Samuel Rocco

Hello! I'm

Samuel Rocco

About Me

I am a recent graduate, at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science under the ABET accredited Languages and Systems track. Through my years of experience and learning, I have developed a strong and skilled background in software engineering with proficiency in multiple front-end and back-end languages and frameworks, software development and operations, and research. The Languages and Systems track prepared me for system-level programming and operating systems, as well as high-level concepts such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Large Language Models. In my experiences, I have worked within the IUP Mathematics and Computer Science Department for multiple years, having been assigned to three research projects each respectively dealing with ML Data Analysis, Zero Trust Network Security, and Image Processing for Neural Networks, with each utilizing programming and software development skills. Along with this, I have gained proficient knowledge of different programming languages and the proper practices as the IUP Tutor for the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.

Listed below are my skills that I have acquired, along with projects and experiences listed in more detail.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Cum Laude

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

August 2020 – May 2024

Major: Computer Science (Languages and Systems Track)

Minor: Mathematics

Major GPA: 3.78/4.0

Overall GPA: 3.33/4.0

Relevant Coursework:

Data Structures and Algorithms: In-depth study of algorithm design, complexity analysis , and data organization techniques.
Operating Systems: Explored concepts like interrupt services, process states and transitions, threads, scheduling algorithms, synchronization tools, deadlocks, virtualization, memory management of (main and virtual), storage devices management, file systems, and operating systems security.
Database Systems: Focused on database design, SQL, and data management strategies.
Software Engineering Practices: Learned key software engineering concepts, including tools, procedures, and methodologies for developing and maintaining software systems. The course provided an in-depth overview of the software life cycle, along with hands-on exercises to reinforce current methodologies, tools, and techniques for each phase. As well as planning, design, and implementation of large software systems using software engineering techniques.
Artificial Intelligence: Gained practical experience in both classical and modern AI techniques, including state space search, logical inference, expert systems, optimization, knowledge representation, machine learning, uncertainty handling, and soft computing.
Web Application Development: Learned the core architecture of web-based applications, including client-side development with XHTML/CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. I used AJAX for asynchronous updates and SQL for database access. I also developed distributed applications and focused on the best practices in usability, internationalization, security, and W3C accessibility standards.
Unix Systems: Learned the features, syntax, and applications of Unix, including its history. The course covered utilities, system administration, development environments, and networking, with a focus on distributed systems, client-server computing, and web services.

Experience

NCAE-C Automated Risk Mitigation for Zero Trust Architecture (ARMZTA) Researcher

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | April 2023 – August 2023

fig: https://www.iup.edu/cybersecurity/images/Grants/ncae-c-armzta/architecture.png

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Technologies Used: Python, Network Security, Collaborative Machine Learning

Developed the incorporation of collaborative machine learning in to the NIST Zero Trust Architecture.
Edited and reviewed rough draft publications on the novel framework.
Collaborated with a team to find the optimal path of efficiently and success within the novel architecture.
Assisted in building a simulated corporate network to test the newly developed architecture.

NCAE-C IoT Anomoly Detection Researcher

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | April 2023 – August 2023

fig: https://www.iup.edu/cybersecurity/images/Grants/IoT_Anomaly_Detection_Research/iot-device-diagram.png

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Technologies Used: Python, MATLAB, Machine Learning, Scikit-learn t-SNE, Wireshark, Network Security, MultiThreading

Utilized machine learning to detect and stop anomalous security threats on a network in real time.
Developed python scripts, with the Scikit-learn t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding, to assist in the visualization of network data.
Continued ongoing research from prior newly graduated students.

Optical Character Recognition Researcher

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | January 2024 – May2024

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Technologies Used: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, Python, File Management, Matplotlib, PyWebView, NumPy

Collaborated, one-on-one, with associate professor in research work dedicated to character recognition in hand written manuscripts.
Utilized machine learning, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to facilitate the creation of ground truth data from handwritten manuscripts.
Developed the backend and the interface for the character recognition software application.

Mathematics and Computer Science (MACS) Department Tutor

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | September 2022 – December 2023

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Assisted students with assignments and projects in various computer science courses.
Tutored high-level courses including Assembly Language, Data Structures and Algorithms, and Object-Oriented Programming.
Demonstrated an understanding of required course topics.

IUP GenCyber Student Worker

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | September 2022 – May 2023

fig: https://www.iup.edu/cybersecurity/images/Grants/IUP_GenCyber/gencyber-logo-737px.png

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Developed teaching material for camp modules on cybersecurity topics.
Assisted in teaching and monitoring camp attendees and led hands-on activities.
Gained knowledge in red team strategies, steganography, social engineering, and network trafficking.

Extra:

Cybersecurity Club: Collaborated with peers to discuss new security advances. Learned cybersecurity concepts such as open-source intelligence, cryptography, and reverse engineering. Represented IUP in cyber games, hackathons, and capture-the-flag competitions.
NCAE Cyber Games: Represented IUP in the Northeast regional competitions. Demonstrated skills in networking and routing, Linux, cryptography, malware analysis, and different CTF topics. Developed teamwork skills in a collaborative environment.

Portfolio

Undergraduate Summer Opportunities for Applying Research (U-SOAR):
Using GANs for Image De-noising

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | May 2023 – August 2023

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Technologies Used: Python, TensorFlow, Matplotlib, Pandas, NumPy

Conducted research on utilizing Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to mitigate noise from images.
Designed and implemented a GAN model trained on the current image while attempting to de-noise in real time, all done while achieving a significant improvement in image clarity.
Presented findings at the 2023 U-SOAR Research Symposium.
Collaborated with faculty advisors to refine the model and explore potential applications in computer vision, and utilizing GAN for real-time network security.

Solitaire

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Technologies Used: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX

Challenged myself to recreate the game of solitaire utilizing front-end development and the DOM.
Implementation of the local storage of the browser was also utilized to keep the undo states of each move up to 10 turns.