Post-Graduate Work
Continuing my studies in IT, I am focused on issues concerning self-driving cars, deep learning, artificial intelligence and robotics, functional safety, intrusion detection and prevention, business strategies, and governance/regulation of autonomous vehicles.
The purpose of the quantitative non-experimental descriptive study at the heart of this degree is to further examine the relationship between regulatory requirements, consumer expectations, and existing autonomous vehicle development practices as perceived by hardware and software developers working on self-driving cars. This study expands on the findings of my previous study to provide more generalizable results from a larger sample.
Doctor in Information Technology
Walden University, USA – 2019
The purpose of the qualitative multiple case study for this degree was to explore the strategies some IT hardware and software developers of self-driving cars use to adapt traditional vehicle design frameworks to address consumer and regulatory requirements in autonomous vehicle designs. The targeted population consisted of autonomous driving technology software and hardware developers from two or more organizations and who are currently working on fully autonomous driving technologies, regardless of geographic location.
Master of Science in Cybersecurity Studies
American Public University, USA – 2021
My focus here is on information security systems and, in particular, investigating issues related to securing automotive networks and computer systems. These systems become increasingly complex and important, and malicious actors will not hesitate to exploit vulnerabilities and wreak havoc. Understanding the challenges and safety requirements for these systems is an important aspect of my work.
Master of Science in Information Technology
American Public University, USA – 2014
My studies primarily focused on information security and assurance, including how to secure fixed and mobile computer networks, developing disaster recovery plans and systems, creating backup systems through redundancy or hot/cold-type implementations, and managing local and distributed networks of varying sizes. My Master’s thesis explored global credit card transaction and processing systems, their vulnerabilities, and the common approaches malicious actors use to breach and compromise these networks.
Graduate Work
I focused my graduate work on Cybersecurity, Information Warfare, Digital Forensics, and, in particular, network security. These are pressing issues that plague users and administrators around the world, and they become even more important with the advent of autonomous and semi-autonomous decision-making systems.
Undergraduate Work
My undergraduate work set the foundation for my future studies by examining human psychology, motivations, intentions, and behaviors as they relate to cyber warfare and terrorism, but also user interfacing and interpersonal interactions at the workplace or within groups and organizations.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor Sociology
American Public University, USA – 2012
Understanding how humans think, learn, interact, perceive, and create belief systems has been a driving factor for me and why I pursued this degree initially. The knowledge gained here set the foundation for my future studies and focus on the perceptions and motivations of individuals and groups rather than the physical elements of technologies alone. In retrospect, this knowledge continues to motivate and influence me, as it applies to autonomous driving and the design processes that push this technology forward.
AWS Certified Machine Leaning
Amazon Web Services, USA – 2020
The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty certification is intended for individuals who perform a development or data science role. It validates a candidate’s ability to design, implement, deploy, and maintain machine learning (ML) solutions for given business problems.
AWS Certified Developer Associate
Amazon Web Services, USA – 2020
The AWS Certified Developer – Associate examination is intended for individuals who perform a development role and have one or more years of hands-on experience developing and maintaining an AWS-based application.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services, USA – 2020
Certificate focused on understanding various AWS services and how to use them effectively and efficiently to deploy and use assets in the cloud.
Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics
American Public University, USA – 2016
My studies focused on intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and forensic data analysis in conventional, mobile, and telecommunication networks, as well as techniques for securing these systems.
Certified Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pilot
Federal Aviation Administration, USA – since 2016
Required to legally operate small unmanned aerial vehicles commercially in US airspace.
Undergraduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies
American Public University, USA – 2012
I was initially very interested in understanding what motivates individuals and groups to commit acts of terrorism. As my studies evolved, I gained valuable insights into these matters, but also learned about information and cyber warfare, methods and techniques for infiltrating systems, and recommended approaches for securing devices and networks against these attacks. This knowledge would influence my studies for many years and has since evolved into a focus on functional safety related to autonomous vehicles.
Certifications
Specific certifications related to previous and current work.