Kara Barrese

Computer Science & Security at Santa Clara University

Focusing on software automation, data validation, and AI integration. Experienced in parsing structured datasets, building secure cloud testbeds, and leading collegiate cybersecurity compliance initiatives. Seeking to apply these technical skills to Cybersecurity Compliance and Risk Analysis roles in Financial Technology.

01. Experience

2026

Engineering Intern, AUTOSAR Projects — Visteon

Designed and deployed a full-stack tool automating internal software architecture visualizations. Built a Python CLI processing C code via Cflow, transforming hierarchies into structured JSON for automated code mapping. Maintained deep engagement with AI engineering tools, auditing and debugging AI-generated application code to resolve runtime failures.

Python · Cflow · React Flow · JSON Parsing · Raspberry Pi
Jun 2024 — Aug 2024

ADAS Engineering Intern — Visteon

Developed driver-assistance simulations and custom computer-vision tools using C++ and Python. Programmed a full-stack visualization tool allowing engineers to cross-validate hardware camera feeds inside simulated digital twin environments. Sprint-migrated 1,550 unit tests across legacy data structures inside a tight two-day timeline.

C++ · OpenCV · Three.js · Vector CANalyzer · Simulation

02. Cybersecurity Leadership

WiCyS SCU Chapter

Co-Founder & President

Established the Women in Cybersecurity chapter as an official campus organization. Lead recruitment initiatives, design curriculum for weekly training labs, and interface directly with industry professionals—including university compliance heads—to run security workshops.

BroncoSec (ACM CTF)

Vice President & CTF Coordinator

Design and deploy reverse-engineering and web application vulnerability challenges for campus capture-the-flag competitions. Build automated automation infrastructure scripts in Python to evaluate team progression and parse large dataset matrices.

03. Selected Projects

BioAI Retrieval Pipeline

RAG Infrastructure

Engineered a literature-mining pipeline using overlapping text-chunk models, MiniLM text embeddings, and ChromaDB vector stores. Linked extracted domain data to a customized model fine-tuning orchestration using 4-bit NF4 quantization and LoRA adapters.

Isolated Cloud Testing Range

AWS / Networking