Open to opportunities

Charles Zhao

@charleszhao

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Aspiring cybersecurity engineer with hands-on experience in software development.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I am looking for a role that challenges me and promotes continuous learning in cybersecurity.

I am a dedicated and passionate cybersecurity engineer currently pursuing my Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. With a solid foundation in networking and cybersecurity, I have gained valuable experience through internships at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where I contributed to enhancing development efficiency and network security.

During my time as a Cybersecurity Intern, I successfully built a dynamic web application for the Department of Homeland Security using the MEAN stack, which significantly improved data management capabilities. Additionally, I developed Python scripts that enhanced threat detection and network security monitoring, showcasing my ability to apply technical skills to real-world challenges.

My commitment to education is reflected in my role as a Teaching Assistant at Coding STEM Academy, where I empowered middle-school students to explore programming through hands-on projects. I am eager to leverage my skills and experiences in a challenging cybersecurity role that fosters growth and innovation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Cybersecurity Intern

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

May 2024 - Aug 2024 (3 months)

Improved development efficiency for lead developers by building unit and integration tests using Python (sqlite3, psycopg2, pytest), reducing debugging time and ensuring CI/CD compatibility.

Python SQLite3 Psycopg2 Pytest Unit Testing Integration Testing CI CD

Cybersecurity Intern

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

May 2023 - Aug 2023 (3 months)

Built a dynamic web application for the Department of Homeland Security using the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express, Angular, Node), delivering a scalable and efficient solution for enhanced data management. Developed a Python script to efficiently parse reports and identify suspicious IP addresses and domains interacting with a network, improving threat detection and network security monitoring.

MongoDB Express Angular Node MEAN stack Python Web Development Threat Detection Network Security

Teaching Assistant

Coding STEM Academy

Jun 2016 - Aug 2018 (2 years 2 months)

Facilitated learning by guiding and empowering middle-school students to create their own games using Scratch and Java programming, fostering a hands-on, interactive educational experience.

Java Teaching Curriculum Development

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Virginia Tech

Master of Engineering, Computer Engineering

Pursuing a Master of Engineering degree with a focus on advanced topics in computer engineering. Engaged in specialized coursework and research within the field.

Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, Networking & Cybersecurity

Grade: Magna Cum Laude; IC CAE Scholar; SFS CyberCorps Scholar

Completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a major in Networking & Cybersecurity. Studied core computer engineering principles and specialized in network security and cybersecurity concepts.