Published 01/01/2026
As part of the CVN 2025 Intern Impact Series, we’re highlighting students whose summer experiences demonstrate the power of collaboration between academia, government, and industry. This spotlight focuses on the Cypher-Bridge Program, a new partnership between the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Central Virginia Node (CVN) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the standout work of interns Meleah Ognita and David Ferrufino.
Launched this summer, the CYPHER-Bridge Program offers students a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of IoT behavioral forensics, data science, and federal policy. As members of the inaugural cohort, Meleah and David worked full time, 40 hours per week, alongside FCC engineers and researchers on projects with real-world impact, including applications of artificial intelligence.
The program is designed to do more than provide technical experience. It immerses students in how cybersecurity research informs national policy, while giving federal teams fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
Intern Impact in Action
Both interns contributed to high-impact projects that extended beyond theory into practical, usable tools.
David Ferrufino, a VCU graduate student pursuing a degree in Computer Science, focused on building modern technical infrastructure. He shared information about his work:
“My work experience involved creating modern databases as well as websites to query/access those databases.” “This work has led to me learning the industry practices for database authentication and creating APIs. In addition, I learned how to make software in the context of an internal company tool and what that means for our design, making it more user friendly.”
For David, the ability to collaborate closely with FCC staff was a defining part of the experience.
Meleah Ognita, a UVA undergraduate pursuing a BS in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science, emphasized the importance of mentorship and professional connection throughout the program.
“One thing I have taken away from this opportunity is definitely the amazing connections,” Meleah said. “I have met so many wonderful people at the FCC who were so helpful and guided me through the entire process.”
Together, Meleah and David not only gained hands-on technical experience, but also developed a deeper understanding of how collaborative environments support innovation and learning.
Supervisor Perspective: Proof of Concept to Continued Development
The impact of the interns’ work was clear to their supervisor, Andrew “Andy” Hendrickson, Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology.
“The Summer 2025 Cohort of the CCI-FCC Cypher-Bridge Fellowship was a huge success,” Hendrickson shared. “David and Meleah did a fantastic job and completely won over the room during their final presentation. Not only were their presentations stellar, but they also created two incredibly valuable proofs of concept.”
Their final presentations showcased both technical depth and the ability to communicate complex ideas, an essential skill for work that bridges research and policy.
Looking Ahead
Due to the strength of their contributions, the FCC invited both interns to continue their work throughout the academic year, an opportunity that CVN was proud to support. This continuation reflects the program’s success and its potential for long-term impact.
Looking forward, CVN hopes to expand the Cypher-Bridge Program to include more students and additional FCC projects, creating even more pathways for emerging talent to contribute to meaningful, real-world cybersecurity and data science initiatives.
The Cypher-Bridge Program stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when students are trusted with real responsibility, supported by strong mentorship, and given the chance to work on challenges that matter.
