Jeff Kopmanis

This page is a bit haphazard, but it serves its purpose as a good jumping-off location...bear with me.


On November 1, 2010, I started in a new position as an Programmer Supervisor with the Biometrics and Outcomes Research Core (BORC) group in the Biostatistics Department of the School of Public Health. It combines Programming, Management and people skills, which I'm finding to be an excellent combination. BORC is a Data Coordination Center (DCC) for a number of multi-site clinical studies.

BORC programmers use a combination of technologies to build the tools for our users, both internal and on-site. Java, JavaScript, Java Server Pages, Oracle, and Microsoft Office are all part of our environment.


In my last job, I was the IT Manager for the Department of Mathematics (http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/computing/).

I have presented on various topics where Math has done some unusual or interesting things:


My "other life" is as a computer consultant who has been seen putting together web sites and database systems for the MSBOA (Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (http://www.msboa.org), the Tri-County Dental Health Council (now part of JVS), the YpsiP.R.I.D.E. Cleanup, and the Monroe High School Alumni Association.

My "other-other life" is as a budding saxophonist playing with 2 bands: a 40's style swing band, the Monroe Big Band (http://monroebigband.com) and a very cool rhythm & blues band, Soul Kitchen (http://soulkitchencooks.com), the in-house Math jazz group, The Wells Street Jazz Project, and finally The Dean Sokoll Project (DSP), a blues/funk recording project.

Here's a decent picture of Soul Kitchen in action...

If you are so-inclined, I've finally found my mouthpiece review/inventory page and plopped it online. Your mileage may vary.


Have I mentioned I'm an astronomy nut? My latest telescope (and the best "fit" so far for my viewing habits) is this fine Celestron NexStar 8SE (below). I saw more objects in my First Light night than in the last 3 years with my other 2 scopes.


The picture is from August 18, 2010--"first light" for the NS8.

And whenever you have astronomy, you must check a Clear Sky Chart to know whether it'll be worth dragging your stuff out....


Jeff Kopmanis * M4533 SPHII * 1415 Washington Heights * Ann Arbor * Michigan * 48109-2029 * 734-936-1009