Statement of Purpose

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:56:37 +0000

Throughout my experiences in industry, from web applications development and design to software development and consulting, I have learned the value of understanding users and their expectations. I have also learned, however, that the lack of knowledge in concepts of User Experience and related user-centered topics hinders most commercial progress.

Most of my interest in computer science, mathematics, and user experience in particular centers around a core belief that all data should be easily accessible, from experts in a field to everyday people and even those that require special assistance. Along with my core belief in the freedom of data, I have had extensive desire in beauty and aesthetics, both through reading excessively about industrial design that shapes our world and through my own artistic pursuits. Over the course of my undergraduate studies, I have made time to informally practice painting and graphic design techniques. I believe that we have a certain responsibility as workers in a creative profession to ensure that our everyday environment continues to inspire and be inspired by the artistic beauty inherent in human creativity.

Early in my professional development, I encountered this central issue of understanding user experience and how a user typically approaches a software interface. Under the guidance of a Creative Director at the University of Alabama, I was instructed in core design principles key to understanding how to effectively and elegantly present data and information. After working with her briefly on a redesign of a cataloging system, I continued to explore more aspects of this topic ranging from the psychological principles of flow and spacial placement to common practices in graphic design that unknowingly seemed to conform and apply such psychological fundamentals.

Another influential experience that has taught me much about theoretical constructs and their applications was my acceptance and participation in the Ross Mathematics Program at the Ohio State University in 2006-2007. This experience helped me formulate an intricate understanding of theoretical mathematics and methods of proof as I and a selection of other high school students from around the country worked through a dense collection of graduate-level number theory problem sets. During this program, I met with major influential mathematicians in fields ranging from game theory and cryptography to algebraic topology and elliptic curves. Having a broad understanding of the mechanics of several deep theoretical fields has allowed me to understand more deeply their relations to everyday situations and problems.

Research on GENI

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:53:36 +0000

Through my work with the GENI Future Networks and Internets project, I was able to explore different aspects of the developing system and issues arising in large-scale dynamic networks in general.

My research focus slowly centered on concepts of security architecture and the necessity for focus on security issues throughout a software development cycle rather than as an additional concern during deployment and maintainance. The GENI development groups have similar concerns, since their efforts are on constructing a to-scale experimental Internet. Such a vast network could obviously become a honeypot to hackers as more and more resources access and are accessed by the growing network testbed.