2020 FAIT Fellows
Jacob Barr completed his undergraduate education at the University of Washington, where he earned three bachelor’s degrees in Slavic languages, Germanics and International Studies. He is pursuing a Master in Data Science at Kent State University, specializing in Data Analytics and Enterprise Architecture.
Born in Italy and raised on 3 different continents by an Italian mother and German-American father, Camilla Beaderman is a native Italian speaker with a love for languages. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations at Penn State University and is minoring in Korean language.
Mia Bennett, a Japanese-American born in Okinawa and living in the United States, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Korean Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her future academic and professional career interests include cyber security, web development, and digital forensics.
Shirali Husan, born and raised in Urumqi, China, graduated cum laude from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and is pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at Northeastern University. He is proficient in multiple languages, including Russian, Turkish and Chinese.
Isaiah Makonnen, born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN, is a first-generation college student with a bachelor’s degree in informatics, minor in human-centered computing, from Indiana University Bloomington. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems at IU’s Kelly School.
Khaled Mamun, born in Chittagong, Bangladesh, is a United States Army Veteran who received an honorable discharge in 2018. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security and Homeland Security, with a minor in I.T. Management at Campbell University in North Carolina. Khaled is fluent in Bengali and proficient in speaking Hindi.
Born in Texas and raised in numerous places in Mexico, Christian Manriquez is a first-generation college student working toward two bachelor degrees, management information systems and data analytics and finance, at Texas A&M International University. He has a passion for community empowerment, technology, travel and adventure.
Darius Michael, born in Saint Lucia, an Eastern Caribbean island, served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, traveling to more than 30 countries. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is pursuing a graduate degree in cyber intelligence and security from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.
Erin Moran, born in New York to immigrant parents from Mexico, is a first generation college student. While attending Bergan Community College, she studied abroad in the Czech Republic. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Pace University, and hopes to someday earn a Master of Science from New York University.
Kai Riley is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at George Mason University Honors College. With Japanese ancestry on his mother’s side, Kai has a passion for the Japanese culture and has held leadership roles in the Japanese National Honor Society, Japanese Culture Club, and most recently, the Japanese Student Association.
Born in Mexico and raised in Arizona, Sara Robinson-Camarena grew up with two cultures. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations, in the Defense & Forensics Track and the Law & Policy Track, at the University of Arizona. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security from Cochise College in Arizona.
Shayan Shirkhorshidi is a U.S. Army Veteran pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at George Mason University. Born and raised in Iran, Tehran, Shayan lived there for 15 years before moving to the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, where he attended the University of Wollongong. He is fluent in Farsi and well-versed in both the culture and living conditions in both countries.
Kalin Thomas, born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, served in the Navy after high school. He holds three undergraduate degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Information Management, Economics and Entrepreneurship, and is pursuing two graduate degrees, Master of Business Administration and Master of Science – Management Information Systems, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
