Carter Tierney

Journey

I was led to Computer Science through passion for math, software, video games, and curiosity for what drives the world around me. Software and Data is the backbone of everything we do as humans, and I'm passionate about creating tools that actually help people. Currently I am doing my Masters research project on using AI agents and LLMs to optimize quantitative trading strategies for portfolio management. Over the last year I have helped changed the CS culture at GSU by hosting 2x hackathons (largest in GSU history) and helping grow our community of students to 2400 members. I am also a competitive powerlifter and President of the Barbell Weightlifting Club. If you want to learn more about my professional journey, check out my linkedin: LinkedIn

Personal

• Currently living in West Midtown in Atlanta, GA, and I was born and raised in Kennesaw, GA
• Hobbies: Powerlifting, video games, chess, reading, going out to eat, watching anime and movies
• Favorite foods/drinks: BBQ, sushi, freshly baked cookies, chocolate milk, coffee
• 6'4 + Current Best lifts: Squat 565, Bench 365, Deadlift 675
• Brother to 3 older sisters, 1 younger sister, and 1 younger brother
• My Roomate and I have a cat named Albert (After Albert Einstein), but hes a bit slow so we call him Bert
• I have been a Soccer Referee, Server, Bartender, Chef, Kitchen Manager, Restaraunt Manager, volunteer camp counselor, and powerlifitng coach!

Education

• Fall 2026: Studying my Masters in Computer Science at Georgia State University.
• Fall 2026:Python teacher @ GSU: Hosting a weekly lab to 40+ studentson Fundamentals for Intro to Programming
• Fall 2026: Research under Dr. Parag Tamhankar @ GSU: Using AI agents and LLMs to optimize quantitative trading strategies for portfolio management(Black-Litterman, Mean Variance Optimization)
• Spring 2025: Completed my Bachelors in Computer Science at Georgia State University in December 2025.
• 2x Hackathon Winner | 1st Emory Hacks Healthcare Track (Fall 2025) | 2nd UGAHacks XI NCR Track (Spring 2026)
• 2x Hackathon Hoster | Hacklanta 1 350 hackers (largest in GSU history) | Hacklanta 2 900 hackers
• Dual enrolled at KSU at ages 16/17 (3.9 GPA) Graduated High School Class of 2022 (3.9 GPA)