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Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Leading dissertation research on evaluating and improving ethical decision-making in large language models, in collaboration with Google's CAHSI AI for Social Impact initiative under Dr. Heena Rathore. Designed a cross-architecture benchmarking framework probing GPT-4, Gemini, LLaMA, and Mistral across utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics frameworks. Applied BERTopic topic modeling to cluster moral justifications across 10,000+ LLM-generated responses, and conducting RLAIF fine-tuning experiments on open-source models to improve value alignment. Research has produced 7 peer-reviewed publications across IEEE, EAI, and ICDT venues.
May 2023 – Present
PhD Research Assistant Human AI Synergy Lab
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May 2023 – Present
Graduate Teaching & Instructional Assistant
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Support instruction for 170+ undergraduate students across Computer Systems Security and Foundations of Computer Science. Design lab materials, lead weekly sessions, and provide one-on-one mentorship. Mentored five undergraduate researchers with tangible outcomes: Alden contributed to and co-authored 2 published papers; Julian and Micaele delivered a research poster presentation; Rose supported active data-gathering efforts for ongoing research; and Samantha is currently working toward her first publication.
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Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Assisted Dr. Heena Rathore in delivering course instruction, managing grading workflows, and providing targeted academic support to undergraduate students. Laid the groundwork for ongoing PhD research collaboration, developing early expertise in ethical AI systems and LLM evaluation.
2022 – 2023
Graduate Instructional Assistant — Dr. Heena Rathore
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2022 – 2023
Research Assistant — Dr. Stan McClellan
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Conducted applied IoT networking and security research: deployed LoRaWAN infrastructure across the San Marcos campus, implemented the Intelligent Cipher Transfer Object (ICTO) lightweight cryptography protocol, configured a private LTE network on the Anterix platform within university facilities, and explored blockchain-based security architectures for IoT systems.
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Texas State University
San Marcos, TX, USA
Teaching assistant for Numerical and Scientific Data Analysis (Python) and Senior Design. Graded coursework, mentored students through Python-based analytical methods, and guided senior engineering students in scoping and executing their capstone design projects.
August 2021 – December 2022
Teaching Assistant
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March 2020 – September 2020
Advanced Python and Django Coursework
Broadway Infosys
Koteshowr, Nepal
Developed two full-stack web applications using HTML, CSS, Python, Django, and Bootstrap: a functional e-commerce platform and a community movie review site.
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Broadway Infosys
Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Modeled and simulated electrical circuits, produced technical design reports, led small cross-functional teams, and coordinated group research meetings as part of an electronics R&D program.
2019 – 2020
Electronics & Communication Graduate Researcher
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2019
Python Developer Intern
Niva Business Solutions
Bagbazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Implemented Python and Django backend features, built front-end components using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and managed end-to-end website deployment processes.
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Broadway Infosys
Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Completed a comprehensive Cisco networking curriculum covering routing and switching protocols, LAN/VLAN configuration, VPN implementation, firewall security, and hands-on simulation using Cisco Packet Tracer.
2018
CCNA Certification Course
about me
I'm a PhD Candidate in Computer Science at Texas State University, working with Dr. Heena Rathore on evaluating and improving ethical decision-making in large language models. My dissertation develops a cross-architecture benchmarking framework that probes how models like GPT-4, Gemini, LLaMA, and Mistral reason through moral dilemmas under classical moral frameworks. I combine BERTopic-based topic modeling of LLM-generated justifications with RLAIF fine-tuning to both measure and improve ethical alignment in open-source models. Beyond LLM ethics, my work spans IoT security (LoRaWAN, MQTT, lightweight cryptography) and AI applications in healthcare. I hold a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Texas State (2023, 4.0 GPA) and have authored seven peer-reviewed publications across IEEE, EAI, and FLAIRS venues.
