Making systems safer in Africa and the world

An ethical hacker with a passion for cybersecurity, Aklile Mamo (MSIT '26) wants to give back by making systems safer for users in Africa and around the world. With fellowship support from the Upanzi Network, Mamo explains that she "wants to give back to the community that gave me this opportunity, which I really appreciate."

Aklile, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been interested in the field of cybersecurity since she started studying for her bachelor's degree in computer software engineering at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. In her fifth year, she and other students were encouraged to apply to CMU-Africa by a visiting faculty member.

"After that conversation, every one of us in that room applied to CMU-Africa," she said. "I was awarded one of three scholarships, and I think it was because I wrote essays about my passion for cybersecurity." She is now completing her master's degree in information technology and will graduate next year.

Aklile is already giving back through her work on a research project with Jema Ndibwile, assistant teaching professor at CMU-Africa, using a gamified technique of teaching cybersecurity concepts to children with autism.

She designed a prototype of a comic book that can help children with autism understand cybersecurity concepts. "Seeing people engaging with the materials completely changed how I thought about autism. I used to think of autism as a disability, but it's not. It's just another way of seeing the world. I used to think autism was static, but it's not, it's a spectrum. I see that the research is going to be really, really big, and I don't think we have even scratched the surface," she said.

As an exchange student in Pittsburgh, she noted the 24-hours of travel was exhausting, but looking back, she said it brought her closer to her peers. "We saw each other at our worst, but it also strengthened our relationships," Aklile said. She enjoys living with her friends, having fun, laughing, teasing each other, and cooking together.

Even though she has a rigorous academic schedule, including a Ph.D. level course, she has enjoyed spending time exploring Pittsburgh (and the rest of the US) outside the classroom. She recently went to a baseball game with the group. She has also been to Washington D.C. and is planning to go to Dallas, Texas.

Aklile is inspired by her family, who supported her throughout her academic journey. The tightknit unit, including her parents, her brother, and her aunts and uncles, "raised her as if she was their own child," she said. "They all help when I need money, resources and materials. I am here because they all contributed to my success. I want to make a difference in my parents' lives and want to be a role model for my cousins and my younger brother."

While she wants to continue her education and research, and contribute using her cybersecurity knowledge globally, she wants to work in Africa because she feels her skills are needed there. "I feel like I'm responsible to help develop Africa," she said.

"CMU-Africa is the best," Aklile said. "I love it there. It's really amazing. I've actually gained the experiences that I need for me to go off and work and be confident. In a way, CMU-Africa makes every one of us feel special."