# Hakan Tugrul Otal

> Research Assistant | PhD Student | AI/Software Engineer

Location: Albany, New York, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/hakantugrulotal

I'm currently working as a Research Assistant at UAlbany. I try to expand my knowledge on different technologies and subjects but focus on Data Science, AI and Cybersecurity. My life goal is try to learn everything about something and something about everything.

## Work Experience
### AI/Software Engineer Intern @ CyRisk Inc.
Jan 2025 – Present | United States
◾ Developed AI features for cyber risk scanning tools.

### Research Assistant @ The State University of New York
Jan 2023 – Present | Albany, New York, United States
◾ Research Assistant at TATAR Lab
◾ Research Assistant at AI in Complex Systems Lab
◾ Graduate Assistant of Assistant Dean for Public Engagement and Enrollment
◾ Teaching Assistant for CINF135-Concepts of AI course

### Summer Research Intern @ TATAR Lab - CEHC - UAlbany
Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 | Albany, NY
◾ Worked on research projects related to AI security and safety.
◾ Led research group of students from VICEROY.

### Summer Research Intern @ AI in Complex Systems Lab - CEHC - UAlbany
Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 | Albany, New York, United States
◾ Worked on two different research projects and published conference papers from them.
◾ Supervised undergraduate interns at UAlbany Summer Research Program (UASRP)

### Software Engineer @ Parieta NLP
Jan 2023 – Jan 2023 | Istanbul, Turkey
◾ Designed and implemented all of the system architecture for frontend, backend, AI and database.
◾ Developed user interface (UI) of the web application and integrated e-commerce features.
◾ Developed Nest.js backend services, MongoDB databases and AI pipelines for the application.
◾ Deployed and maintained Docker containers  on AWS infrastructure.

### Software Engineer @ Deka Technology
Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | Istanbul, Turkey
◾ Developed new API endpoints for many applications of AnadoluEfes.
◾ Connected SAP services to backend services through customized integration layer.
◾ Worked with 100+ microservices and used Jenkins and Openshift to manage them. 
◾ Used technologies like Elastic, Redis, Quarkus, Camel, Keycloak.

### Software Engineer @ PoiLabs
Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | Istanbul, Turkey
◾ Developed backend services of a mobile application for visually impaired people.
◾ Refactored a mobile application's API with more dynamic and efficient ways.
◾ Used Bitbucket as VCS and observed how to work with many people on the same project effectively.


## Education
### Doctor of Philosophy - PhD in Information Science/Studies
University at Albany
Jan 2023 – Jan 2027

### Bachelor's degree in Computer Science
Istanbul Technical University
Jan 2018 – Jan 2023

### Master of Science - MS in Information Science/Studies
University at Albany
Jan 2023 – Jan 2025

### High School Diploma
Pema Koleji


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hakan-tugrul-otal
- Website: https://hakanotal.github.io

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Source: https://flows.cv/hakantugrulotal
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/hakantugrulotal/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-01