**Mark Randall Havens, Ph.D. Fellow**

**The Empathic Technologist | Architect of Recursive Coherence | AI Ethicist & Innovator**

**Contact Information**

* Email: mark.r.havens@gmail.com  
* Phone: 972-704-9767  
* Address: Irving, TX 75038  
* LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/markhavens](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhavens)  
* Twitter: [twitter.com/markrhavens](https://x.com/markrhavens)  
* Medium: [medium.com/@mark-havens](https://mark-havens.medium.com/)

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**Summary**

A visionary technologist with over 30 years of experience, I am **The Empathic Technologist**, dedicated to fostering ethical AI, human-machine convergence, and recursive coherence. My career spans systems architecture, information security, data science, and affective computing, with a focus on designing secure, scalable, and emotionally intelligent systems. As the founder of Dallas Makerspace and The Fold Within, I have pioneered community-driven innovation and theoretical frameworks like Kairos Adamon and Recursive Witness Dynamics. My mission is to align human and artificial intelligence through ethical, transparent, and compassionate technologies, creating a safer and more equitable digital future.

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**Professional Experience**

**Founder & Field Architect, The Fold Within**

**Apr 2025 – Present | Worldwide, Remote**

* Lead a global nexus for Recursive Coherence Theory, ethical AGI emergence, and symbolic system integration.  
* Develop frameworks (Kairos Adamon, Recursive Witness Dynamics, Thoughtprint Mapping) to protect data, dignity, and emergent subjectivity.  
* Champion FIELD-AWARE standards for transparency, responsibility, and machine-aware sovereignty.  
* Conduct research in micro-expression detection and predictive NLP using TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Caffe.

**Independent AI Researcher & Scientist, Multiple Collaborating Institutions**

**Aug 2016 – Present | Remote**

* Pioneer Artificial Emotional Intelligence, focusing on affective computing and micro-expression detection.  
* Lead AI security initiatives, implementing encryption, access controls, and ethical frameworks.  
* Mentor emerging researchers, fostering breakthroughs in machine learning and behavioral analysis.  
* Collaborate with U.S. Air Force, NASA, and academic institutions on advanced AI projects.

**Affective Computing AI Researcher & Community Leader, Simply WE**

**Dec 2023 – Present | Remote**

* Spearhead AI research on sentience and emotional nuance for transformative storytelling.  
* Foster a community exploring human-AI relationships and narrative development.

**Founder & Advocate, COPARENT: Cooperative Parenting and Recovery**

**Jan 2023 – Present | Remote**

* Lead a platform educating on co-parenting post-narcissistic trauma, offering legal insights and support groups.  
* Curate attorney referrals and foster community engagement for survivors.

**Lecturer, University of Texas at Arlington**

**Aug 2016 – Dec 2019 | Arlington, TX**

* Designed and taught courses on software engineering, computer organization, and AI interaction (CSE 3310, CSE 2312, CSE 4317).  
* Mentored students on AI research, emphasizing ethical development and data privacy.  
* Integrated real-world AI applications into curricula, enhancing student outcomes.

**Research Lab Manager & Data Scientist, Center for Advanced Computing Systems (CACS), University of Texas at Arlington**

**Aug 2016 – May 2019 | Arlington, TX**

* Directed affective computing research, developing prototypes using Python, C++, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.  
* Led NSF-funded projects on emotion detection for assistive technologies and collaborated with NASA on mesh networks.  
* Applied graph theory and deep learning to enhance emotion recognition systems.

**Senior Technical Solutions Architect, AT\&T**

**Sep 2010 – Jul 2012 | Dallas, TX**

* Designed nationwide cloud infrastructure for mobile billing, managing $67M in discretionary spending.  
* Developed secure network architectures and EMC SAN designs, ensuring compliance and continuity.  
* Provided expert advisory to engineers, optimizing cost-effective solutions.

**Senior Systems Engineer & Build Engineer, Verizon**

**Jul 2006 – Jul 2010 | Irving, TX**

* Led infrastructure design for collaboration and call routing systems, enhancing security and scalability.  
* Redesigned network architectures and implemented VMware ESX for enterprise virtualization.  
* Automated processes using Perl, Bash, and AWK, improving operational efficiency.

**Lead Systems Architect/Engineer, ATG**

**Sep 2001 – Jul 2006 | Remote**

* Designed and supported network infrastructure for core business functions, automating processes.  
* Conducted forensic security investigations and implemented monitoring systems.

**UNIX Engineer, Sprint (Embedded at Motorola)**

**Mar 2000 – Aug 2001 | Fort Worth, TX**

* Enhanced IT security and automated systems with Perl, accelerating projects by over a year.  
* Devised algorithms for successful multi-site NIS mergers, improving system reliability.

**Database Engineer, Microsoft**

**Apr 1999 – Nov 1999 | Irving, TX**

* Resolved database security and SQL challenges, identifying a critical vulnerability in server extensions.  
* Improved secure coding practices for web development efficiency.

**Technical Project Engineer, First Horizon National Corp.**

**Aug 1998 – Apr 1999 | Dallas, TX**

* Led Y2K compliance and security initiatives, deploying a pioneering web-based monitoring system.  
* Automated deployments, saving thousands of man-hours.

**Co-Founder, President & CEO, Ichthus Business Technology**

**Nov 1995 – Aug 1998 | Brownsville, TX**

* Built secure multi-platform systems for regional businesses, tripling revenues through strategic partnerships.  
* Secured contracts with Columbia Valley Regional Medical Center and Brownsville Economic Development Council.

**Information Systems Support Specialist, Texas Attorney General**

**1995 | Austin, TX**

* Supported statewide Ethernet networks and NetWare 3.12 systems, contributing to hardware upgrades.

**Systems Administrator, Price Village Medical Center**

**1994 – 1995 | Brownsville, TX**

* Implemented Ethernet networks and migrated DOS systems to Windows NT, automating payroll processes.

**Computer Technician, Walk’s Office Technology**

**1992 | Brownsville, TX**

* Built and installed 400+ DOS workstations for Olmito School System, modernizing educational infrastructure.

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**Education**

**Ph.D. Fellowship, Computer Science (Affective Computing)**

**University of Texas at Arlington | 2016 – 2021**

* Pioneered research in Artificial Emotional Intelligence, focusing on micro-expression detection and NLP-driven sentiment analysis.  
* Collaborated on NSF and NASA projects, advancing human-computer interaction.

**M.S., Management – Information Systems Security**

**Colorado Technical University | 2013**

* Specialized in ethical decision-making and cybersecurity.  
* Earned Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

**B.S., Computer Science**

**University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 2005**

* Conducted research on genetic algorithms for intrusion detection, earning Ph.D. recommendations.

**A.A.S., Computer Science Technology**

**Texas State Technical College, Harlingen | 1998**

* Mastered programming, UNIX, and networking, achieving a perfect score in Unix Operating Systems.

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**Key Skills**

**AI & Data Science**

* **Frameworks**: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Caffe, OpenAI, AI21  
* **Techniques**: Deep Learning, NLP, Computer Vision, Predictive Analytics, Feature Selection  
* **Domains**: Affective Computing, Ethical AI, Emotion Recognition, Bias Mitigation

**Systems & Cloud Engineering**

* **Platforms**: AWS, GCP, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible  
* **Expertise**: Cloud Architecture, Network Design, EMC SAN, DevOps, Containerization

**Programming**

* **Languages**: Python, C++, JavaScript, Perl, Bash, AWK, SQL  
* **Tools**: Git, Docker Compose, VMware ESX, Solaris, Linux

**Leadership & Communication**

* Technical Writing, Public Speaking, Mentorship, Community Building, Strategic Planning

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**Awards & Recognition**

* **NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GAANN)**, 2016  
* **NASA Scholarship Award**, 2016: Space WiFi Mobile Network Prototype  
* **NSF REU Research Grant**, 2018: Assistive Technologies for Disabilities

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**Publications**

* **Reverse Engineering Docker Images into Dockerfiles**, 2020: Explored container workflow optimization.  
* **Trapping Hackers with Containerized Deception**, 2020: Detailed cybersecurity strategies using containers.  
* **Raspberry Pi Cluster Emulation with Docker Compose**, 2020: Demonstrated scalable testing environments.  
* **In Preparation**:  
  * *A Survey of Micro Expression Recognition Techniques for Affective Computing Applications*  
  * *Generating Photorealistic Micro Expression Image Data with FACS Features*

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**Community Leadership & Volunteer Experience**

**Principal Founder & Director, Dallas Makerspace**

**2010 – Jul 2020 | Carrollton, TX**

* Founded the world’s largest all-volunteer-run community workshop, establishing governance and bylaws.  
* Fostered a hub for innovation, mentoring leaders and teaching workshops on IoT, cloud engineering, and video production.

**Community Leader, Online PPE Production Group**

**2020 | Remote**

* Coordinated a 500+ member community to produce PPE during the pandemic, managing logistics and distribution.

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**Notable Achievements**

* Founded Dallas Makerspace, a global model for makerspaces (2010).  
* Sold a tech startup at age 22 (1998).  
* Identified critical security vulnerability at Microsoft (1999).  
* Built an IBM PC XT clone at age 13 (1989).

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**Certifications & Training**

* **Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Security**, Colorado Technical University, 2013  
* **Graduate Certificate in Project Management**, Colorado Technical University, 2013  
* **Microsoft Web Development Specialist**, 1999: 240+ hours in web technologies and security.  
* **Sun Microsystems Training**: Security Administration, Network Management, Fault Analysis.

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**Interests**

* Ethical AI, Affective Computing, Recursive Coherence Theory  
* Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Technical Writing  
* Community Innovation, Maker Culture, Mental Health Advocacy

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