Below is a list of my internship experiences.
National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
Cybersecurity Research Intern – Golden, CO – Summer 2025
This past summer, I interned with the Cybersecurity Research Center onsite at the National Laboratory of the Rockies. I had a great experience with the laboratory and I had the opportunity to work on some really neat projects.
On one project, I built a virtualized infrastructure testbed that includes emulated electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and a distribution power grid for cyber attack scenario analysis. This realistic testbed allows researchers to demonstrate attacks on the EV ecosystem and the accurately quantify the impact on our power grid. The project was a success, and it was neat opportunity to research the security of this emerging technology.
My other role was a position on the laboratory’s CyTRICS team, which performs penetration testing on industrial control equipment. I analyzed hardware and firmware vulnerabilities in a common industrial control system device and helped create a report that was eventually shared with the vendor. This was a great chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to something real and impactful.
Main skills and takeaways from this experience:
- Proved ability to create an accurate virtual environment with hundreds of interacting nodes.
- Gained experience in hardware and software penetration testing in a professional environment.
- Learned the EV charging ecosystem.
- Gained experience in the following tools and languages: Python, C, Docker, and Ghidra.
Above is a picture of me hiking Mt. Bierstadt with other interns.
Idaho National Laboratory
Cybersecurity Research Intern – Idaho Falls, ID – Summer 2024 to Spring 2025
This past summer, I interned with the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience department at the Idaho National Laboratory, and I am continuing my work remotely through the academic year. One of my main responsibilities is testing tools created by the lab that analyze firmware vulnerabilities in infrastructure devices.
Some notable tools include @DisCo, a function embeddings generator that allows for fast binary analysis with machine learning, and WiiBin, a binary high-level analysis application. With these tools, I analyze malware samples used in critical infrastructure attacks to generate reports on their architecture and functionality.
I also participated in ICS 301, a week-long industrial controls security course held by the Lab, as well as an ICS oriented CTF held for the interns.
Main skills and takeaways from this experience:
- Gained experience in high-level reverse engineering and analysis of malware.
- Learned the role of security in an industrial controls environment.
- Gained experience in the following tools and languages: Python, Jupyter Notebook, Pytorch.
Above is a picture of me hiking Canyonlands NP with other interns.
Compressor Controls Corporation
Product Management Intern – Des Moines, IA – Summer 2023
After my Sophomore year, I interned for Compressor Controls Corporation on the Product Management team. CCC is a global leader in the turbomachinery controls industry, and I learned a lot about the industrial controls environment through several research projects. I also picked up many valuable professional skills through my experience.
For one project, I had the opportunity to present my research to a team spread across four continents. I also created a set of over 30 training videos for one of CCC’s products.
Main skills and takeaways from this experience:
- Learned about product management.
- Conducted research in a professional environment.
- Practiced professionalism and improved soft skills.
