Meet the Team
Dr. Dan Manson
Dr. Dan Manson, CISSP, is a Professor in Computer Information Systems at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Dr. Manson has taught Information Systems Auditing, Internet Security and Computer Forensics in the College of Business Administration Computer Information Systems undergraduate and Master of Science in Information Systems Auditing programs. From September 2003 to March 2004 and January to December 2006, Dr. Manson served as the campus Information Security Officer for Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Manson led the effort for Cal Poly Pomona to be designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education in 2005 and again in 2008.
Charissa Kim
Charissa Kim had many extraordinary accomplishments such as her annual placement in CyberPatriot Nationals (the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition Finals), winning first in the All Service Division last year. She has earned the designation as the CyberPatriot All-American. Charissa Kim was the Northrop Grumman Information Systems Sector Scholarship Recipient, receiving a $2,000 scholarship in 2018 and in 2017 as well. Furthermore, Charissa, founder of CyTech, has created her own non-profit, international organization, Cyber Youth Tech (CyTech), dedicated to empower the next generations of STEM and cybersecurity. She led and created the Southern California’s First All-Female High School Hackathon, AiHacks, at USC.
Sydney Duong
Sydney Duong has started learning about cybersecurity in middle school through the trainings that Irvine Valley College held for the CyberPatriot competition. She has gravitated towards cyber security since she has always enjoyed computer science, but it was never something taught in her school’s curriculum. She has competed in competitions such as CyberPatriot, National Cyber League, California Mayor’s Cup, and Girls Go Cyberstart for 5 years. Sydney founded and is currently president of her high school’s cybersecurity club, and plan to continue with cybersecurity after high school
Anna Zhao
Anna Zhao first started cybersecurity when she attended her high school cyber camp the summer before freshman year. Although she was new to the city and school, she felt completely at home here, learning about the ins and outs of the different operating systems; ever since, she has been part of the cyber program, both as a competitor and a camp instructor. This is her fourth year competing in CyberPatriot. Anna looks into pursuing her interests in cybersecurity in an interdisciplinary manner.
Timothy Kim
Timothy Kim has participated in Cyberpatriot since middle school. He went to the CyberPatriot Nationals since 8th grade and placed 3rd in eight grade, 1st in ninth grade, and 2nd in 10th grade. He is interested in sharing his knowledge to other passionate cyber students. Along with this, he is interested in the STEM fields, especially math, science, and technology. He enjoys computer science and program in my free time. Over the course of his programming experience, he has learned python, Java, and many more. Tim has participated in CTFs (especially NCL) and Hackathons to continually gain more experience in this updating field of cyber.
Daija Lanae
Daija Lanae’s experience with cyber she would say is very different from the rest. She would say she is not the typical cyber genius. She is an athlete that was shown a better path then most. Daija had great mentors that helped and pushed her to become the cyber student she can be. She was tossed in to classes then soon forced to be on the teams by her mother. Soon after she grew love for Cyber Security, and love to share her origin story and knowledge with others.
Bethany Danley
Bethany Danley has been involved in CyberPatriot for the past 5 years and she is the head Windows member on her team. This past year she has started competing in different local competitions and NCL. This upcoming year, she is hoping to expand her knowledge into learning how to script and to compete in more competitions. She is also the President of the local Girls Who Code chapter, the founder of Girls in STEM, and the founder of the high school chapter.
Jacob Jayme
Jacob Jayme has competed in cyber defense competitions in 2017. He has competed in Cyberpatriot, mainly the networking portions. He has studied and passed the CCNA 200-301 exam and Core 1 of the A+ exam. Jacob taught at his high school as a student instructor and provide tutoring for those preparing for the CCNA.
Sky Jung
Sky Jung is currently a third-year member of the CyberPatriot program. As a competitor for CyberPatriot, she is mostly experienced in network security and network topology. Last summer, she also attended an international cybersecurity leadership program to learn more about the cyber field and cybersecurity careers.
Anusha Garg
Anusha Garg has three years of experience with CyberPatriot, participating in the program from 6th to 8th grade. She’s a one time state finalist, and two time state semi-finalist, 25th and 5th place in the middle school division. Anusha specializes in Linux, but knows the basics for Windows and Cisco as well. She is looking forward to another great year of competing in the CyberPatriot program and enhancing her skills in Ubuntu.