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Portfolio

Ethan Sam

Cybersecurity EngineerAI Security SpecialistFull-Stack DeveloperCTF Player

Bridging the gap between AI innovation and cybersecurity excellence. Building secure, intelligent systems that make a difference.

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My Journey

I still remember when GPT-3.5 first clicked for me. I was a Cybersecurity Auditor at NYC Cyber Command, sifting through compliance reports for city agencies, when it hit me—this wasn't just another tool. This was a force multiplier. AI wasn't going to replace my work; it was going to free me to do more of the work that actually mattered.

That realization sparked a journey I couldn't have predicted. I finished my Master's in Cybersecurity, dove into AI security research at NYU, and built intelligent systems during my internship at NYU Langone Health.

Along the way, I interviewed at Amazon, Microsoft, SpaceX, FanDuel, and New York Presbyterian—for roles spanning Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and AI. One pattern emerged across every conversation: they didn't just want credentials. They wanted to see what I'd built. Projects that solved real problems. Clear communication of the value I provided. The ability to explain complex work simply.

What Worked

For my current role as an AI Engineer, I used Claude to research the job posting deeply—analyzing the company's gaps, predicting what product they needed but didn't have yet, and building it before we ever spoke. I showed up to interviews not just with answers, but with a working solution. The result? I was recognized for initiative, diligence, and communication skills—not because I had the most experience, but because I showed my work.

Now, as an AI Engineer in AdTech, I use these tools every single day—not as a shortcut, but as a way to compound what I'm capable of.

My north star is simple: positively impact one million lives. I believe AI's real promise isn't automation—it's amplification. And I want to help people discover how to use these tools to chase their own goals, one person at a time.

Featured Projects

01

Phishing Detection Game

Created an interactive educational tool for CSAW to help users identify sophisticated phishing attempts. Combined CNN-based image analysis with GPT-3 powered chatbot.

TensorFlowPyTorchDockerGPT-3React

Best Challenge Award, 300+ participants

02

Roomies App

Co-founded a mobile app for roommate coordination with robust security. Implemented cryptography techniques and consensus-driven AI framework for household challenges.

React NativeFirebaseAI/MLCryptography

Enhanced user engagement, improved communication

03

Collegiate Elo Ranking

Built a comprehensive ranking system for collegiate esports competitions using the MERN stack. Enhanced security and scalability using SaaS and Azure services.

MongoDBExpressReactNode.jsAzure

27% user engagement boost, 50% participation increase

Experience

Roomies

Co-Founder & Lead Developer

Feb 2024 - Present

New York, NY

  • Implemented cryptography techniques to secure sensitive user data
  • Developed consensus-driven AI framework inspired by Waze for household challenges
  • Created LLM-powered module for task aggregation and anonymous proposal submission
  • Built 'Task Transform' feature to demonstrate AI's practical value to non-technical users

NYU Langone Health

AI & Cybersecurity Intern

Sep 2024 - Dec 2024

New York, NY

  • Developed AI-driven chatbot enhancing vulnerability management by 30%
  • Automated ICS security scans across 11 hospitals and 300+ ambulatory sites
  • Created documentation and training materials for IT security team adoption

NYC Cyber Command

Cybersecurity Auditor

Dec 2021 - Aug 2023

New York, NY

  • Administered ICS security assessments across 50+ mission-critical OT/ICS systems
  • Identified and remediated 100+ cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • Reduced non-compliance issues by 20% using NIST frameworks
  • Developed internal Audit Guide reducing audit time by 20%

Education

New York University

M.S. Cybersecurity

Aug 2022 - June 2025

GPA: 3.96

  • Key Coursework: Network Security, Digital Forensics, Cloud Security, Applied Cryptography
  • Co-developed CNN-based phishing detection system at CSAW (Best Challenge Award)
  • Active participant in capture-the-flag competitions

CUNY Lehman College

B.S. Computer Science

Sep 2018 - June 2022

GPA: 3.90

  • Led CodePath.org cybersecurity program with 70% placement rate
  • Enhanced threat detection accuracy by 20% with IBM QRadar
  • Received Black Hat Briefings Scholarship for cybersecurity work

Technical Skills

Languages

Python95%
JavaScript/TypeScript90%
C++80%
SQL85%
Bash75%

Security

CrowdStrike Falcon90%
IBM QRadar85%
Splunk85%
Wireshark80%
EnCase75%

AI/ML

TensorFlow85%
PyTorch80%
LLM Integration90%
Computer Vision75%
NLP80%

Frameworks

React/Next.js90%
Docker85%
Git95%
Azure80%
Firebase85%

Achievements

Best Challenge Award - Cyber Security Awareness Week @ NYU

Black Hat Briefings Scholarship recipient

70% placement rate leading CodePath.org cybersecurity program

Identified and remediated 100+ vulnerabilities across NYC agencies

40% threat detection improvement with custom security solutions

President of 180 Christian Fellowship (Fall 2024)

2025 AI Stats

26.21K
Messages Sent
in 2025
Jun 27
Chattiest Day
2025
1%
Top Percentile
of users
34
Images Generated
creations
0.1%
Early Adopter
of users
Your Archetype2025

The Navigator

22.9% of users share this archetype

ExplorerSpecialistLearnerDoerPlannerPracticalConceptual

Quickly orients in new areas and charts next steps. Uses AI to decide what to do next without overanalyzing.

Stats from ChatGPT 2025 Wrapped

Get In Touch

Let's Connect

I'm always interested in discussing new opportunities, innovative projects, or having a conversation about technology and security.

Send a Message