantages, and mitigating risks

HackNYU

2016 to 2019

Sustainability and Social Impact Track Chair

Doubled social impact and sustainability submissions from 30% historically to 60% of all projects
Brokered top-tier sponsorship from JP Morgan Chase for the Social Impact and Sustainability track
Recruited and trained industry experts to serve as judges

Speak For Yourself

2004 to 2007

Cofounder, Performer

Co-facilitated poetry writing and performance workshops
Delivered spoken word performances at poetry slams and cultural events across the university

Intercollegiate Slam Team

2006 to 2007

Founder, Performer

Founded and assembled a traveling poetry troupe of 4 undergraduate performers
Managed booking and travel logistics for regional performances in the northeast

Brooklyn College Taekwondo Club

2009 to 2014

Founder, Faculty Advisor

Taught martial arts and general health to undergrads in preparation for regional competition
Organized regular charity events in collaboration with other student organizations and departments
Managed annual budget of $2000 with requisite reporting to the college

Skills

Languages

C/C++, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, R, SQL, TypeScript

Frontend

Angular, Bootstrap, CSS/SASS, EJS, Handlebars, HTML5, Ionic, Material Design, Pug, React

Backend and APIs

Apache, API integrations, Express, GraphQL, JWT, nginx, Node.js, OpenID Connect, Passport, PHP, Tomcat, webhooks, WebSockets

Databases

Firebase Realtime, Firestore, MongoDB, MySQL, pgAdmin, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, Redis, SQLite

Cloud and DevOps

AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, Route 53, SNS), Docker, Docker Compose, git, GitLab, Google Cloud, Netlify

Build, Testing, and Tooling

Cypress, ESLint, Jest, npm, pip, Prettier, Storybook, Swagger, Vite, yarn

Content and Integrations

Airtable, BullMQ, Directus, SendGrid, Strapi, Twilio, WordPress

Geospatial

Google Maps API, MapLibre, OpenLayers, OpenStreetMap, PostGIS

Data Science and ML

AWS SageMaker, Chart.js, CSV, ggplot2, JSON, NLTK, Python, R, Stanford CoreNLP, topic modeling (LDA, GSDMM), XML, YAML

AI Tooling

AI-accelerated development, ChatGPT, Claude, LLM integration

Accessibility

axe, WAVE, WCAG 2.0

Teaching Tech

Blackboard, Brightspace, GitHub Issues, TestFlight, Trello

Hardware and Design

Adobe Suite, Arduino, CAD, FDM 3D Printing, Figma, Inkscape, Laser Cutting

Awards

Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship

2017

$300K Entrepreneurs Challenge Grand Winner

Won 8 month long entrepreneurship contest for a digital platform solving national college food insecurity and social isolation through realtime resource allocation

PennApps Hackathon XVI

2017

Grand Prize Winner

Awarded for automated recycling robot prototype utilizing computer vision and mechatronics at the largest undergraduate hackathon in the world

Rise Against Hunger

2017

Clinton Hunger Leadership Award

Awarded in recognition for outstanding leadership in the movement to end world hunger

Clinton Foundation

2018

Clinton Global Initiative University Fellowship

For individuals who demonstrate a clear passion for change and a Commitment to Action

New York City Food Policy Center

2018

40 Under 40 Rising Stars in NYC Food Policy

Awarded for exceptional work and contributions to improving food policy in New York City

New York University

2017

George Sandowsky Award

For exemplary innovation in using the Internet for community service to increase food security at NYU

Washington Square News

2019

NYU Top 10 Influential Students

Recognized as one of NYU's ten most influential students for work addressing college food insecurity through Share Meals

Speaking Opportunities

TEDx University of Missouri

2016

Keynote Speaker - How Hunger Gave Us Purpose

TEDx New York University

2016

Hunger Banquet

SXSW EDU

2023

Filming TikToks to Teach Writing Thesis Statements

Course Hero Education Summit

2022

Using Smartphones to Film Movie Trailers to Teach Writing Thesis Statements

SXSW EDU

2022

Using Tattoos & Mario Bros to Teach English Comp

Course Hero Education Summit

2021

Cultivating Student Engagement Online

The Learning Institute at Millersville University

2021

Access to Nutritious Food

Hunger Free Communities Virtual Summit

2021

Web-Based Resources to Combat Food Insecurity

Harvard Graduate School of Education

2020

Practical Solutions to College Food Insecurity

The Student Affairs Conference at New York University

2020

Keynote Speaker - Administration and Student Collaborative Efforts on College Food Security

Conference on Education and Poverty at Millersville University

2019

Keynote Speaker - UN Sustainable Development Goals and the College Student's Capacity to Thrive

Hackathon at TeenHacks Long Island

2019

Keynote Speaker - Inspiring the Next Generation of Socially Responsible Engineers

Course Hero Education Summit

2019

Game On - How and Why to Use Classroom Games for Immersive, Experiential Learning

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

2019

The International Student Experience with Food Insecurity

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

2019

Tech Solutions to Hunger - Resources and Advice for Student Engineers to Tackle Local Hunger Issues

SXSW EDU

2019

Using Tattoos to Teach the Essay Writing Process

Next Gen Young Entrepreneurs Summit

2018

Diversity in Entrepreneurship

NYU Tech Summit at New York University

2018

Hacking for Social Good - Why and How More Engineers Should Learn Social Entrepreneurship

Conference on Education and Poverty at Millersville University

2018

It's Hard to Learn When You're Hungry - Solutions to Student Food Insecurity and How it Impacts Education

NYC Food Policy Center

2018

Emerging Tech in Food

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

2018

Cross Disciplinary Co-Creation - How NYU Engages Multiple Majors to Solve Hunger

SXSW EDU

2018

Improvised Assistive Tech $5 Mystery Box Challenge

Maine Hunger Dialogue

2017

Solving Food Waste in Real Time

Dexterity Online Radio - Africa Now

2017

How Teaching Influences and Drives Poetry

Washington Square News

2021

NYU Share Meals helped over 4,000 students last semester. This semester, they want to do more.

NYC Food Policy Center

2018

Share Meals is Working to End College Hunger

NYC Food Policy Center

2021

Jon Chin and Share Meals: COVID-19 Food Hero

Education

City University of New York School of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy

New York University, Masters of Arts

Brooklyn College, Masters of Fine Arts

Boston University, Bachelors of Arts

Research

Experience

Rikers Island, State University of New York

Volunteer

Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity

Mayor's Office, New York City

Speak For Yourself

Intercollegiate Slam Team

Brooklyn College Taekwondo Club

Skills

Awards

Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship

PennApps Hackathon XVI

Rise Against Hunger

Clinton Foundation

New York City Food Policy Center

New York University

Washington Square News

Speaking Opportunities

TEDx University of Missouri

TEDx New York University

SXSW EDU

Course Hero Education Summit

SXSW EDU

Course Hero Education Summit

The Learning Institute at Millersville University

Hunger Free Communities Virtual Summit

Harvard Graduate School of Education

The Student Affairs Conference at New York University

Conference on Education and Poverty at Millersville University

Hackathon at TeenHacks Long Island

Course Hero Education Summit

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

SXSW EDU

Next Gen Young Entrepreneurs Summit

NYU Tech Summit at New York University

Conference on Education and Poverty at Millersville University

NYC Food Policy Center

Universities Fighting World Hunger International Summit

SXSW EDU

Maine Hunger Dialogue

Dexterity Online Radio - Africa Now

Featured In

Washington Square News

NYC Food Policy Center

Languages

Spanish · Intermediate

Korean · Beginner