Hello, I am
Max Moundas

I am a Computer Science professional who graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2023. This portfolio displays my technical abilities and skills through various projects I've completed, such as creating a website, an iOS app, and automated systems for businesses.

Career

Vanderbilt University's Institute for Software Integrated Systems: Generative AI Research Engineer

May 2023 - Present

After graduation, I accepted an opportunity to work alongside Jules White, the Associate Dean of Strategic Learning Programs, on Vanderbilt's recently launched Future of Learning and Generative AI initiative as a research engineer. Since I started in May 2023, I've taken a deep dive into the capabilities and practical applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. My journey and contributions can be summarized as follows:

  • Experimentation with LLMs: Through multiple experiments, I've explored the ability of LLMs to generate full-stack software applications, to accurately assess the runtime performance of different code samples, and to consistently produce desired text for automated systems.
  • Automated Incident Response Plan: In collaboration with Vanderbilt CISO, Shane Callahan, we've pioneered the development of an LLM-based automated incident response plan generator. This initiative is aimed at bolstering security responsiveness using generative AI.
  • Tutoring the University Chancellor: I have had the unique opportunity to personally educate and advise Vanderbilt Chancellor, Daniel Diermeier, on the potential and applications of LLMs and generative AI tools. This has ensured a top-down understanding of the transformative power of AI within the institution.
  • Experimentation Platforms: Recognizing the need for streamlined testing processes, I have spearheaded the development of experimentation platforms. These platforms play a critical role in automating the testing and benchmarking of various prompt engineering strategies.
  • Research and Publication: My curiosity has fueled various research papers, both as an author and co-author, where we delve deep into the potential of LLMs for streamlining and automating software development processes. My most recent paper on Prompt Engineering of ChatGPT to Improve Generated Code and Runtime Performance Compared with the Top-Voted Human Solutions was published in August 2023.
  • University Advising: I've taken on the responsibility of advising Vanderbilt University professors and faculty on the best practices for harnessing LLMs, especially in a teaching environment. This advising includes writing internal communications and research papers on the best applications of LLMs for educators.
  • Collaborative Ventures: My expertise has been sought across various departments, resulting in multidisciplinary projects. I've worked closely with teams at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Vanderbilt University IT department, and projects associated with the National Security Agency to ensure that AI is used optimally across different sectors.
  • Team Leadership: As part of my responsibilities, I've had the privilege of managing a dynamic team of eight undergraduates. Their hard work and dedication has been extremely helpful in completing projects and expanding the scope of multiple ventures.

As generative AI grows and evolves, so do its uses and best practices. In every capacity, my aim remains the same: to harness the capabilities of generative AI for the betterment of our academic, research, and operational endeavors.

Aimbrige Hospitality: IT Intern

May 2021 - August 2023

I have had the privilege of working for Aimbridge Hospitality, a highly respected third-party hotel management company. As an IT Intern within Aimbridge's IT department, I have been able to put my technical skills to use in meaningful and impactful ways. One of my key responsibilities has been to create scripts and automate tasks for the company, which has enabled the organization to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Over the course of two summer internships and ongoing part-time work during the school year, I have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in maintaining the systems I created and writing scripts for the legal and accounting departments. This has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality industry, and I have been able to apply my technical skills to address these challenges in innovative and effective ways.

Working for Aimbridge Hospitality has been a truly transformative experience for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the success of this highly respected organization. I am confident that the skills and experience I have gained through this internship will serve me well in any future role within the technology sector, and I look forward to continuing to build my skills and knowledge as a software developer.

Summer 2021

During my first summer internship with Aimbridge, I had the opportunity to work on a major project that had a significant impact on the company's internal communications system. Specifically, I developed a Dynamic Distribution Group system that uses PowerShell scripts alongside SQL jobs to automate internal communications within the organization. This system was critical in ensuring that Aimbridge's tens of thousands of employees, including senior executives, were receiving critical messages on a regular basis.

One of the key benefits of this project was the discovery and elimination of over $150,000 in annual unnecessary Microsoft license fees. By streamlining the communication process, we were able to reduce the number of licenses required to support the system, resulting in substantial cost savings for the company.

This project was a major success, eliminating communication issues and ensuring that Aimbridge's associates receive internal communications when expected. I am proud to have played a key role in this effort, and I believe that my experience with this project has helped me to develop a deep understanding of the importance of effective communication in the workplace. As I continue to grow and develop my skills as a software engineer, I look forward to finding new and innovative ways to improve communication and collaboration within organizations.

Roy Mellinger, Global CISO and VP Security, Privacy, IT Risk and Compliance at Aimbridge Hospitality said:

"From day one, Max was part of the IT Team and was assigned important, mission critical projects to complete. These projects not only helped him learn and hone his technology skills, they also provided important value to Aimbridge, and resulted in $150,000 in savings."

Summer 2022

During my second summer internship with Aimbridge, I had the opportunity to work on a project that had a significant impact on the company's license management process. Specifically, I developed a system that automated the distribution of Microsoft Office 365 licenses to Aimbridge's 1,500 hotel properties using PowerShell scripts and organization of Aimbridge's Active Directory.

This system was critical in eliminating billing errors and ensuring that the accounting system between corporate offices and hotel properties was working properly. The new system streamlined the distribution process and ensured that bills were arriving at the correct properties, which has resulted in significant cost savings for the company.

By automating the distribution of Office 365 licenses, we were able to properly distribute over $2 million in annual fees, which had previously been a time-consuming and error-prone process. I am proud to have played a key role in this effort, and I believe that my experience with this project has helped me to develop a deep understanding of the importance of effective license management and organization.

This project was a major success, and I am excited about the prospect of continuing to find new and innovative ways to improve business processes and optimize systems through the use of technology.