About the Team

Niharika Kalkeri is the founder of Cyber Secure Outreach, a nonprofit focused on educating vulnerable populations, especially seniors, about cybersecurity. Currently studying Information Science at University of Maryland, she combines academic knowledge with practical cybersecurity experience to make a meaningful impact in her community.

 With certifications in CompTIA Security+ and Network+, as well as hands-on experience in digital forensics, network security, and penetration testing, Niharika is passionate about using her skills to protect others from online threats. She recognizes the growing risks of the digital world and is committed to empowering individuals to stay safe.

Niharika Kalkeri and her team help deliver and present educational materials to over 100 individuals yearly. They lead outreach efforts at senior centers and community organizations, working to bridge the knowledge gap and provide vulnerable populations with the tools and understanding needed to navigate the digital landscape safely.

Director, Cyber Security – Ciena Corporation

Amit Lad received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering in 2005 from San Jose State University.  Amit has completed the Executive Education Program at Tuck and the CISO Certificate Program from Carnegie Mellon University.

Amit is a highly experienced cyber and information security professional in a cross-section of telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors.   Amit has 25+ years of information technology and security experience in all domains that include risk management, IT governance and compliance management, security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, product security, application security, third party risk, cloud security, security architecture, identity and access management, security awareness and training, data security and privacy.

Outside of his professional career, Amit Lad has two young children with his wife of 20 years.  Amit is an avid golf fan, loves music, and loves to bake.  

 A. David Demiray is an attorney who has focused on intellectual property, competition law, litigation, and for the last five years, nonprofit organizations. He has written three law review articles on environmental and European intellectual property issues. He taught intellectual property law at the University of Maryland, University of Baltimore, and Maastricht University in the Netherlands . He worked in large Baltimore law firm, a boutique Washington, DC law firm, and, now, Frederick, Maryland, where he grew up. He enjoys lively conversation, visiting faraway friends, and living on a large farm. 

 Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology
School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore 

Dr. Purushottamachar Puranik earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2003 from the University Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India. Following his doctoral studies, he worked as a process chemist at USV Ltd. in India from 2003 to 2004.

Dr. Puranik then pursued postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Professor Vincent Njar and Professor Angela M.H. Brodie at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) from 2005 to 2008. He continued his research at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, from 2009 to 2010. In 2011 he was promoted to Research Instructor and subsequently appointed as  Research Associate at the Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics of UMB in 2012.

Currently, Dr. Puranik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at UMB. His research lies at the intersection of pharmaceutical and biomolecular chemistry, with a focus on drug design and development. Specifically, his work involves the design, synthesis, and evaluation of steroidal and non-steroidal small molecules as Androgen Receptor Down-Regulating Agents (ARDAs) and the development of Retinoic Acid Metabolism Blocking Agents (RAMBAs), including ATRA derivatives, for the treatment of prostate and breast cancers, respectively. His innovative research is currently at advanced preclinical stages.

Dr. Puranik has an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented his findings at numerous conferences. Additionally, he serves as an Editorial Board Member and reviewer for several international journals.