Dr. Roger Giddings is a Senior Lecturer in Optical Communications & DSP at Bangor University's School of Electronic Engineering. He holds a BEng (Hons) from Loughborough University (1989) and a PhD in Optical Communications from Bangor University (2012). Previously, he worked at Nokia Networks and Nokia Research Center in roles such as Senior Research Engineer and Senior Hardware Specialist, focusing on optical fiber amplifiers and 3GPP systems. Since 2012, he has been at Bangor, researching DSP-enabled optical networks and has authored/co-authored over 100 publications. His research focuses on dynamically reconfigurable optical networks, converging traditional and 5G mobile networks. He teaches modules like Signal Processing, Broadband Communications, and supervises MSc/PhD students. Recent work includes physical layer security, fiber-wireless convergence, and soft-ROADMs. He chairs conferences and guest edits journals, and collaborates on EU-funded projects like NEWFOCUS. He actively engages in public outreach, hosting workshops and science events for schools and communities.
Farzaneh Karegar is a Senior Lecturer at Karlstad University, Sweden, specializing in usable security and privacy. Her work focuses on transparency-enhancing tools (TETs/PETs), algorithmic transparency, and responsible AI. She leads collaborations in projects like A4Cloud, CREDENTIAL, PAPAYA, and TRUEdig, addressing privacy challenges in digital systems. Education: Not explicitly stated in available texts. Affiliations: Member of the CREDENTIAL project team and other EU-funded initiatives. Her research emphasizes user-centered privacy solutions, including privacy notifications, dynamic consent mechanisms, and user-friendly metaphors for complex privacy concepts. Key contributions include studies on fingerprint recognition usability and cloud-based identity management interfaces. She has received Best Paper Awards for work on privacy interfaces and identity management. Notable projects include developing the CREDENTIAL Wallet for secure identity management, evaluating user engagement in privacy notices, and exploring transparency of privacy risks through visualizations. Her work bridges technical privacy solutions with human factors to empower users in data-driven environments.
Dr. Elena Kakoulli is a Lecturer in Information Systems and Coordinator of the MSc in Information Systems and Digital Innovation at the University of Nicosia. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Cyprus University of Technology (2015), following a Master’s in Computer Science (2009) and B.Sc. (2007) from the University of Cyprus. Her research focuses on computer architecture, photonics-based interconnection networks, cybersecurity, and AI-driven educational technologies. Notable contributions include work on resilient NoC architectures, distributed storage systems (OctopusFS), and silicon photonics integration for high-performance computing. Dr. Kakoulli’s research interests span network-on-chip (NoC) design, IoT security, and adaptive learning frameworks. She has collaborated on projects such as distributed tiered storage for cluster computing with Dr. Herodotou. Recognitions include awards from the University of Cyprus and Marfin Laiki Bank Foundation for academic excellence during her postgraduate studies. She has also contributed to teaching roles as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Cyprus and lecturer at Ctl Eurocollege, covering courses like computer architecture, compilers, and operating systems. Her publications highlight advancements in cybersecurity models, AI-integrated education tools, and next-generation computing architectures. She actively participates in academic conferences, including the 21st European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern Conference on Information Systems (EMCIS 2024), and has served as a Technical Program Committee member.
Hanna Schraffenberger is an Assistant Professor in the Digital Security group at Radboud University, focusing on human factors in security and privacy. Her work explores how users interact with emerging technologies like open 5G networks, encryption tools, and online interfaces. She supervises student projects addressing themes such as anonymity in 5G, provider motivations in open networks, and dark pattern effects on user behavior. Her research bridges technical and human aspects of security, emphasizing usability challenges in privacy tools and ethical design principles. Notable areas include analyzing user assumptions about mobile network security, mitigating deceptive interface patterns, and improving encryption accessibility. She collaborates with Katharina Kohls on projects studying provider dynamics in open networks and user decision-making processes. Her academic contributions span over 25 peer-reviewed articles, covering topics from dark pattern taxonomy to AI ethics and medical decision support systems. Despite no awards listed, her work consistently addresses real-world usability and ethical concerns in digital systems.
Dr. Sandra Scott-Hayward is a Senior Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She is Director of the QUB Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE) and contributes to the Institute of Electronics, Communications & Information Technology. Her research focuses on SDN/NFV security, predictive analytics, network monitoring, and edge-based security. She leads projects like AIDE_NICYBER2025 and LINAS, emphasizing AI-driven solutions and secure infrastructure. Awards include the IEEE NFV-SDN Best Paper Award (2019) and Outstanding Leadership (2016). She actively advises on cybersecurity policy, collaborates internationally, and engages in public outreach through events like Belfast Pride and CyberFirst initiatives. Research interests span programmable network security, AI/ML in cyberdefenses, and secure non-terrestrial networks. Her work aligns with UN SDGs for sustainable infrastructure (Goal 9) and responsible innovation (Goal 9/17). Projects include mitigating O-RAN misconfigurations and enhancing 6G O-RAN QoS via deep reinforcement learning. She supervises PhD students in SDNFV security and advises on global cybersecurity frameworks. Recent articles address DDoS mitigation, secure data planes, and immersive cybersecurity training. Grants include £4.35M funding for R&D in AI-driven cybersecurity. Activities include speaking at NIST forums and editorial roles in journals like IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing.
Vladislav Mladenov is a PostDoc at Ruhr University Bochum (Faculty of Computer Science) , affiliated with the Chair for Network and Data Security . He serves as Project Coordinator for the North Rhine-Westphalian Experts on Research in Digitalization (NERD II) and an Associated Principal Investigator at the Cluster of Excellence CASA (Cyber Security in the Age of Large-Scale Adversaries). Academic Background: Dipl.-Ing in IT-Security (Ruhr University Bochum, 2004–2012) Ph.D. in Network and Data Security (2012–2017) Research Interests span Information & Data Security , Authentication & Authorization Protocols , Data Format Security (JSON, XML, PostScript), and Network Protocols Security . His work focuses on vulnerability discovery in enterprise systems, IoT, and web standards. Scientific Contributions include analyses of PDF document security, 3D printing protocols, and Single Sign-On implementations. He has contributed to international standards via ISO/DIN working groups and the PDF Association . Scientific Awards: Excellent Teaching Award (2024) DFG Project Grant (2022) CSAW Best Paper Awards (2019, 2022) Eurobits Excellence Award (2019) CAST IT-Security Award (2017)
EMANUELE STORTI serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM) in Ancona, Italy. His scientific sector is classified as IINF-05/A - Information Processing Systems. He maintains an active presence at the university with regular office hours on Thursdays from 15:00 to 16:00 at his office located at via Brecce Bianche, 60121 Ancona. Professor Storti's research spans multiple domains within information systems, with particular expertise in semantic technologies and knowledge representation. His work focuses on developing semantic models for performance indicators, knowledge graphs for industrial applications, data lake architectures, and IoT integration systems. He has made significant contributions to the fields of data quality assessment, ontology engineering, and multidimensional data analysis. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on knowledge graph applications across various domains including Industry 5.0, environmental impact assessment, and medical applications. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on semantic approaches to solve complex data integration and analytics challenges, particularly in industrial and environmental contexts. The research shows increasing sophistication in handling multidimensional data sources and developing frameworks for semantic representation of complex systems. Professor Storti appears to be actively engaged in the academic community through participation in symposia and workshops, as evidenced by his contributions to the Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems and specialized workshops like MADTECC focused on medical applications with digital twins.
Junaid Shuja is a researcher with significant contributions to Mobile Edge Computing , Cloud Environments , and IoT Systems . Collaborating with scholars like Kashif Bilal , Abdullah Gani , and Ehzaz Mustafa , his work spans computation offloading, resource allocation, and security frameworks. Research Highlights 2017: Analysis of Vector Code Offloading in Heterogeneous Architectures 2021: Survey on Machine Learning for Edge Caching 2023: Reinforcement Learning for Computation Offloading in Vehicular Networks 2024: Blockchain Applications in Land Lease Systems and Employee Transfers 2025: Deep Reinforcement Learning for Resource Optimization His recent work focuses on Deep Learning and Blockchain for latency-sensitive applications in IoT and vehicular networks, published in IEEE Access , Cluster Computing , and Telecommunication Systems . Key co-authors include Faisal Rehman , Abdallah Namoun , and Muhammad Bilal .
Renato Renner is a Full Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of the Institute for Theoretical Physics at ETH Zürich. He specializes in Quantum Information Science, Quantum Thermodynamics, and the Foundations of Quantum Physics. Born in Lucerne, he earned his physics degrees from EPF Lausanne and ETH Zurich, with a PhD focused on quantum cryptography. After postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge, he joined ETH Zurich in 2007, progressing through academic ranks to Full Professor by 2015. His research group, the Research Group for Quantum Information Theory, explores cutting-edge topics like quantum key distribution, device-independent protocols, and the thermodynamic limits of quantum processes. His work bridges theoretical physics and applied cryptography, with contributions to quantum security, entropy accumulation, and foundational questions in quantum mechanics. Notable projects include the Space QUEST mission proposal to test quantum decoherence due to gravity and the development of rigorous security frameworks for quantum communication. Renner’s publications span foundational quantum theory, cryptographic protocols, and interdisciplinary applications of quantum information principles.
Joseph Soryal is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the City College of New York (CCNY) , part of the Grove School of Engineering . He holds additional affiliations with the Computer Science and Cybersecurity departments. His research focuses on advanced telecommunications, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and wireless network innovations. Dr. Soryal's work spans cutting-edge topics such as secure virtual reality environments, autonomous vehicle communication protocols, and satellite-ground network integration. His recent publications emphasize solutions for network security in 5G/6G environments, AI-driven fraud detection, and infrastructure resilience against cyberattacks. Notable research includes developing adaptive beamforming techniques for signal propagation and secure cellular network architectures. His technical contributions address challenges in drone communication systems, holographic data transmission, and emergency response technologies. His work frequently intersects with emerging technologies like reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, smart city infrastructure, and hybrid network architectures for edge computing. While no specific awards or grants are listed, his publications indicate active collaboration with industry on real-world applications of cybersecurity and network optimization. He teaches advanced courses in telecommunications and cybersecurity at CCNY.
Raluca Ada Popa is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley, holding the Robert E. and Beverly A. Brooks Endowed Chair. She leads the Frontier Security team at Google DeepMind and co-founded the RISELab, SkyLab, and DARE diversity program. Her research focuses on systems security, cryptographic computing, and privacy-preserving machine learning. She received her PhD from MIT in 2014, alongside BS and MS degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from MIT. Education: PhD in Computer Science, MIT (2014) MS in Computer Science, MIT (2010) BS in Computer Science and Mathematics, MIT (2009) Research Interests: Popa designs systems that compute securely on encrypted data, enabling confidentiality in cloud computing, AI, and collaborative analytics. Her work bridges cryptography and systems, with contributions to secure multi-party computation, hardware enclaves, and decentralized trust mechanisms. Key innovations include CryptDB, Opaque, and Helen, which have influenced industry standards like Microsoft SQL's Always Encrypted service. Publications & Awards: Over 50+ peer-reviewed papers, including influential work at top venues like USENIX Security, SOSP, and IEEE S&P. Notable awards include the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (2021), Sloan Research Fellowship (2018), and MIT Technology Review's TR35 (2019). Her work has been recognized for advancing secure computing and privacy-preserving technologies. Advising & Grants: Advisor to over 20 PhD students and postdocs, many of whom hold faculty positions or lead industry research. Recipient of major grants including NSF CAREER Award (2020), Bakar Fellowship (2019), and a $10M NSF Expedition for RISELab. Co-founded Opaque Systems (2021) and PreVeil (2015), with significant industry impact. Labs & Teams: Co-director of RISELab (Real-time, Intelligent, Secure Systems) and SkyLab (secure cloud and edge computing). Founded DARE to promote diversity in EECS research, connecting undergraduates with faculty mentors.
Edwin A. Marengo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University (1997), where he is currently a tenured faculty member. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering from the Technological University of Panama (1990), where he graduated as valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude. His research is centered on electromagnetic imaging, inverse scattering, physics-based signal processing, and information theory. He has made significant contributions to time-reversal imaging, compressive sensing, optical theorem applications, and radar signal processing. His work bridges theoretical electromagnetics with practical applications in secure communications, medical imaging, and distributed sensing. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong focus on coherent change detection , scattering-based encryption , data-driven imaging , and the application of the optical theorem in radar and optical systems. His work increasingly integrates compressive sensing and nonlinear inverse methods to solve complex imaging problems in noisy and multipath environments. His scientific honors include: National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award (2008) Fulbright Scholar (1992–1994) Technological University of Panama Most Distinguished Alumnus (2008) Elected Member of URSI Commission B (2006) Senior Member of IEEE and member of OSA, Phi Kappa Phi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Tau Beta Pi Dr. Marengo has advised students and supervised research at both Northeastern and the Technological University of Panama. He has served as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging and IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, and is currently on the editorial board of SpringerPlus. He has led major research grants from the NSF, AFOSR, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory. He is actively involved in professional service, including organizing conference sessions, reviewing for top journals, and mentoring student honor societies. He has also held visiting positions at Boston University (2013) and Tufts University (2020), and has been an invited speaker at institutions in the U.S., Panama, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Chile, and the U.K.
Laurent Réveillère is a researcher affiliated with the University of Bordeaux, focusing on distributed systems, blockchain technologies, and middleware. His work explores fault tolerance, secure communication, and protocol design, with significant contributions to peer sampling, network virtualization, and hardware-assisted security mechanisms.
Aslı Bay is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Antalya Bilim University, Turkey. She serves as Vice Head of her department and coordinates the Cyber Security Master Program. Her academic background spans institutions in Turkey and Switzerland. Bachelor's: Middle East Technical University (Mathematics, 2007) Master's: Middle East Technical University (Cryptography, 2009) Ph.D.: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Communications Sciences, 2014) Her research focuses on cryptography and security, with special emphasis on privacy-preserving computations. Specific subfields include symmetric key cryptography, provable security, cryptanalysis of block ciphers, authenticated encryption, distance-bounding protocols, and privacy-by-design frameworks. She previously held research positions at Turkey's Scientific and Technological Research Council (2015) and Radboud University Nijmegen's Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (2018).
Dominik Schupp is a Lecturer at the Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology , affiliated with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. He works on cybersecurity projects and publications related to eBanking security and cryptology. Institution: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts School: Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology Role: Lecturer Research Interests: Cybersecurity Cryptology Cloud Computing Security Identity Management eBanking Security Information Technology Security Publications Trends: Dominik Schupp's publications focus on practical cybersecurity applications in cloud computing and eBanking. His work spans from 2010 to 2024, with a particular emphasis on security frameworks, cryptology implementation, and digital identity management. Projects: He has been involved in service and research projects such as "eBanking - aber sicher" and "CC Cryptology II - Umsetzung".