Blog Search

Mei Ngan has been a researcher at NIST since 2011, working in the biometrics group. Her research interests include face recognition and tattoo recognition. She is currently involved in a number of key face biometrics testing activities, which include looking at particular attacks on automated face recognition (and how well algorithms can detect them). When not disguising herself with wigs and makeup for research, Mei can be found playing volleyball with her husband and two daughters or running a local race.

Ed Takamura is a security researcher and a member of the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) Team at NIST. Prior to joining NIST, he served NASA and NOAA as (FISMA) Compliance Project Manager, ISSO, ISSE, Control Assessor, System Administrator, and other supervisory and non-supervisory IT-related roles.

While the highlight of his 25+ year professional career in support of the federal government was his service as ISSO for a NASA mission to Mars, the opportunity to serve security professionals and their supporting contractors across the federal government to help them manage risks is what brings him most professional joy and fulfillment.

Ed holds a Master of Science degree in computer science from the Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Bowie State University (Cum Laude) and is a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP #323245).

Susana Barraza is the NICE Program Manager at NIST. She previously served as the Student Personnel Assistant for the HSI STEM Equity and Success Initiative (SESI) Project at Sacramento City College. She has also participated in a Political Management Seminar at The George Washington University as a component of a fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington, DC. Additionally, Susana served as an intern for Ford Motor Company, the House of Representatives, and for the California State Assembly.

Susana earned an Associates of Science in Business Administration and an Associates of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies- Social and Behavioral Sciences. Then Susana transferred to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) where she received a Bachelor’s in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. She is a 2020 Pathway Fellow Recipient with the College of Education at CSUS; a program (1 out of 6 nationwide) that prepares highly qualified diverse participants for doctorates and careers in rigorous educational research. She is currently pursuing a Master's in education, with a focus on organizational leadership and learning at The George Washington University.

Trey Diulus is an NRC associate at NIST Gaithersburg, working in the Advanced Electronics Group of the Nanoscale Device and Characterization Division in the Physical Measurement Laboratory. His research is largely focused on the field of material science. He came to NIST to study diamond-based electronic devices. Trey obtained his Ph.D. and B.S. in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and the University of Florida, respectively. When not in the lab, Trey enjoys golfing or going on hikes and traveling with his wife, Kylee.

Megan is the Supply Chain Optimization Manager for the Alaska MEP, part of the MEP National Network. She has served in the military and founded and managed a food manufacturing company in Anchorage, Alaska. She has a proven track record of elevating operational efficiencies and fostering business growth. 

Robert A. Gutierrez is a biomedical engineer in the Cell Systems Science Group at NIST. He joined NIST at the beginning of 2022 through Johns Hopkins University and worked on air liquid interface tissues. Using his expertise in developing 3D tissues, he continues his research on creating human-like gut models that can be used to assess transport testing with microplastics. Robert comes from very humble beginnings and loves spending time with his family.