Interview with Sameer Wagh
Github: @snwagh
Where are you based?
I am based in New York.
What do you do (i.e. studying, working, etc.)?
Well, when I'm not busy trying to keep the secrets of the universe under wraps at SecretBit Ventures, or ensuring that privacy isn't just a seven-letter word at OpenMined, I'm usually flexing my brain muscles attempting to solve math puzzles, or tossing the frisbee around for some good old-fashioned fun. I also moonlight as an amateur cook, and let me tell you, my Chana Masala has been known to bring grown men to tears.
What are your specialties (i.e. Python development, Javascript development, community organization, etc.)?
Well, my expertise in the art of obfuscation includes, but is not limited to, some full stack development, research and all its aspects, making complex knowledge accessible using my graphic designing skills, organizing company-wide triathlons, and connecting with amazing people like everyone I’ve met at OpenMined!
How and when did you originally come across OpenMined?
My introduction to the OpenMined community was a memorable one. It happened around 2017 when one of my initial projects in secure multi-party computation was being incorporated into PySyft. It was through this process that I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew. We have been in touch ever since, bonded by our mutual enthusiasm for the privacy-enhancing technologies space.
What was the first thing you started working on within OpenMined?
I started about 4 weeks ago and one of the first things I have been doing is working on documenting the internals of Syft. This will enable other new joinees to pick up the basics of Syft terminology faster and help us operate more efficiently as a group.
And what are you working on now?
I am working on a new functionality to enable collaboration and computation over data across domains using trusted execution environments.
What would you say to someone who wants to start contributing?
The OM community is amazingly welcoming, driven, and doing interesting work. Depending on your skills, you might want to find what vertical you find yourself closely aligned with and get in touch over the introductions or support channels over Slack. For engineering contributors, maybe asking to get in touch with one of the team leads might be a good start.
Please recommend one interesting book, podcast or resource to the OpenMined community.
I recently read The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and I found it insightful both personally and professionally.