Lukas Mehl

CIS Student @ Washburn University · Working Student in Web Application Development @ Pentos · ESEM 2026 author (PQCScanner, post-quantum cryptography)

Topeka, KS | Würselen, DE

About

I completed the first half of my bachelor's studies in Cybersecurity and Information and Computer Science (Computer Science concentration) at Park University and am now continuing my degree at Washburn University, majoring in Computer and Information Science.

As a Working Student in Web Application Development at Pentos, I independently build software products for the SAP SuccessFactors ecosystem, more and more of them with AI-powered features. From January to May 2026 I was an Undergraduate Research Assistant (K-INBRE, SCWTE) at Washburn University, where I built the frontend of PicTur, a research web app for automated wildlife identification that I continue to develop.

My own research focuses on post-quantum cryptography: PQCScanner, a static analysis tool for cryptographic API usage in Python, Java, and Go, measures how ready open-source software is for the migration to post-quantum cryptography. My sole-authored paper on it, "PQC-Readiness of Open-Source Software: An Empirical Study", is published in the ESEM 2026 proceedings (International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement, LIPIcs). I also presented the project as a poster at CCSC Central Plains 2026.

I am passionate about cybersecurity, quantum-safe cryptography, and software engineering, with a focus on frontend development using React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS. I also have experience with backend technologies such as Python, Java, and Kotlin, as well as automated testing with Playwright and Selenium. I enjoy developing secure, efficient, and user-friendly applications.

Beyond my studies, I am a dedicated student-athlete with a proven ability to work in teams and execute projects effectively. I am fluent in both German and English and proficient in MS Office and Adobe software. As a competitive middle- and long-distance runner, I have achieved top-10 placements at the German Championships and earned multiple conference wins; I also previously held a school record before transferring. These experiences have helped me develop discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. I am also actively involved in community initiatives.

I am always eager to apply my knowledge in practical settings, take on new challenges, and continuously expand my skill set in the IT and cybersecurity fields.

Experience

Working Student in Web Application Development·Pentos

Jan 2025 – Present · Kissimmee, Florida, US · Remote

I independently build software products for the SAP SuccessFactors ecosystem, from the first idea to a working application. The ideas come from my two supervisors and from other teams, usually based on what customers need. I build a first version, demo it in our weekly meeting, and together we decide what stays, what changes, and what comes next. Promising prototypes grow into larger products.

Mostly frontend with React, TypeScript, JavaScript, and Mustache, increasingly full-stack
Weekly demos and feedback rounds that drive each product forward
Integrating LLM APIs such as Anthropic's Claude API to build AI-powered features directly into the products

Undergraduate Research Assistant (K-INBRE, SCWTE)·Washburn University

Jan 2026 – May 2026 · Topeka, Kansas, US · Hybrid

Worked on PicTur, a research web application for the fully automated identification of Ornate Box Turtles based on photos of their plastron. The goal is to reliably identify individual turtles from images and store them in a database for long-term population monitoring and biological research. Developed collaboratively with Garrett King-Cody (backend and server infrastructure); I focus on frontend development and overall system integration.

Designing and implementing the frontend architecture using React and TypeScript
Building user workflows for image upload, validation, and result visualization
Developing researcher-facing dashboards for interacting with identified individuals and metadata
Collaborating closely with backend systems for image-based identification and database ingestion
Contributing to end-to-end reliability, testing, and deployment

First project followed from an empty repository to a fully deployed application on a self-configured server. Conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Reed. Development of PicTur continues beyond the appointment.

Software Development Intern·SOPTIM AG

Jun 2024 – Jul 2024 · Aachen, Germany · Hybrid

Developing and maintaining software for processing time series as a member of an Agile team. Participating in SCRUM meetings (Daily, Refinement, Retrospective). Handling tasks, bugs, and user stories. Reviewing merge requests. Technologies: React, TypeScript, Java, CSS, Selenium, Kotlin.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science (continued)

Washburn University

Aug 2025 – May 2027 · Topeka, Kansas, US

Continuing B.Sc. after transferring from Park University. Activities: Track and Field & Cross Country (NCAA Division II).

Cumulative GPA: 3.97/4.00
Minor in Mathematics; undergraduate certificates in Cybersecurity and in Artificial Intelligence
Dean's Scholarship Award (Dixie Donnelly Wantoch Scholarship) for the 2026–2027 academic year, Washburn CIS Department (Apr 2026)

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity & Information and Computer Science (started)

Park University

Aug 2023 – May 2025 · Parkville, Missouri, US

Started B.Sc. in Cybersecurity & Information and Computer Science; transferred to Washburn University in Summer 2025. Activities: Track and Field & Cross Country (NAIA).

High School Diploma

Heilig-Geist-Gymnasium

Aug 2015 – Jun 2023 · Würselen, Deutschland

Student body president for the 2021/2022 school year

Conference, publications & competitions

Oct 2026 · L. Mehl, "PQC-Readiness of Open-Source Software: An Empirical Study". ESEM 2026 (International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement), Emerging Results, Vision, and Reflection Papers track; LIPIcs, Vol. 394, Paper 53. Sole author, peer-reviewed. Introduces PQCScanner, a static analysis tool for cryptographic API usage in Python, Java, and Go that measures post-quantum migration readiness. Presented at the conference on Oct 9, 2026. doi:10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.53
2026 · CCSC Central Plains (Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges): research poster on PQCScanner; programming contest, 2nd place overall (with Sapnish Sharma and Ujjwal Sitaula).

Publications: Abstract, PDF & BibTeX →

Projects

PQCScanner, PicTur, RunSync, Heiligtumsfahrtquiz and more, each with a description, timeline, and links to code or live demos.

View all projects →

Certifications & Awards

Dean's Scholarship Award (Dixie Donnelly Wantoch Scholarship), Washburn CIS Department, Apr 2026
8th place nationwide, German Startup Award for Students (Deutscher Gründerpreis für Schüler:innen), May 2022
Existenzia für Schüler: Wie erstelle ich einen Geschäftsplan? (GründerRegion Aachen), Mar 2021
Sports Medal of the City of Würselen (Jan 2024), awarded for achievements in long-distance running at the Würselen Sports Matinee.