Smoke

I'm Michael

Store Backend

Technologies:
Flask
Python
Docker
JWT Verification
Hashing
SQL

Developed a modular store backend composed of five Flask-based microservices:

  • Users – Handles user registration, salted password hashing, and secure JWT-based authentication.
  • Products – Create, edit, and search for products with fuzzy matching.
  • Orders – Process orders with multiple items, check stock, and calculate totals.
  • Search – Query logs by product name or category, showing product history.
  • Logs – Centralized logging service with permission-based access for viewing user/product event histories.

Each service runs in its own Docker container, coordinated with Docker Compose, allowing for isolated development and easy deployment. JWTs are signed using HMAC SHA-256 and verified across services to ensure secure, role-based access control.

Portfolio Website

Technologies:
HTML
Flask
Python
Google Cloud
JS
NGINX
CertBot
Gunicorn

Built and deployed a personal portfolio website to showcase my projects and skills. This project allowed me to gain hands-on experience with frontend development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with a strong focus on layout, animation, and interactive design

The backend is powered by a Flask application, served through a production-grade deployment stack:

  • Hosted on a Google Cloud virtual machine
  • Uses NGINX as a reverse proxy to a Gunicorn WSGI server
  • Secured with HTTPS via Certbot and a custom domain

Throughout the process, I deepened my understanding of server configuration, cloud infrastructure, and modern web deployment practices. This project also includes a custom contact form that uses JavaScript fetch() to post data asynchronously to the Flask backend — avoiding page reloads and improving UX.

Welcome To My Portfolio

I've worked on a range of software projects — from puzzle platformers and 3D action games to full-stack web applications. I enjoy exploring different areas of software engineering, whether it's graphics programming, game development, or building scalable web systems. My latest and most ambitious project is a fully custom 3D game engine, built from the ground up in C++ using Direct3D 11. Along the way, I've also gained experience with tools and technologies like C#, Python, Unity, Visual Studio, Docker, Git, JavaScript, Flask, SQL, and cloud platforms, allowing me to approach challenges from both frontend and backend perspectives.

About Me

Michael Biggar standing on a university campus, wearing casual attire

Michael T. Biggar

Software Engineer

Michael Biggar standing on a university campus, wearing casual attire

Michael T. Biggar

Software Engineer

Hey! I'm Michael Biggar — a computer science student at MSU and all-around tech enthusiast who loves building interactive experiences, whether that's crafting a game mechanic or spinning up a web app.

I've spent time working with all kinds of tools and languages like C++, Python, Java, SQL, HTML/CSS, and even Bash, and I use Git pretty much every day.

I've dived into graphics programming with Direct3D 11, built games in Unity, and worked on full-stack web development using Flask, JavaScript, and Google Cloud.

I really enjoy problem-solving — whether it's putting together a rendering pipeline or building out a backend that actually scales.

Outside of coding, I like staying active (I used to wrestle competitively), hanging out with my fraternity brothers at Triangle, and playing or making games in my free time.

I'm always experimenting with new ideas and projects — just trying to learn as much as I can and have fun with it along the way.

Download Resume

My Journey

💼
Years Experience
3+
💻
Projects
30+
📑
MSU
4.0
📘
Hudsonville
4.08

My Skills

HLSL
D3D11

My Interests

🎵
Music
🎮
Games
💪
Exercising
Close-up photo of a cat named Mango with orange fur
Cats

Contact

Get In Touch

I'm always open to connecting with others — whether it's to discuss sofware development, graphics programming, or new creative ideas.

If you'd like to get in touch, feel free to send me a message. I'd love to hear from you!

📱
📍

Location

Hudsonville, MI, USA

Response Time

Within 24 hours

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