Gaspard Baye ‘25 :

I have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who are experts in their field. UMassD has connected me with the right people, and helped me develop leadership, management, and technical skills.

PhD student and campus community leader Gaspard Baye ‘25 came to UMass Dartmouth from Cameroon to pursue an advanced degree in cybersecurity studies. With a focus on machine learning and artifi cial intelligence, Gaspard is working to make the world a safer place, while also serving as a leader and advocate for his fellow students.

Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and Deep Learning

“Cybersecurity is always evolving and changing every day. There are always new threats on the horizon that jeopardize our privacy and safety. It requires creative thinking to come up with novel ways to defend and protect computer systems, people, data, and technology. I want to join the fight to protect people and defend against those who would use this technology to cause harm. My research is focused on leveraging deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up vulnerability detection and mitigation.”

National Society of Black Engineers, President 2022-2023

“The purpose of NSBE is to increase the number of Black engineers, promote members’ academic success, and upli others who will follow in our footsteps. Members of NSBE also have access to personal and professional development activities and opportunities to connect with top companies in our fields. We partner with organizations and companies who know the value of NSBE and seek out NSBE students specifically for jobs and internships. NSBE is important because our members are o en underrepresented in their field or are first generation college students. It’s important for students to see people like themselves succeeding.

“As president, I learned how to effectively advocate for our students, like making sure they have the opportunities they need, or raising funds for our travel. I am o en in the position of making the case for why these activities are important. But it is also extremely rewarding to help students get their dream job or internship.”

How has UMass Dartmouth prepared you for your future?

“At UMass Dartmouth, I have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who are experts in their field. UMassD has connected me with the right people, and helped me develop leadership, management, and technical skills. This school has prepared me academically but also prepared me for life.

“The community aspect of campus makes this a special place. People here are kind to each other, and always willing to help, even if they don’t know you. Faculty are open to new ideas. There is a strong sense of belonging. I feel at home even though I am far from home.”

Learn more about student organizations in the College of Engineering