Hello I'm

Sandra Nguyen

Hello I'm

Sandra Nguyen

I'm a recent graduate from California State University, Fullerton, where I majored in Computer Science and honed my skills in data science, machine learning, and cybersecurity. My academic journey has been dedicated to faculty-led research and developing exploratory software projects that challenges today's complex challenges.

As an Asian American woman in tech, I am passionate about supporting and leading initiatives for underrepresented groups. Through my leadership roles, I strive to inspire my peers to transcend societal barriers and pursue their ambitions fearlessly.

Education

California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Relevant Coursework: Artificial Intelligence, Introduction to Machine Learning, Intro to Data Sci. & Big Data, Cybersecurity Fnd. And Prncp., File Structure & Database, Algorithm Engineering, Data Structures, Statistics Applied to Natural Sciences, Mathematical Structure

Fountain Valley High School

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Relevant Coursework: Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus BC, AP English Literature and Composition

Experience

Projects

May 2024 - August 2024

Security, Privacy, and Compliance Engineering (SPACE) @ Reddit

February 2024 - May 2024

Theta Tau @ CSUF

Malicious Link Fingerprint

Real-time detection and scoring of malicious links coupled with novel fingerprinting methodology on dynamic content for safeguarding Reddit Ads.

Lightning MuQueen Remote-Controlled Car

Arduino-powered RC car with motor management, steering, speed control, and Bluetooth communication and mechanical assembly.

Hackathons

February 24-25, 2024

FullyHacks Hackathon @ CSUF

February 16-18, 2024

TreeHacks Hackathon @ Stanford

June 22-23, 2023

Tech Solutions to Reduce Sexualy Transmitted Infections Hackathon @ National Academy of Medicine

April 15-16, 2023

Embark Datathon @ UCI

April 8-9, 2023

FullyHacks Hackathon @ CSUF

Lumi's Quest: Revival

Coral reef conservation brought to life through an immersive 2D adventure & quiz game.

Winner of Cool Game Project

Evergreen

Gamification for equitable access to CS education, featuring AI-driven, customized learning paths.

Rheia

Novel solution to STI early intervention and contact tracing with data-driven healthcare application.

Mischief in Montreal

Thorough data analytics & machine learning approach for developing policies in Montreal criminal landscape.

Winner of Best Overall
Winner of People's Choice

Fully Green

AI-powered image recognition assistance with recycling mobile app.

Winner of Best Mobile App

Research

January 2024 - Dec 2024

Senior Capstone Project @ CSUF

March 2023 - May 2024

Digital Learning Lab @ UCI

June 2023 - August 2023

SoCal Data Science Program @ UCI

August 2022 - May 2023

ASSURE-US @ CSUF

May 2022 - July 2022

ASSURE-US @ CSUF

LightBox XAI

Exploratory XAI initiative integrating novel methodologies, visualizations, and real-time LLM explanations to demystify the decision-making processes of AI models.

Marc Velasco

Phocrastination: A Game-Based Approach to Assessing and Classifying Academic Procrastination in College Students

Exploratory classification of real-world academic procrastination through game-based simulation of student learning environments.

Dr. Doina Bein, Dr. June Ahn

Hippocampal Ensembles Represent Sequential Relationships Among an Extended Sequence of Nonspatial Events

Data science & statistics-informed analysis of neuronal activity from a rodent-based odor experiment to determine hippocampal involvement in temporal event organization.

Dr. Babak Shahbaba

Data Science Analysis of Malicious Ads and Threat Detection Automation for Cybersecurity Progress

Novel approach to automating the analysis of malicious content on the internet to protect users against Google ad fraud.

Dr. Doina Bein

Data Science Analysis on Real/Fake Job Postings

End-to-end Scikit-learn workflow on 18k real/fake job postings from 2020 to predict legitimacy.

Dr. Doina Bein

Publications

April, 2025

Yokohama, Japan

July 2023

San Francisco, CA

March 2023

Las Vegas, NV

Phocrastination: A Game-Based Approach to Assessing and Classifying Academic Procrastination in College Students

2025 ACM Computer Human Interaction (CHI)

Expected Author & Presenter

2024 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

Presenter

2023 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR)

Presenter

Improving Internet Advertising Using Click-Through Rate Prediction

14th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2023)

Co-Author

Data Science Analysis of Malicious Ads and Threat Detection Automation for Cybersecurity Progress

2023 IEEE 13th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC)

Author & Presenter

2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR)

Presenter

Awards

December 2024

Edwards Lifesciences

March 2024

Southern California for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR)

January 2024

Computing Research Association (CRA) Education

November 2023

CSUF Undergraduate Research and Opportunity Center (UROC)

May 2023

STEM Advantage

March 2023

Advancing Women in Technology (AWT)

Edwards Lifesciences Scholar

Awarded recognition for exceptional student leadership in WiCSE

William M. Whitney, Ph.D. Travel Award

Awarded $500 to support student travel to NCUR

Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (URA)

Awarded Honorable Mention for demonstrating outstanding potential in computing research

UROC Fellowship Award

Awarded $5,000 grant to conduct and present research at annual research symposium

STEM Advantage Scholarship

Awarded $3,750 grant to attend classes full-time and graduate with less student debt

AWT Scholarship

Awarded $7,500 grant to further education in the technology field

Designed & made with ♡ by Sandra Nguyen @2025