JOE BONES
A little about me
About Joe
I’m a fullstack systems engineer delivering production infrastructure for operational and research environments.
My research background is in computational biophysics and structural biology. I completed my undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at the Australian National University, graduating with First Class Honours in Biophysics. I went on to pursue doctoral research in the same field, publishing work in Nature and Science Advances on immune system proteins—involving deciphering the structural impact of mutations in TLR7 and DECTIN1 protein systems that impact real people.
I paused my PhD to build SelfTherapy—a comprehensive full-stack AI-integrated mental health platform designed to provide accessible therapeutic support across web, iOS, and Android. The project emerged from seeing the gap between mental health needs and available support, particularly for people who need immediate, affordable, and effective assistance when traditional therapy isn’t accessible. As CTO, I architected the entire Django/Flutter system with multi-layered safety governance, and got a GradDip in Counselling to support it. The system was adapted for the military context and is under research trial consideration.
I currently live in Canberra, Australia with my dog Navi.
Skills
Research, Data & Science
I conduct data-intensive research combining computational analysis, statistical modelling, and high-performance computing. I work with large-scale datasets to quantify complex systems, validate models, and interpret uncertainty. My expertise is in biophysics, where my PHD involved translating technical findings into actionable insights for fundamental research and drug design. I have broad and synthetic scientific literacy across many disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, geology, earth science, and psychology.
Software Engineering
I’m CTO leading the full-stack development of production applications. I architect and build backends (Django, Python), cross-platform mobile frontends (Flutter), and web interfaces (Flutter, Vue.js, WordPress). I’ve designed AI-assisted systems with a focus on beautiful user experiences, risk management, and safety—using structured experiments and empirical evidence to guide technical decisions. Proficient in Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Dart, Bash, Git, PostreSQL, CI/CD, Scrum, and deployment on Heroku and wiring into Google Cloud/Firebase, with experience in Azure.
Design & Communication
I create branding, coherent designs, and digital experiences using Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and modern web technologies. I develop data visualisations, design functional interfaces, and communicate complex concepts through frontend development, reports, and clear communication tailored to specific audiences.
Mental Health & Psychology
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Counselling with training in therapeutic practice and professional ethics. I have deep understanding and direct experience across multiple psychotherapy, contemplative, and trauma-informed frameworks, which informs all my work designing and building systems that interact with human wellbeing. I’m conscious and considerate of the multifaceted impact that science, AI, systems and policy have at the individual level.
Global Perspective
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, which provided training in geopolitical ideology, institutional dynamics, and history. This background enables me to situate technical work within broader policy and cultural contexts and to consider interacting worldviews inherent in the spaces between governments, military, commercial, and research stakeholders.
Interests
I’ve always been drawn to novel technology. Today I play around with AI systems and automation to manage the stuff best left on autopilot.
I do what I can to create space for creative hobbies: photography, various musical instruments, 3D printing, miniatures, and foreign languages.
A big part of my life involves embodied practices: mobility and weight training, mixed martial arts, meditation, hiking, and camping.
I love spending time with my communities and friends.