Andrea Lin

Tell us broadly about your work at the Laboratory. What kinds of problems are you researching or developing technology to address?

I work on secure cloud computing, where we use cryptography to outsource computation to cloud servers while keeping sensitive data private. I have improved the efficiency of algorithms so they are more useful. I also work on secure embedded systems. In particular, I translate secure technology developed by our group to commercially available computer platforms. 

What inspired you to pursue your research area?

One of the first computer programs I wrote was an RSA encryption algorithm in C in middle school. This sparked my intrigue, and I continued to pursue my interest during my undergraduate and master’s studies. I wrote my thesis on the privacy of anonymous communication under the supervision of Dr. Srini Devadas, and I worked as a teaching assistant for cryptography and algorithms courses at MIT. These experiences inspired me to pursue research and development in computer security.

Why do you think Lincoln Laboratory is a good fit for you?

I like to learn and to challenge myself, and the work here provides plenty of opportunities to do so. I am excited that I get to apply my experiences and passion for computer security toward the important purpose of national security. I enjoy collaborating and having discussions with people at the Lab and in my group who are also excited about all things cryptography, systems security, and computer related.

What motivates you from day to day?

There is always a question we want answered or a problem we want solved. The prototyping work at the Lab can have a clear aim but multiple paths to get there. I am motivated to find the answers by investigating different directions and trying a variety of creative methods!