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Aavash Tiwari

Aavash Tiwari

Frontend & Data Engineering Lead

Computer Science major & Economics minor student leveraging data handling and frontend development to optimize AI-enabled IT support solutions.

Abdelrahman Teima

Abdelrahman Teima

CS freshman at USM. ICPC Gold medalist, Systems programmer with strong C++ foundations. Co-creator of Found.It, contributing data processing components. Leads cryptographic tooling, OpenSSL integration, and audit logging.

Abdurrahman Oyediran

Abdurrahman Oyediran

Automation & Workflow Developer

I am a Computer Science student at the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating in May 2026. I chose Computer Science because I enjoy solving problems and building things that actually work in the real world. My goal is not just to earn a degree, but to become a well-rounded developer who can design efficient systems, think critically, and continuously grow in the tech industry.

Abhishek Humagain

Abhishek Humagain

AI Systems & Workflow Engineer

I am a graduate student in Computer Science at Mississippi State University with a passion for building innovative technology that solves real-world problems. With experience as a software engineer, team lead, and academic tutor, I enjoy combining technical expertise with creativity to develop scalable and impactful solutions. My interests lie in software architecture, distributed systems, and artificial intelligence, and I am driven by continuous learning, collaboration, and the goal of turning ideas into meaningful products that make a difference.

Aditya Sharma

Aditya Sharma

Aditya is a junior Computer Science major at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is from Kathmandu, Nepal. He is active within student organizations like NSA and the Nations.

Aditya Singh

Aditya Singh

Developer

Undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at Mississippi State University with expertise in full-stack development, Python, and AI systems. Serves as the lead developer for this project, responsible for system architecture, LLM integration, call routing logic, and implementation of the triage agent.

Allen Fowler

Allen Fowler

Backend & Data Developer

I am a computer science student at the University of Southern Mississippi, I plan to graduate in May 2026. I have an Associates degree from East Mississippi Community College and I plan to use my education to give myself a stepping stone into the IT side of careers. I love helping people and I want to solve computer issues and build computers for a career. While being a full time online student at night, during the day I sell cars. This is just another way I can help people while doing my everyday tasks.

Amiyah McCall

Amiyah McCall

Amiyah McCall, a sophomore undergraduate political science student at Mississippi State University, currently holds the position of Special Organizations Senator within the Student Association and serves as a student worker for the MSU Center for Cyber Education.

Ander Talley

Ander Talley

Ander Talley is pursuing his master's degree in computer science at Mississippi State University. He is currently a member of the High-Fidelity Virtual Environments Lab, studying ways to construct efficient neural network architectures for use on edge devices such as standalone virtual reality headsets. He played the bass horn in the Famous Maroon Band during his undergraduate years. Ander is the proud father of three adorable cats, Cora, Maggie, and Melvin.

Anoop Mishra

Anoop Mishra

AI Modeling & Fraud Detection Lead

I am currently pursuing dual majors in Computer Science and Mathematics at Mississippi State University. My interests center on AI/ML, systems engineering, automation, and data-driven infrastructure. Through research and student work, I have gained experience with Linux systems, network security, and building pipelines that ingest, clean, and host millions of data points for future analysis and real-time applications. I am also interested in the intersection of technology, biology, and medicine, especially using intelligent systems to solve practical biomedical and healthcare challenges.

Ava Grace Noe

Ava Grace Noe

Ava Grace Noe is a sophomore Honors English major with minors in Creative Writing and Pre-Law at Mississippi State University. She is from Paris, Mississippi. She is active within the MSU Student Association, Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity, and Pi Beta Phi Women’s Fraternity.

Basile Tomeho

Basile Tomeho

Basile Tomeho is a first-year graduate student at Mississippi State University studying agricultural economics. She was born and raised in Benin and later graduated from the University of Ghana with a bachelor's degree in agribusiness. Her academic interests include rural development, resource management, sustainability, and food security policy, with the long-term goal of contributing to data-driven solutions that strengthen food systems.

Bibas Kandel

Bibas Kandel

Bibas Kandel is pursuing his B.S. in Computer Science at The University of Southern Mississippi (’27), with minors in Mathematics, Information Technology, and Economic Data Analysis. He currently works as a Software Development Associate at ArroyoDev, where he builds secure, cross-platform tooling for IoT diagnostics. He also serves as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Advanced Analytics and Security, developing cloud-native data and ML systems like a NOAA World Ocean Database pipeline (Icechunk/Dask/Zarr) and a natural-language interface for querying multi-terabyte datasets.

Bipul Adhikari

Bipul Adhikari

Bipul is a junior majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is from Nepal and is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

He is currently a student developer at the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research and Innovation at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also working as a Software Developer Associate in a part-time internship at Arroyodev, LLC. In his free time, Bipul likes playing badminton and traveling to new places.

Bishal Bagale

Bishal Bagale

Data Engineer

Manages data pipelines and open-source integration to ensure robust handling of transcript datasets.

Brady Moore

Brady Moore

Front End & Interface Developer

I’m a Computer Science major working towards my second degree with my first being in Political Science from Ole Miss. I worked as an app developer under a contract for a public utility company for a year and successfully published a public utility data visualization app to both Apple and Google storefronts in 2024. I’m currently living in Nashville, TN with my wife working as a legal assistant whilst I finish out my current degree.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman

Brycie Wiseman is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at The University of Southern Mississippi. She serves as the App Lab Coordinator, where she teaches SwiftUI and iOS development and mentors students across disciplines in mobile app design and AI-driven projects.

Brycie’s research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision, particularly evaluating the limits of AI-based image segmentation under noisy conditions. Her work explores the reliability of neural network architectures such as UNet for object detection and measurement tasks. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies.

Cedric Roberson

Cedric Roberson

AI Systems & Data Processing

Cedric is an Artificial Intelligence major working towards my first degree at Mississippi State University. During his time here at Mississippi State, he has developed a passion in research projects involving Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud development and Cybersecurity. His goal is to combine all these technical domains to create solutions and innovations surrounding STEM fields that enhance the knowledge about the unknown.

Devin Chen

Devin Chen

Devin Chen is a senior majoring in Cybersecurity Operations with double minors in Russian and Mathematics at Mississippi State University. Originally from Louisville, MS, he hopes to pursue a PhD in Computer Science towards the career goal of working in applied cybersecurity as it applies to AI systems on robotic platforms.

Dikesh Shrestha

Dikesh Shrestha

Systems Integration & Full Stack Lead

Computer Science student minoring in communication. Experienced in docker, APIs, full stack development.

Dikshant Aryal

Dikshant Aryal

Backend & Infrastructure Lead

Computer Science and Mathematics student with experience in backend engineering, API design, and system integration. Skilled in Python, FastAPI, and structured application architecture. Focused on building reliable, secure systems that integrate AI components into real-world workflows.

Gunjan Sah

Gunjan Sah

Gunjan Sah is an AI Engineer, tech entrepreneur, and Honors scholar pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Gunjan uses his academic excellence with practical innovation, serving as a Defense Innovation Summer Fellow (DISF 2025), interning as data analyst at Grove Transit, Research Assistant at Institute for Advanced analytics and society (USM). He is also committed to community leadership: served as the Vice President of the USM Nepalese Students Association (250+ members), National Associate Editor for the NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research, International Student Ambassador & Mentor at USM.

Haad Imran

Haad Imran

CS sophomore at USM. Python specialist and backend engineer. Co-creator of Found.It, contributing core search and indexing logic. Leads automation pipeline development and certificate lifecycle orchestration.

Jeevan Karki

Jeevan Karki

Jeevan is a junior majoring in Applied Economics and Accounting at the University of Southern Mississippi. Originally from Nepal and now residing in Hattiesburg, he is interning at Holt & Associates LLC, gaining hands-on experience in taxation and auditing, while also working as an accounting tutor for the School of Accountancy.

Jeevan has been selected for leadership programs, including the Eagler Scholar Program at Southern Miss, and serves as the president of the Badminton Club.

Jeffrey Nyabor

Jeffrey Nyabor 

Jeffrey Nyabor is a first-year PhD student in Public Policy and Administration at Mississippi State University, where he earned his M.A. in Communication. He is pursuing a career in public affairs and communication strategy, with a focus on effective governance and civic engagement. 

Kaci McDill

Kaci McDill

Kaci McDill is a Master of Applied Data Science student at Mississippi State University. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration, both from MSU, and is interested in exploring how data analytics can enhance decision-making within data science.

Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma is a junior Computer Science major with a minor in Mathematics and a member of the Honors College at the University of Southern Mississippi. Originally from Nepal, he is currently working as a research assistant at the Institute for Advanced Analytics and Security (IAAS) on a collaborative project with NOAA. He plans to pursue a career as a data scientist and researcher, focusing on applying advanced computational methods to real-world challenges.

Kavya Gautam

Kavya Gautam

Junior Computer Science major at Mississippi State University. President of the ACM SIGHPC student chapter and undergraduate researcher with a focus on AI, Data Engineering, and Cloud technologies.

Kelah McFarland-Barnes

Kelah McFarland-Barnes

Mentor

Kelah McFarland-Barnes is an innovative software engineer with 7 years of experience with the federal government. Kelah has served as an applications developer and software project manager for USACE (ERDC) of Vicksburg, MS, a patent examiner for USPTO, and Adjunct Instructor for University of Southern Mississippi.

Kelah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Mississippi State University. Kelah is committed to using technology as a tool for education and empowerment in STEM. Kelah seeks to blend creativity, technical skill, and professionalism to develop meaningful solutions and foster opportunities that help individuals thrive and achieve success.

Kevon Scales

Kevon Scales

Backend & Data Developer

I’m a Computer Science student at the University of Southern Mississippi, expected to graduate in May 2026. I previously earned an Associate’s degree from East Mississippi Community College. My background includes research in biomedical engineering, data analysis, medical device development, AI-related projects, 3D-printing applications. I’m passionate about applying technology to solve real-world, interdisciplinary problems.

Mandip Adhikari 

Mandip Adhikari

Mandip Adhikari is a junior at The University of Southern Mississippi studying computer science, with a focus on large language models, distributed systems, and applied machine learning. His work centers on building efficient real-time AI systems, including streaming inference servers, continual learning frameworks, and scalable model training pipelines.

He has led projects spanning synthetic data generation, reinforcement-based learning systems, financial simulation engines, and education technology platforms. Mandip is particularly interested in bridging rigorous mathematical foundations with practical, production-grade systems that create measurable real-world impact.

Maryanne Balch

Maryanne Balch

Project Manager & Machine Learning Developer

Business Information Systems major planning to have a minor in Computer Science and a M.S. in Cybersecurity.

Mississippi State University Logo

About the MSU ITS Smoother Operator Project Team

This project applies LLM-based conversational AI to a real-world government operations challenge, replacing manual operator routing with an intelligent, always-available triage system. By leveraging natural language understanding rather than rigid menu trees, the solution can interpret the full range of how citizens describe their needs and respond with consistent, accurate routing - a meaningful step forward from traditional IVR systems.

Visit the MSU ITS Smoother Operator Project Github Page

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About the MSU MDA C.A.I.R.O. Project Team

This project introduces an automated certificate lifecycle management system powered by intelligent workflow agents. By combining monitoring, automation, and policy-based decision logic, the system reduces operational risk and eliminates the need for manual tracking of certificate renewals across state agencies.

Visit the MSU MDA C.A.I.R.O. Project Github Page

Mississippi State University Logo

About the MSU MDES CyberDawgs Consultants Project Team

We are leveraging AI to streamline the drafting and formatting of resumes, while ensuring that WIN Job Center staff remain actively involved to review and confirm the accuracy of all information.

Visit the MSU MDES CyberDawgs Consultants Project Github Page

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About the MSU MDHS NutriLink Project Team

NutriLink takes in natural language queries and suggests resources based on the county the requester lives in. This information is sourced from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR) dataset1, the Healthy Eating Research Nutritional Guidelines (HER)2, as well as the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) method to better inform the requester of all available resources in their county.

Visit the MSU MDHS NutriLink Project Github Page

 

 

1University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation            
(n.d.). County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. 
https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

2UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. 
(n.d.). HER Nutrition Guidelines. UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. 
https://uconnruddcenter.org/her-guidelines/

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About the MSU MSBoN TruScript Project Team

This project innovates by integrating AI for standardized, explainable transcript analysis in a fraud-sensitive domain, enhancing efficiency while preserving human oversight and regulatory compliance, unlike traditional manual processes.

Visit the MSU MSBoN TruScript Project Github Page

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About the MSU SoS IntelliReg Project Team

SoS is pursued a Proof of Concept (POC) aimed at augmenting staff capabilities, enhancing key elements of regulatory review, and improving the accuracy and efficiency of compliance assessments. This initiative aligns directly with the office’s mission to operate transparently and cost-effectively, demonstrating how innovation can strengthen public trust and streamline government processes.

Visit the SoS IntelliReg Project Github Page

M M Nishat

M M Nishat

AI & System Intelligence Lead

Computer Science student focused on machine learning systems and backend AI architecture. Studying end-to-end AI pipelines, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and scalable backend design. Interested in building reliable, evaluation-driven AI systems with strong guardrails.

Nezha Amine

Nezha Amine

Cloud & Automation Engineering

Graduate Computer Science student at Mississippi State University with experience in full-stack development, automation tools, and AI-enabled applications.

Nichaela Barela

Nichaela Barela

Automation & Workflow Developer

I am currently working on my second degree after completing my studies in Health Information Management at the University of Hawaii. Through my academic journey, I developed an interest in technology, which inspired me to pursue Computer Science. I enjoy learning new concepts and challenging myself to grow personally. My goal is to combine my healthcare background with technology to create meaningful solutions in the future.

Prabesh Pathak

Prabesh Pathak

ML/AI & Backend Lead

Computer engineering student specializing in ML/AI, chatbots and backend development.

Pramish Pandey

Pramish Pandey

Backend Developer

Computer Science major (Class of 2027) with a focus on software development and AI. Experienced in full-stack development (React, Django, PostgreSQL) and building data management platforms at a Polymer Science Lab. Specializes in backend logic and data integrity.

Prastab Ghimire

Prastab Ghimire

Prastab is a senior majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Southern Mississippi. Originally from Nepal, he has a strong passion for coding and building new things. He has interned at Arroyodev LLC, where he gained hands-on experience building real-time software projects. In his free time, Prastab loves the outdoors, enjoys fast hiking in the mountain, and is a movie enthusiast.

Riad Benyamna

Riad Benyamna

CS sophomore at USM. Full-stack developer and AI integration specialist. Co-creator of Found.It, a semantic search engine that reached hackathon finalist status, and builder of Stockly, an AI-powered Chrome extension for real-time stock analysis. Leads system architecture and agent design.

Sabin Baral

Sabin Baral

UI/UX and Frontend

Designs intuitive interfaces and hardware abstraction layers to streamline the user experience for board staff.

Sadhan Ghimire

Sadhan Ghimire

Tester & Data Manager

Computer Science junior with some experience in front end development. Excited to work in AI/ML.

Saleep Shrestha

Saleep Shrestha

Saleep Shrestha is a junior Computer Science major in the Honors College at The University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently working on his Honors thesis in sentiment analysis under the guidance of Dr. Chaoyang Zhang, with a strong interest in AI, finance and applied computing. He is a four-time President’s List honoree and an Honors College Discovery Scholar.

Saleep serves as President of the IBM Z Xplore Club and Vice President of the USM Entrepreneurship Society. He is also a Resident Assistant for Housing and Residence Life at USM, where he supports and mentors students on campus. He has participated in IBM TechXchange and is currently working as a Software Developer Associate at illumibot LLC and Exium.

Originally from Pokhara, Nepal, Saleep is passionate about fitness, enjoys going to the gym, getting coffee, and playing tennis and swimming. He previously competed in two

national-level swimming competitions in Nepal and speaks three languages.

Sameen Chand

Sameen Chand

Frontend Developer & Data Analyst/Tester

Computer Science junior with a focus on AI Engineering. Experienced in integrating AI applications into existing software. Currently working at the Institute for Advanced Analytics and Society as a Research Software Engineer helping develop cutting-edge AI research platform focusing on NOAA data products and applications.

Saurav Kandel

Saurav Kandel

Computer Vision Engineer

Leads the development of automated text extraction and visual document analysis for transcript digitization.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shelly Hollis

Shelly Hollis

Facilitator

Shelly Hollis is the Director of the Center for Cyber Education (CCE) at Mississippi State University (MSU).  She joined MSU in 2014 and began directing the CCE in 2018. Shelly works with the Mississippi Department of Education to facilitate the development and implementation of the K-12 computer science initiative for the state of Mississippi. As part of this work, over 4,000 teachers have been trained in CS content including coding, robotics, and AI. Shelly also works with the Mississippi Cyber Initiative to help train and grow the cybersecurity workforce.  In her role at the CCE, she provides cyber awareness training and leads MSU student teams to conduct free cybersecurity assessments for small businesses and school districts across the state. Prior to joining MSU, she worked in a Mississippi public school district managing district technology. Before moving to Mississippi in 2007, she co-owned and operated a database design company where she created, installed, and maintained customized pre-school enrollment-management and compliance software solutions. Hollis is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Alabama where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  She is currently working toward a master’s degree in instructional technology from MSU.

Shushil Pant

Shushil Pant

Database Engineer

Oversees database schema design and secure storage solutions for regulatory compliance and indexing.

Sudeep Kumal

Sudeep Kumal

Backend Engineer

Designs and implements secure APIs, database systems, and core application logic to ensure reliable, scalable, and high-performance backend operations.

Sujal Maharjan

Sujal Maharjan

Machine Learning Engineer

Develops and tunes models for anomaly detection, autonomous navigation of data, and embedded control.

Sujjal Chapagain

Sujjal Chapagain

Data & Knowledge Engineering Lead

Junior majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science with a strong focus on data engineering and artificial intelligence. I am currently enrolled in Google’s Professional Data Analyst Certificate program on Coursera, where I have completed the “Get Started with Python” module and gained hands-on experience using NumPy and Pandas for data manipulation and analysis. Additionally, I have completed coursework in Database Management Systems, developing a solid foundation in SQL and relational database design.

Sushant Aryal

Sushant Aryal

Sushant is a junior majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Economic Data Analysis at the University of Southern Mississippi. Outside of USM, he is also enrolled in the Breakthrough Tech AI fellowship at Cornell Tech. In prior semesters, Sushant completed internships at Illumibot and Delta Health Alliance, gaining experience in AI and Software Engineering in professional settings. Sushant is passionate about using AI to build solutions in Healthcare and Finance, as well as to automate internal workflows within the organizations he works in.

Swayamjit Saha

Swayamjit Saha

PhD student in Computer Science at Mississippi State University. Research in leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning for AI-robotic systems. Previous experience of software engineer (Oracle Database Administrator role) at DXC Technology.

Trey Parker

Trey Parker

Security Manager & Machine Learning Developer

Senior Cybersecurity major with experience in security, programming, and networking looking to delve more into AI and Cyber Defense.

Tyler Brashears

Tyler Brashears

Project Manager

I am a Computer Science major at the University of Southern Mississippi and currently a senior. I have professional experience working in Quality Assurance, where I’ve helped test and improve software before release. Through that experience, I’ve developed a strong interest in the full Software Development Life Cycle and the different roles that contribute to building and delivering successful software. I’m excited to continue learning and growing within the software development field.

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About the USM MDA Golden Automaters-CertFlow Project Team

Rather than building a simple renewal script, Golden Automaters-CertFlow built a governance-aware agentic infrastructure platform. The key differentiators are: using the ACME protocol (RFC 8555) against a Pebble test CA - the same open standard used by Let's Encrypt in production rather than a custom mock; a multi-agency Certificate Intelligence Dashboard giving non-technical stakeholders real-time visibility from day one; an approval workflow that produces a named, timestamped compliance record for every deployment; and a policy-constrained agent architecture where security officers control cryptographic decisions through configuration, not code changes.

Visit the USM MDA Golden Automaters-CertFlow Project Github Page

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About the USM MDA Golden Ticket Project Team

This project applies enterprise-grade Retrieval-Augmented Generation within a secure internal government environment. Rather than relying on opaque AI outputs, the system focuses on grounded responses, transparent citation, confidence-based case escalation, audit logging and model traceability, human oversight, and hybrid retrieval scoring (semantic similarity + keyword boosting). This ensures the assistant enhances IT workflows without replacing human oversight, aligning with state governance standards.

Visit the USM MDA Golden Ticket Project Github Page

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About the USM MDA Soaring Support Project Team

This solution leverages conversational AI to seamlessly guide users to resolutions, transforming static IT documentation into an interactive, accessible support experience without replacing human oversight.

Visit the USM MDA Soaring Support Project Github Page

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About the USM MSBoN Team SP Project Team

Unlike standard OCR tools, this solution integrates specific Mississippi licensure logic directly into the verification pipeline, transforming a passive document review into an active, risk-aware decision support system.

Visit the USM MSBoN Team SP Project Github Page

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About the USM MSDH HIPAApotamus Project Team

HIPAApotamus explores how an AI-enabled, automated BAA tracking and management solution can improve visibility, reduce compliance risk, and streamline administrative workflows while maintaining strict security and governance controls.

Visit the HIPAApotamus Project GitHub Page

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About the USM ReCert Ticket Project Team

ReCert introduced an agent-based framework that transformed certificate lifecycle management from reactive manual coordination to a proactive and event-driven automation system. Implemented automatic renewal detection and workflow progression will reduce operational risk, improve auditability, and allow for scalable certificate governance across agencies.

Visit the USM ReCert Ticket Project Github Page

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About the USM SoS Reglex Project Team

SoS is pursued a Proof of Concept (POC) aimed at augmenting staff capabilities, enhancing key elements of regulatory review, and improving the accuracy and efficiency of compliance assessments. This initiative aligns directly with the office’s mission to operate transparently and cost-effectively, demonstrating how innovation can strengthen public trust and streamline government processes.

Visit the SoS Reglex Project Github Page

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About the USM VeriScript Project Team

This project applies AI to standardize regulatory oversight without removing human accountability. By automating the identification of high-risk discrepancies, the system allows professional staff to focus their expertise on complex cases rather than repetitive data entry.

Visit the USM VeriScript Project Team Github Page

Yom Patel

Yom Patel

Technical Lead

Computer Science sophomore with eight years of robust programming experience focused on practical AI-integrated and consumer-oriented solutions.

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