For University of the Ozarks senior Misael Ocas, a semester abroad has turned into a career-shaping milestone. The computer science student from Santiago, Chile, has co-authored a research paper with his professor, Dr. Chol Hyun Park, and the pair will present their work at a premier international technology conference in the coming weeks.
Ocas (pictured, right) and Park will present their paper, “Intelligent Blockchain and Networks for Sustainable Life,” at the third annual International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and Data Analytics 2025 (ICOABCD 2025). The conference is being held in Indonesia and Ocas and Park will present their paper virtually.
Ocas is a senior exchange student from Duoc UC San Carlos De Apoquindo, a private university in his hometown of Santiago, Chile. He will return to Chile after this semester to complete his degree.
Park, assistant professor of computer science, said working with Ocas on the research paper has been “impressive.”
“He consistently shows strong preparation, professionalism, and commitment to learning,” said Park. “His contribution to this project reflects his ability to handle advanced computer science topics. I believe this achievement will significantly strengthen his resume and provide a meaningful advantage as he pursues future job opportunities or graduate school.”
Ocas called his collaboration with Park an exceptional experience.
“His guidance, clarity, and mentorship have been fundamental to the development of my research,” Ocas said. “He is always willing to challenge me, encourage deeper exploration, and provide constructive feedback that elevates the quality of my work. Collaborating with him has been both intellectually inspiring and personally rewarding.”
Ocas said the research eperience has strengthened his technical, analytical, and academic skills.
“It has helped me improve my scientific writing, deepen my understanding of blockchain and post-quantum cryptography, and gain confidence in conducting independent research,” Ocas said. “It has also opened doors to academic opportunities I never expected, including contributing to an international conference.”
Calling it the “milestone of my academic journey,” Ocas said presenting at the conference is both exciting and humbling.
“Presenting at an international conference is something I once saw as unreachable,” he said. “I feel motivated to continue advancing in research and grateful for the trust and support that made this opportunity possible.”
University of the Ozarks added computer science as a new major beginning the Fall 2025 Semester.
“I believe the new computer science major is a strong step forward for the University and shows a clear commitment to expanding opportunities in technology,” Ocas said. “Since the program is still in its early stages, there are areas that can continue to be developed and refined. However, the foundation is promising, and I’m confident that, as it grows, it will offer students an increasingly solid and competitive academic path.”
Ocas said after graduation he plans to pursue opportunities in the fields of software engineering or data engineering. He also plans to continue building research experience and eventually pursue graduate studies.
“My long-term goal is to build a solid career in software engineering or data engineering, gaining experience by working on impactful and innovative projects,” he said. “At the same time, I aspire to develop my own SaaS product and grow it into a sustainable independent business. I’m passionate about creating solutions that solve real problems, and I hope to combine industry experience with entrepreneurship as I continue advancing in my professional journey.”
Topics: Computer Science