Biography

My name is Taylor Garcia, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science with minors in Cyber Intelligence and Mathematics at Texas A&M University - Kingsville. I've always been interested in technology and how it works, and recently I've become curious about the hardware side of IT - how different components connect and function together. I enjoy learning through hands-on experience, especially with building and troubleshooting hardware, and I'm hoping to continue developing those skills. My studies in Cyber Intelligence have also shown me how important secure and reliable systems are, and they've encouraged me to keep expanding my skills in IT and hardware. Through this internship, I'm excited for the chance to learn from others, gain real-world experience, and grow both technically and professionally. I'm eager to take on new challenges and build a strong foundation for a future career in information technology.

Academic Status

Undergraduate Student - 4th

Research Area/Department

Computer Science; Engineering

Major/Specialty

I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with minors in Cyber Intelligence and Mathematics.

Degrees Earned or in Progress

I am set to graduate in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science along with minors in Cyber Intelligence and Mathematics.

Academic Preparation

I have completed courses such as Introduction to Computer Science, Object-Oriented Programming, Object-Oriented Software Engineering, Data Structures and Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Differential Equations, Computer Graphics, Cyber Security, Digital Logic Design, Linear Algebra, Database Systems, Software Engineering, Cyber Intelligence, Microprocessor Systems, and Discrete Mathematics. I am currently taking Computer Networks, Computer Architecture and Design, Software Engineering 2, and Data Mining.

Research/Academic Interests

I’m interested in cybersecurity, data science, and hardware systems. I really enjoy learning how computers work, both on the software and hardware side, and how they can be made more secure and efficient. I’m also interested in learning how to fix and build computers. I think it would be cool to explore how machine learning and cybersecurity can work together to make technology smarter and safer.

Computational and Data Science Areas

Applied Computer Science; Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems; Computer Science; Informatics, Analytics and Information Science; Other Computer and Information Sciences; Training; Organization

Motivation

I want to participate in this internship to challenge myself and gain real world experience in computer science. I’m excited to learn new things, explore areas I haven’t tried before, and grow both personally and professionally. I also hope to connect with others who share similar interests and can inspire me to keep learning. Since I don’t have much hands-on experience yet, I see this internship as a great opportunity to build confidence, develop my skills, and take the next step toward a career in Information Technology or Cybersecurity.

Lightning Talk Title

Arduino-Based Motion Detection

Keywords (Maximum 20 words)

Arduino; Sensors; Motion Detection; Automation; Security; Embedded systems