Summary

I'm a research scientist with publications in RF communications and secure distributed computing, experience in full-stack development, and proficiency in data analysis and visualization.

Experience

Keysight Technologies

R&D Software Engineer | 2023 - present

Implemented algorithms now feautured in Keysight's Vector Signal Analyzer software for characterizing and correcting IQ imbalances in direct conversion transceivers, allowing for complete separation in the analysis of linear and nonlinear distortions, and led the demonstration of this technology at the IMS 2024 customer trade show
Developed a framework for modeling the behavior of power amplifiers at compression using artifical neural networks, predicting spectral regrowth with high accuracy at more than 50 dB of dynamic range and enabling precise compensation for nonlinear distortions in the design and development of phased array antennas

Yale University

PhD Researcher | 2018 - 2023

Devised a novel algorithm for computing the remainder predicate achieving perfect secrecy in the population protocol model, providing a crucial building block for general-purpose secure predicate computation in ad-hoc mobile networks
Contributed to the development and formal analysis of algorithms that solve consensus in the population protocol model, extending previous work to achieve agreement within a distributed network with authoritative sources of information (e.g. base stations) and non-binary decisions (e.g. clock synchronization)
Collaboratively developed a stable algorithm simulating Turing machine computation using asynchronous single-bit broadcast, allowing for arbitrary computation in networks with limited communication bandwidth

Trail of Bits

Research Intern | 2021 - 2022

Formally verified correctness and security properties of the Bluetooth Low Energy Secure Connections pairing protocol using Tamarin, an automated cryptographic prover
Derived theory for modeling the degree distribution of the Bitcoin network and demonstrated close approximation to published empirical data, enabling accurate modeling of the network topology

Yale Openlab

Full-Stack Developer | 2019 - 2020

Led the design and development of a secure account registration process for OpenClimate, an open-source blockchain-based project to support climate accounting

Ernst & Young

Cyber Security Risk Consultant | 2017

Developed risk assessment tools informed by self-taught principles of PKI and IAM that were used for tracking progress in contracted cyber-development projects

Publications

RF Engineering & Telecommunications

Characterization and Correction of Homodyne Systems Enabling Single-Carrier 40 Gb/s in E-band

Talley Amir, Jan Verspecht, Sam Kusano
104th ARFTG Microwave Measurement Symposium, 2024

Population Protocols & Distributed Computing

Privacy in Population Protocols with Probabilistic Scheduling

Talley Amir, James Aspnes
25th International Symposium on Stabilization, Safety, and Security of Distributed Systems, 2023

Fast Convergence of the k-Opinion Undecided State Dynamics in the Population Protocol Model

Talley Amir, James Aspnes, Petra Berenbrink, Felix Biermeier, Dominik Kaaser, Christopher Hahn, John Lazarsfeld
42nd ACM Symposium on Principles of Distributed Computing, 2023

Approximate Majority With Catalytic Input

Talley Amir, James Aspnes, John Lazarsfeld
24th Conference on Principles of Distributed Systems, 2020

Message Complexity of Population Protocols

Talley Amir, James Aspnes, David Doty, Mahsa Eftekhari, Eric Severson
34th International Symposium on Distributed Computing, 2020

Education

Yale University

PhD in Computer Science | 2018 - 2023

Publications in population protocols, a theoretical framework for modeling ad hoc network of computationally limited mobile agents

Relevant coursework:

Cryptography & Computer Security
Software Analysis & Verification
Computer Networks

‍Teaching & mentorship experience:

Served as a Teaching Fellow for 8 semesters in courses about Cryptography & Computer Security, Software Engineering, and Privacy in a Connected World, wherein I had the privilege of designing and teaching multiple upper-level university lectures
Participated as a mentor in Summer programs for advanced high school students interested in computer security research

GPA: 4.00 / 4.00

Brown University

BSc in Applied Mathematics & Computer Science | 2014 - 2018

Research in secure cloud computing

Relevant coursework:

Theory of Computation
Information Theory
Introduction to Software Engineering

‍Teaching & mentorship experience:

Served as Head Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Discrete Mathematics and Probability, a 300-student computer science course, for two semesters; responsibilities included hiring and training a 25-person teaching staff, drafting and grading homework assignments, and holding office hours and review sessions

GPA: 3.89 / 4.00

Skills

Programming Languages

Python
MATLAB
Java
BASH
C
Go
Javascript
CSS
OCaml
Scala

Collaboration Frameworks

Git
Confluence
Jira