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Hello! My name is Brandon Ismalej and I am an undergraduate at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) studying computer science and data science. I am a pre-doctoral scholar supported by Cal-Bridge, a bridge-to-PhD program.
My current work spans the field of data science and security. I lead the BORACLE - Intelligent Algorithms team at the Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM, where we research the use of smart wearable devices for AI health applications. In addition, I conduct research in synthetic data and machine learning security. At CSUN, my work focuses on exploring the privacy, utility, and fidelity of synthetically generated data. At the University of California, San Diego, I am investigating and analyzing the geometric structure of internal neural network representations, with a focus on how these geometries change in response to adversarial attacks and during the training process.
My research is driven by a commitment to ensuring that advances in artificial intelligence have meaningful, positive impacts on society, particularly in shaping how individuals interact with and place trust in AI systems throughout their lifecycle. Central to my work is a dedication to transparency: elucidating the mechanisms by which data is processed, demystifying model operations, and rigorously identifying potential vulnerabilities within these complex systems. I strive to bridge the gap between technical innovation and societal understanding, fostering responsible and trustworthy AI development.
My Journey & Experiences
I am a child of immigrants, and a first generation student. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and had a non-traditional secondary education experience. Starting as a freshman at CSUN, I was formally a sociology major, with a plan to study psychology through a clinical lens. It was in my first required statistics course, that I discovered my love for data. Being a turning point in my academic career, I changed my major to computer science hoping to pursue work in computation and data.
While I was studying psychology, grad school was always in my view. With that, I became a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line, where I had the privilege in helping people during vulnerable moments feel more secure in a time of need. I also pursued certification to become a Registered Behavior Technician, with the goal of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and gaining hands-on experience in behavioral health.
Changing my course of study, however, did not change my goals in academia: I remained committed to pursuing research and graduate education. My passion for understanding human behavior and supporting others simply evolved into a drive to explore how technology and data can be leveraged to make a positive impact. This transition has allowed me to combine my interests in computation, data, and social good, shaping my current path as a researcher dedicated to responsible and impactful AI.
Within the field of data science, I am particularly interested in the intersection of privacy, security, and the responsible use of data. My work involves developing methods to evaluate and enhance the privacy and utility of synthetic datasets, as well as investigating how adversarial techniques can impact machine learning models. I am passionate about creating tools and frameworks that help ensure data-driven technologies are both effective and trustworthy, with a strong emphasis on transparency and ethical considerations.
🔬 Current Research Areas
📄 Explore My Work
Feel free to reach out if you’d like to collaborate or learn more!