(Always under revision.)
Personal Information:
Steven Caruso
Highland Park, NJ
(Further information available through email request)
Education:
MLIS, Rutgers University, 2009
Concentrations: Language, Storage and Retrieval, Human-Computer Interaction, General.B.A. Information Technology and Informatics, Rutgers University, 2006
Majors: Information Technology and Informatics, Religion
Concentrations: Human-Computer Interaction, Data-Driven Web Applications, Early Judeo-Christianity, Historical Jesus
Personal Skills and Competences:
Fluent in in English.
Advanced knowledge of French, Biblical Aramaic, Classical Syriac Aramaic, several Jewish Aramaic dialects, and Samaritan Aramaic.
Proficient in other various Aramaic dialects including Old Aramaic and Classical Mandaic Aramaic.
Basic knowledge of Swadaya (Neo-Aramaic), Turoyo (Neo-Aramaic), and Ma’loula (Neo-Aramaic).
Computer/Technical Skills and Competences:
Advanced knowledge of various academic databases and querying languages, including, but not limited to, EBSCO, Dialog, JSTOR, CAL, SEDRA, Google Scholar, ALTA, BAS, Factiva, ComAbstracts, etc.
Fluent in PHP 4/5, MySQL 4/5, Java 1.3-1.5, JavaScript, XML, DHTML, HTML, XHTML, CSS, and AJAX. Proficient in Python, Ruby, C++, Perl, Objective C and several other scripting and programming languages.
Proficient with AACR2, MARC, Dublin Core, FRBR and other library databasing formats/schemas.
Extensive knowledge of Open Source conventions, philosophy and version control systems.
Presentations:
Jacek Gwizdka et. al.. (2008). Redesigning the Rutgers University Library website. Presented at Rutgers University.
Casey Coakley and Steven Caruso. (2004). The Insider’s Guide: Using Macromedia to Welcome First Year Students. Presented at The 8th Annual Enhancing Connections For Student Development Conference, Rutgers University.
George Kiraz and Steven Caruso. (2003). eBethArké: The Syriac Digital Library Project. Presented at the IV North American Syriac Symposium hosted by the Princeton Theological Seminary.
Projects:
English text edition and translation of the Mandaic Book of John (drashia d-malki/drashia d-iahia). (2010-present). Working with Dr. Charles Haberl of Rutgers University and Dr. James McGrath of Butler University.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 5. (2010). The Imperial Aramaic dialog for Darius I of Persia. Firaxis Games & 2K Games.
DARIUS: The Digital Aramaic Research Initiative for Students. (2009-present). An Aramaic language learning tool for ancient and modern dialects.
The Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon. (2008-present). Working with Dr. Steve Kaufman of Hebrew Union College in Ohio, the project is undergoing a complete revision.
eBethArké: The Syriac Digital Library Project. (2002-2004). Credits on volunteers page of Beth Mardutho: The Syriac Institute.
Interviews:
Wolchover, N. (2011). Early Christian lead codices now called fakes. LiveScience.
Edwards, K. (2007). Rip, slash, and tear: Can plundering books be a form of preservation?. Fine Books & Collections Magazine, Sep/Oct.
Employment:
Proprietor, RogueLeaf. (2007-present). Overarching company for the following ventures:
Translator & Artisan, Aramaic Designs (2003-present). Aramaic Designs was integrated into RogueLeaf in 2007.
Consultant, The Nerd Tank: Affordable Web Solutions. (2007-2009). Now part of RogueLeaf.
Tea Blender, RogueLeaf Tea. (2007-present). Part of RogueLeaf.
IT Manager & Webmaster, Cook Campus Center, Rutgers University. (2005-2007).
Webmaster, Livingston College Residence Life, Rutgers University. (2005-2007).
Webmaster & Application Developer, Livingston College Recreation Center, Rutgers University. (2004-2006).
Personal Assistant to the Dean, Livingston College Dean’s Office, First Year Students, Rutgers University. (2003-2004).
Other Skills, Competences, & Eccentricities:
Author of The Aramaic Blog, a research and media resource.
Amateur calligrapher. (2008-2009). Professional (2009-present).
Amateur mycologist. (2007-present).
Amateur astronomer. (2007-present).
Amateur pen-and-paper roleplaying game developer. (2003-present).