In this edition of “Life at Useberry” we explore the world where ideas turn into digital realities. Join us as we spotlight our Development Team, who make up the digital DNA of Useberry and ensure our platform not only functions smoothly but also leads the way in innovation and usability. First thing that comes to your mind when you hear our developers might be “UX developer” but they are so much more! Thy are more than just coders; they are problem solvers and pioneers who transform complex challenges into user friendly solutions. Today, we bring you closer to the individuals behind the code, sharing their stories, inspirations, and the technical prowess that powers Useberry.
Chris Gamvroulas, Lead Developer
Chris Gamvroulas, with six years of technological expertise and nearly five at Useberry, stands at the helm of our development team. A graduate from the Technological Educational Institute of Piraeus (now known as the University of West Attica), Chris embodies a blend of leadership and technical dexterity as a UX developer. Chris brings balance everywhere he goes, exemplified by his favorite out-of-office activity that he calls “Tsip-Out,” the unique combination of Tsipouro* and workout, a personal tradition that is surprisingly effective for relaxing. *(Tsipouro is a strong spirit containing about 40% alcohol, produced from either the pomace or from the wine after the grapes and juice have been separated)
What led you to your role as Head of Development at Useberry, and how do you envision its future?
Being involved in the recreation of the platform, our brainstorming sessions, our issues, and our successes from the early beginning played a major role in acquiring this role. Early on, I have spent many hours discussing and strategizing with Bill (Co-founder & CEO) about the direction of Useberry and the coding groundwork that needed to be done.
I’m envisioning Useberry as the go to tool for an idea to become a product, to update a product or to correct issues that are preventing the product from shining. As a developer working in the UX field, I really love the idea of working on a project that is well thought, researched, analyzed and ready for development. This saves a big part of time not only for developers but for the whole team, and the final result is far better.
Chris, you mentioned Bill’s role in providing direction and assistance to you dating as far back as when you first joined the team. Under your leadership, the dev team has launched major updates such as Useberry 3.0 without a hitch. Could you elaborate on how Bill’s involvement contributed to the team’s success?
Bill has been providing valuable assistance to the dev team, whether we had to research a solution to a tricky problem or needed an extra pair of hands to complete an urgent task. Being the person who has written the most lines of code for the platform, his help in such tasks is essential. Having leadership that not only has a vision for Useberry but also has the technical background to provide advice and even actively contribute to the workload is very inspiring to the whole team.
Can you describe a project you are particularly proud of?
When I first joined Useberry, the platform was up and running, but its “technology” was different, and it didn’t look like the Useberry you see today. The first big project I worked on was to rewrite the platform with new tech and add some new features. So, the project that I’m proud of is Useberry itself as we know it. I can’t really distinguish a specific part of it, this whole project has gone so far since I joined and has helped a lot of people with their workflow, and I am very proud of being part of building it from the ground up.
How do you balance team leadership with hands-on coding tasks?
The team is playing a major role in this. We discuss a lot about what needs to be done as a group, then divide the work based on everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, then proceed. I’m always trying to find the best possible procedures in order to save time for all of us and reach the finish line stress-free. Dev work is already full of “heavy” tasks but having a motivated team makes it feel much lighter.
Could you explain your ‘Tsip-out’ ritual and its role in your work-life balance?
It’s a warm summer evening, circa 2021 AD. The work day was over, and I’m ready for my workout session. I’m meeting with some friends, and we still have some time to spare, so we decided to visit the small tavern nearby. The tavern vibe swept over us, so we ordered some tsipouro. After the first sip, we looked up at the night sky, and the tradition that is now called Tsip-Out was born. The main idea is to have some Tsipouro before, after (or both) the workout, this makes the workout more fun! For me and my exercise buddies, it is something we do to clear our minds and leave behind the struggles of the day so we don’t take it too seriously.
It is also a mentality that I try to apply in my role at Useberry. Stay on target and focus on our objective, if we can get it down in a relaxed manner, there is no reason to stiffen up and add additional stress to the team.
Can you share an inside joke or a running gag that’s unique to the Useberry dev team?
We are not ready to disclose our inside jokes just yet. Stay tuned for the next episode! .. or better yet, join us as a UX developer to find out 😉
Andreas Giannopoulos, Web Developer
Andreas Giannopoulos, who transitioned to web development while studying a different major in college, has been enhancing Useberry’s digital landscape for over a year and a half. His journey into coding started at the university while studying applied mathematics. Andreas realized quickly that his favorite time of the week was when he was taking coding classes and gradually shifted his focus. It was during a coding bootcamp session he realized that this was his true passion. Attracted to the challenges of development work and perhaps the lucrative career that comes with it, he is now a staple of the Useberry development team!
What drew you from mathematics to web development?
I’ve always been good at fixing problems and thinking logically because I love math so much. Initially, I was fascinated by the elegance and complexity of mathematical theories and how they solve abstract problems. It became clear to me as I studied more that I wanted to use these ideas in a more concrete and direct way. Web development interested me because it gives me a creative way to use these skills in a way that is both dynamic and meaningful.
Moving on to web development seemed like an obvious next step for me because it blends analytical rigor with real-world applications effectively. It takes a very precise and logical approach, like solving hard math problems, but it also lets you be creative through design and utility. Combining logic and creativity in web and UX development lets me make things that people use every day, which is incredibly rewarding.
As a “relatively” junior UX developer of Useberry, what has been your most challenging task?
The most challenging task for me has been adapting to the fast-paced tech environment and learning to integrate various technologies into seamless solutions. It’s been a steep learning curve but also very rewarding, as each challenge has significantly enhanced my coding skills and understanding of web applications. The array of technologies and frameworks used here is vast, and learning to integrate these into seamless solutions was initially intimidating.
It felt like I have leveled up my skills with each challenge I’ve faced at Useberry and it has been instrumental in my growth as a UX developer. It is really fun to look back and see how much I’ve learned and how these experiences have prepared me to take on more complex tasks.
Can you share a tip for managing complex coding issues?
When faced with complex coding problems, I find breaking them down into smaller, manageable components incredibly effective. This approach not only simplifies understanding but also allows for tackling each segment thoroughly. Additionally, maintaining a well-annotated codebase and seeking peer reviews can illuminate different perspectives and solutions. We are working very closely as a team at Useberry and whenever I feel stuck, I have a dev team member that I can ask to chip in nearby!
What do you enjoy most about the culture at Useberry?
The culture at Useberry is incredibly supportive and collaborative, which I value highly. There’s a strong emphasis on continuous learning and knowledge sharing, which makes it a great place for personal and professional growth. Everyone is approachable and ready to help, creating a truly motivating and inclusive work environment. But it is not all work and no play. Spoilers.. We have just moved into new premises, and the team is already eyeing one of the offices for a lounge & playroom!
William Karageorgos, Software Engineer
William Karageorgos, is a seasoned software engineer and architect with over two decades of experience spanning academia and the private sector. He has been with Useberry since December 2023, and his extensive expertise in project management, application design, and scientific computing has been invaluable.
William is the academic of the group and holds degrees in Physics and Logic, Algorithms, and Computation. It would be hard to believe, but despite the heavy workload he takes on himself during his professional career, he is also a joint MSC/PhD candidate in high energy physics!
With your extensive experience in both academic and private sectors, what attracted you to join Useberry?
I chose to join Useberry for a few reasons. To begin, this team is truly exceptional. Everyone brings a lot of skill and passion to the table, which made Useberry stand out as a place where I wanted to collaborate. Second, the product itself is very interesting. It’s a challenging task to work as a developer on Useberry, but that pushes me to apply everything I know and gain new experiences in the process. All of these things made the chance at Useberry too good to pass up!
With such a diverse background, how do you apply your academic insights to your daily tasks at Useberry?
One of the cornerstones of training in the formal and physical sciences is acquiring the ability to approximate, model, and explain systems, be they real or thought up, tangible or digital. The pool of tools to do this is constantly expanding and evolving, and oftentimes it can be hard to choose the right ones for the job. However, the stringent requirements in scientific disciplines that one needs to adhere to when solving a variety of problems can prove invaluable down the road.
Are there any principles or methods from your academic work that you have successfully integrated into your UX developer practices at Useberry?
Scientific programming vs. programming for business are two very different beasts; the former usually focuses on performance while the latter on stability, and as such, languages, practices, styles, and set-up in general follow distinct paths. Nevertheless, both worlds stand to benefit from shared expertise, which is something I’ve always been striving for when designing systems, implementing functionality, or training people.
What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve brought from physics to software development?
When talking about physics, people immediately tend to think about math and solving equations. Although that is undoubtedly a significant part of the deal, what’s often overlooked is the importance of people communication; The most important parts of the work actually get done over coffee, talking and sharing ideas with colleagues. It’s similar in software development too, despite its reputation for being a bit solitary. It’s amazing how much gets hashed out when we simply connect and collaborate.
If you had to swap roles with another team member for a week, who would it be and why?
I’d have to say Chris, in order to check out his Tsip-out ritual!
Conclusion
Through the lenses of Chris, Andreas, and William, we get a glimpse of the dedication and creativity that define the spirit of Useberry developers. Each member of our development team whether as a leader, a UX developer, or a web developer, not only contributes unique skills and perspectives but also shares a common commitment to excellence and innovation. Stay tuned to our blog for more stories and insights from the teams that build the very foundations of our user experience.
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