Madeline McLaughlin
Tell us about your role. What are you focused on right now?
I'm a part of the Cyber System Assessments Group, which evaluates the security of government tools and develops secure prototypes to further the national security mission. One of my current projects involves improving my reverse engineering skills to assess various internet-connected systems.
What are you most proud of in your work?
I was drawn to the Laboratory's national security mission, and I take pride in being part of a team of intelligent, creative, and hardworking individuals who share a standard for technical excellence and continued learning to support the United States. This dedication stands out to me through interactions with my colleagues in the group, as everyone has been welcoming and ready to share their knowledge; I’m proud to be a part of that team and culture at the Laboratory.
How did you get started here, and how has your career developed?
I first found out about the Laboratory through the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program, which I participated in during undergrad. During the program, I worked with Dennis Ross, who leads the AI Technology and Systems Group, to further focus my career goals and learn more about the security field as it related to the intersection of technology, security, and government. After an internship in that group working on a vulnerability assessment for various devices, I came back a year and a half after graduating from college because of my interests in security and a collaborative research environment. I have enjoyed expanding my cyber defense skills for national security research and can see the Laboratory as a place where I can continuously grow and home in on technical skillsets that are of interest to me.
What makes the Laboratory the right place for you?
The Laboratory does a great job of encouraging its employees to focus on continuously learning and developing new technical and communication skills through the lens of both national security and research. As someone who thoroughly loves school, I find that the Laboratory is a great fit because of its shared emphasis on learning and research that mirrors an academic environment in its curiosity and collaboration; however, the work that I do now has an even stronger direct impact on the people and organizations that we are helping to solve problems for.
How do you like spending your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy making pottery; I’ve been going to classes at Mudflat Studio in Somerville, MA, for almost three years now and enjoy making pieces that run along the line of functional and creative.
From day to day, where do you find inspiration?
Growing up, I was lucky enough to have parents who emphasized that no matter how many paths I was shown in life, the one that brings joy and pride is the most worth pursuing in the long run. I think about that a lot and am motivated in my work and in my personal life to choose paths that will bring joy and curiosity and will also make them and myself proud of my actions.