Graduation Date:  May 2021

Hometown:  Sunnyside, NY

Major:  Computer Engineering

Why I decided to enroll at the University of Maryland:  The University of Maryland's prestige, and the opportunities it offers to match, were the driving factors for my decision to enroll. The university is a premier research institution, and offers its students plenty of opportunities to pursue their interests through its various clubs and research programs.

Why I chose engineering:  Mathematics and science were always my primary interests throughout my years in primary school. However, material advancements of the human condition have been brought about by the application of these tools to practical things, such as agriculture or production. Engineering was the logical choice for me, since it allows me to combine principles from the subjects I love with practical considerations to make ideas viable.

Activities I do outside of class:  My main activities outside of class are machine learning research for my Gemstone research team, and University of Maryland's Cybersecurity Club (CSEC). The research involves finding novel applications or methods to improve the interpretability of complex models used for drug screening. CSEC involves learning about vulnerabilities in applications.

Honors and awards I have received at Maryland:  I am part of the Gemstone Honors Program, a four-year program which connects students with faculty to pursue research projects. I have also been honored on the Dean's List for multiple academic years.

After graduation, I plan to:  After graduation, I plan to work in industry, preferably in a role designing and implementing automated systems, or in automated systems research. I do not have a preference particularly where, only that the role and compensation be sufficient. I also plan to eventually return and pursue more advanced education later in my career.