Paid Cybersecurity Systems Junior Analyst (Jun-Aug 2024)
During my paid internship with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), I had the opportunity to enhance my professional skills while exploring the field of cybersecurity. The seven-week program began with a two-week Professional Skills Bootcamp, where I participated in a Tech Duels debate and won first place by ardently defending the position that artificial intelligence is a job creator. Additionally, I networked with prominent leaders in the technology field such as Vint Cerf, often recognized as the father of the internet, and Noelle Russell, famous for her contribution to Amazon's Alexa. In the subsequent five weeks, I interned at Solvitur Systems LLC, where I developed a 98% accurate SGD classification model to distinguish between safe and spam emails, and trained a large language model on 18,000 emails to generate realistic phishing attacks. These projects allowed me to play a role in utilizing artificial intelligence tools to advance the cybersecurity field.
Link to Solvitur Systems LLC Website: https://www.solvitursystems.com/
AI/ML Intern for AI4Defense Scholars Program (Jun-Jul 2024)
Selected to intern with George Mason University’s AI4Defense program, I explored the applications of artificial intelligence in addressing national defense challenges. This program aims to shape the next generation of innovators in the context of national security, with mentorship from professionals collaborating with the Department of Defense, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Security Innovation Network.
During my internship, I tackled a significant challenge faced by Department of Defense (DoD) personnel: the labor-intensive task of searching through the 3,000+ page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for vital information. Collaborating with Allen Vance, the Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Digital Service, I developed TermTrack, a natural language processing and text-analysis app that analyzes the frequency of geopolitical terms in the NDAA, aiding personnel in identifying shifts in national defense priorities. To improve the tool further, I added a budget analysis feature to this app that allows personnel to track sector-wide funding allocations. I had the privilege of presenting my product at the George Mason University symposium, where I placed 2nd. Moreover, DDS Director Jennifer Hay was so impressed with my product that it was proposed for integration into DoD systems, marking a monumental step toward enhancing information accessibility for DoD personnel.
Link to AI4Defense Program Website: https://ai4defense.org/
Global High School AI Research Program Intern (Jun-Jul 2024)
During a highly competitive internship, I was honored to be selected as one of only 10 interns from 800 applicants for The Coding School High School Artificial Intelligence Research Program. As an intern, I collaborated with Lev Paciorkowski, a PhD candidate from Washington University, to develop a research project focused on using a random forest model to forecast terrorist deaths in the United States. Terrorism continues to be a significant global threat, causing immense loss of life, economic disruption, and psychological impact. In the United States, predicting terrorist activities can benefit the Department of Defense and Homeland Security as effective prediction models can help allocate resources, improve preparedness, and develop proactive counter-terrorism strategies. My work emphasized the potential of using machine learning to accurately forecast terrorist deaths, with the hope of preventing future attacks and minimizing casualties.
Workplace Ergonomics Analyst (Jun-Aug 2022)
While interning at JFAssociates Inc., I conducted data and time analyses for class action lawsuits related to off-the-clock work. I assessed video footage to simultaneously track unpaid tasks, such as PPE donning and doffing, by the second for Cisco and Hollister workers using Excel, which was crucial to the litigation process. Additionally, I performed motion studies aimed at improving labor standards and eliminating delays within various processes. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the importance of data-driven decision-making in promoting efficiency and fairness in the workplace, as well as the legal and operational aspects of labor issues.
Link to JFAssociates Inc. Website: https://jfa-inc.com/