Alex Macfie

An IT professional with 7 years commercial experience. Skills and experience include data analysis, database administration, technical documentation, user support, systems administration, database development and web development. Gained an MSc (with Distinction) in Advanced IT Using Oracle at the University of Westminster, and currently studying for an MPhil specializing in database security at the same university. Additionally, working towards Oracle Certified Professional status in Database Administration.

IT Skills Summary

• Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS Access
• System Administration: Windows NT, Linux (Red Hat, SUSE)
• Programming: Java, Perl, JavaScript, Prolog, Tcl/Tk
• Excellent technical documentation

Education and Training

2007: Oracle Certification

August 2007: Attended Oracle 10g Administration Workshop I. Working towards Oracle Certified Professional status

2007: University of Westminster: MPhil in Database Security

Extending my previous research work on data security models, such as RBAC, in DBMSs and XML.

2005–2006: University of Westminster: MSc Advanced Information Technologies Using Oracle (Distinction).

• Dissertation: Security Mechanism for Medical Databases using Dynamic RBAC
  • Designed a dynamic RBAC security model for a medical database using Prolog. Implemented the model in Oracle 10g, PostgreSQL and MySQL, using views, triggers, stored procedures (PL/SQL and similar) and meta-data. Analyzed the capabilities of each DBMS in implementing the model. This involved installing and administration of all three DBMSs on various Linux-based computers.
  • My work in this project was assessed as “excellent”.
• Skills/knowledge gained from taught component: PL/SQL, relational logic, database performance tuning, backup & recovery, XML, ontologies, data mining, research

2002: Sun Certified Java Programmer

1993–1997: Keele University: BSc (Hons) Degree (2:1) Computer Science

• Project: Evolutionary Computing Design System
  • Designed and a program for evolving graphical shapes according to the principles of Evolutionary Computing, and implemented it in Tcl/Tk.

• Subsidiary Modules: Management Science, Mathematics (Advanced Calculus)

Secondary School Qualifications

• 1990–1992: 4 A Levels (including Mathematics)
• 1988–1990: 9 GCSEs at grade C or above (including Mathematics and English Language)

Career History

May 2008–present: Database Administrator, Victoria & Albert Museum

August 2004–May 2008: Freelance Technical Editor

• Working from home, editing technical and scientific papers for style and grammar.

• Skills: technical writing

January–April 2005: Reallusion, Taiwan: Technical Writer

• Wrote and corrected user manuals
• Tested software applications
• Skills: technical writing, software testing

February–August 2004: Kojen ELS, Taiwan: English teacher

• Taught English as a foreign language to groups of children.

May 2002–Jan 2004: Rubicon Communications Ltd: Consultant

• Maintained, documented and further developed the web-based virtual conferencing software developed by VEI(qv) in July 2001, using Perl and Javascript.
• Installed and managed the Oracle 8 database and IIS web server on which the software ran.
• Successfully ran several virtual conferences for an EU venture.
• Liaised with software users by telephone.
• Wrote user manuals and system documentation.
• Skills: Oracle, Perl, software testing, technical writing

Jan 2002–May 2002: Strudwick & Young Ltd: Web Developer

• Wrote and modified web-based business applications in server-side Javascript.
• Wrote bespoke VBA applications.
• Skills: Javascript, VBA

Aug 2001–Jan 2002: Contract Software Developer

• Wrote Access/VBA database applications on a consultancy basis.
• Skills: MS Access, VBA

Jan 2000–Jul 2001: Virtual Environments International (VEI): Software Developer

• Wrote, tested and documented a web-based virtual conferencing application, using Perl and PL/SQL, running on an Oracle 8 database.
• Maintained Oracle 8 databases.
• Supervised the running of virtual conferences.
• Wrote from scratch database-driven websites using Perl.
• Skills: Perl, Javascript, database design

Oct 1997–Jan 2000: College of Petroleum & Energy Studies: IT Support Officer

• Managed a Windows NT network (25 workstations, 2 servers).
• First contact for all office IT queries and request.
• Installed and upgraded hardware and software.
• Maintained and managed client database written in MS Access.
• Migrated all company data to the same database system from various data sources.
• Wrote bespoke SQL queries.
• Wrote bespoke MS Access VBA applications.
• Designed databases.
• Liaised with external IT contractors.
• Wrote user and system documentation for software and IT procedures.
• Skills: MS Access, VBA, database design, systems administration

Other Skills

• Excellent writing skills, with a detailed grasp of standard English written expression and grammar/structure.
• Good teaching skills.
• Conversational Spanish and French; basic Japanese and Chinese
• Full UK Driving Licence, own transport.

Contact