Nelson Alvarez

Growing as a Tech Professional on Two Continents

Nelson Alvarez has gained a vast appreciation for technology’s reach in a short amount of time since graduating from Capitol Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

After just one year as a Healthcare Integration & Interoperability Engineer and System Administrator for the international tech company, the Loccioni Group, Alvarez visited the company’s headquarters between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea in eastern Italy. 

“One of the first things that you learn about the Loccioni corporate culture is that relationships matter far more than you might expect,” says Alvarez. 

Soon after arriving, the Loccioni Group sent Alvarez to one of their regional European locations for additional immersion and training in cultural perspectives and problem-solving approaches.

“I learned a lot,” Alvarez said. “It was my first trip abroad, and in meeting my peers and managers, I learned that problem-solving in this field requires seeing the situation and context from a more 360-degree point of view. I saw how different people approach similar situations. It opened my eyes to how technology is only as strong or reliable as the people who keep it evolving.” 

Robotic Systems in Health Care

The Loccioni Group’s USA location serves the healthcare system by deploying and integrating APOTECA chemo robotic systems for chemotherapy drug compounding personalized medicine – i.e. customizing medications to meet specific patient needs. The Apoteca Community is an international network that includes U.S. healthcare professionals and focuses on advancing hospital pharmacy technologies. Loccioni fosters user engagement through initiatives and partnerships like these. Alvarez says that his interactions with end-users throughout this process have deepened his awareness of why technology matters and how important it is to keep it operational.

“These are very sophisticated robotic systems,” Alvarez says, “A lot of people are required for the system to operate. One of the things I am learning as I talk to more experienced people is that I need to consider the human aspect. When you work a lot with software, you can easily forget the human part.”

This robotic system has been adopted by prominent academic medical centers such as Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital and specific advanced oncology centers such as the Solove Research Institute to improve patient outcomes.

“Because these systems operate within a hospital, there is a lot of integration with large hospital information systems,” Alvarez says. “I am learning that these projects come with a history and that what’s happened before can help you solve the next challenge. It helps to have a co-worker who can fill in the knowledge gaps.”

Alvarez explains that oncology pharmacies face many challenges not only with the technology integration process but with tailoring sterile and accurate compounded medications. These aspects are based on real-time lab results and input from the pharmacy team, including the need to ensure worker safety, documentation of each procedure, and meeting the need for extreme precision—which is where the robotic system brings definitive value.

Gratitude for the Capitol Tech Community

Alvarez knows that he can call upon his education, strong network of fellow graduates, and former faculty for moral and technical support. 

While at Capitol Tech, Alvarez learned the practical skills in programming and computer engineering that would help him stand out amongst his peers and prepare him for a successful internship and later, career. As one of his projects, he created a mobile application called the Chargers Link–an app for Android and iOS devices to help improve communications and alerts for students via one-click access to the university’s online resources.

“At Capitol Tech, students are encouraged to pursue internships and other work opportunities early in their academic careers,” Alvarez says. “Those experiences taught me how to manage my time better, both in and out of school.”

Alvarez landed his first internship as a sophomore and turned to his circle of friends—all of whom found themselves in similar circumstances—for advice. 

“We shared a ‘grind as long you have to’ worth ethic. We had been programming since high school, and all stepped into the work-world about the same time. We’re all in the D.C. area, and everyone is doing amazing work.”

He knows that each of them owes a debt of gratitude to Capitol Tech faculty and staff.

"Dr. Butler and the faculty provided a supportive environment for me to build confidence at an early stage in my college journey," Alvarez says. "My confidence grew during my time at the university as I developed technical skillsets and collaborated with fellow students and mentors."

Like many students, Alvarez navigated financial hurdles and obstacles. “What I will remember most is walking into the financial aid office and finding people willing to answer my questions. And I had a lot of questions. I wouldn’t be here today without their help and kindness.”