Ethan Ferguson

Employers

Software Engineer

June 2023 - Present

Engineered secure, performant cloud applications using TypeScript, React, SQL, NodeJS, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Implemented robust security measures and ensured compliance with industry standards.
Led penetration testing initiatives on various cloud applications, identifying and mitigating critical OWASP vulnerabilities including stored XSS, unsecured endpoints, logic flaws, and misconfigurations.
Worked closely with product managers, designers, and clients to translate complex technical concepts into user-friendly features.
Successfully turned around a struggling project by identifying key issues, implementing effective solutions, and rallying the team, resulting in on-time delivery and client satisfaction.

Software Engineer

June 2021 - Dec 2022

Engineered full-stack microservices application for performing binary analysis using Python, MongoDB, Docker/Docker Compose, GraphQL, RabbitMQ, gaining expertise of modern full-stack technologies.
Developed automated tools for the analysis of compiled C/C++ binaries to generate a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) without requiring the original source code, enhancing software security.
Designed and implemented a data collection pipeline to automate the acquisition of ground truth binaries including compiling code with LLVM and GCC and unpacking system packages, increasing efficiency.
Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver a high-quality application at light speed.

Software Engineer Intern

August 2019 - August 2020

Modified a high-performance RF simulation tool written in C/ASM to ensure compatibility with MacOS and Apple M-series (ARM) architecture, improving software performance and accessibility.
Updated the MATLAB interface to adopt a new XML data storage format, improving data management and integration capabilities.
Collaborated with the development team to optimize existing algorithms and improve the overall efficiency of the simulation software.

First author of groundbreaking research discovering a novel GPU cache side channel using WebGPU and JavaScript, unlike any attacks previously in the literature.
Achieved 90% (state-of-the-art) accuracy in performing website fingerprinting through the identified side channel, demonstrating the potential for significant security implications.
Published and presented findings at AsiaCCS 2024.
Conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Hoda Naghibijouybari.
Paper available on arXiv.

Utilized SIMD, CUDA, and C++ to create high-throughput, just-in-time data generation enabling machine learning of new data types on HPC systems.
Architected a ResNet-based deep neural network for molecule generation using PyTorch.
Published in IEEE e-Science 2022 and presented at the ACS Physics March Meeting 2022.
Conducted research under the guidance of Prof. Kenneth Chiu.
Paper available on arXiv.

Languages: Python, JS, TS, C, C++, Rust, HTML, CSS
Libraries: PyTorch, Pytest, React, Jest, Sequelize, CUDA, Express, Matplotlib, Three.js, MayaVi
Infra/Tools: AWS, GCP, Git, Docker, Postgresql, MongoDB, GraphQL, RabbitMQ, Linux, MacOS, Lambda/Serverless, Node.js, HTTP, REST, CI/CD, DevOps