Xiaowei Yang

Xiaowei Yang is a Professor of Computer Science at Duke University, where she holds multiple leadership positions including Co-Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Science in Economics and Computation Program and Director of Graduate Studies for the MS Program in the Department of Computer Science. She is a prominent researcher in computer networks and distributed systems with numerous publications in top-tier conferences and journals.

Dr. Yang received her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004 and her B.S.E. in Electronic Engineering from Tsinghua University in China in 1996. Prior to joining Duke University, she served as an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California at Irvine.

Dr. Yang's research focuses on large-scale computer systems, particularly computer networks and distributed systems. Her work addresses challenges that arise as computer systems scale in size and distribute across geographical locations, with emphasis on scalability, reliability, security, performance, and manageability. Her current research interests include developing practical ML/AI technologies to improve network reliability and security (AIOps), protecting online privacy and security of Internet users, and providing network and system support for latency-sensitive applications. Her research has significant practical impact, with several projects addressing real-world problems in cloud computing, content delivery networks, and broadband infrastructure.

Dr. Yang's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical network systems research with strong empirical validation. Her work spans multiple aspects of networking including cloud infrastructure, content delivery, security protocols, and network measurements. A notable trend in her recent work is the increasing focus on privacy-preserving technologies and the security implications of modern web infrastructure, particularly concerning content delivery networks and third-party services.

Among her notable recognitions is the prestigious NSF CAREER award, which supports early-career faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research.

Dr. Yang has secured significant research funding, including multiple National Science Foundation grants. Current projects include "CNS Core: Small: Optimizing IP Anycast Performance at Scale" (2022-2026) and previously led "CNS Core: Small: Collaborative Research: Improving the Reliability of Cable Broadband Networks with Proactive Network Maintenance" (2019-2023) and "FIA-NP: Collaborative Research: The Next-Phase MobilityFirst Project" (2014-2018). She is actively involved in mentoring students and has taught courses including Introduction to Computer Systems and Advanced Computer Networks.

As part of the Duke Systems group, Dr. Yang collaborates with colleagues on various systems research projects. Her work often involves close collaboration with industry partners, particularly cloud service providers and content delivery networks, ensuring her research addresses real-world challenges in large-scale systems.