Virtualised Computing Professors and Supervisors

Evangelos PallisView profile

Professor

University of West AtticaGreece

Evangelos Pallis is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering at the University of West Attica. Previously, he was faculty at the Electrical and Computer Engineering department of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (2005-2021) and research associate at the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos (2000-2005). His educational background includes a BEng in Electronics Engineering from the Technological Educational Institute of Crete (1994), a Masters in Telecommunications (1997), and a PhD from the University of East London (2003). Professor Pallis specializes in telecommunications infrastructure with research interests spanning: Wireless access and backbone networks Management and control of 4G/5G networks Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) Mobile cloud computing and edge computing IoT applications for smart cities and precision agriculture His research output includes over 150 scientific papers with more than 2,400 citations (h-index 27 in Google Scholar), supported by 14 national-funded programs and 18 EU-funded R&D projects. His notable scientific achievements include: European Patent EP3301945 (A1) Professor Pallis has supervised 70+ undergraduate projects, 3 MSc theses, and 7 PhD dissertations. He serves as member of IEE/IET and IEEE/ComSoc, Editorial Board member (Regional Editor) for Information Technology Journal, and reviewer for IEEE Network Magazine and other publications. He chairs the International Conference on Telecommunications and Multimedia (TCS by IEEE/ComSoc) and participates in IETF CDNi and ETSI NG112 standardization efforts.

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James KadirireView profile

Senior Lecturer

Anglia Ruskin UniversityUnited Kingdom

Dr. James Kadirire is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Science within Anglia Ruskin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2008, he specializes in Cyber Security, Networking, and Software Defined Networking while contributing to the university's Cyber Security and Networking Research Group. His academic credentials include a PhD in Computer Science from University College London (UCL), a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from Anglia Ruskin University. His research evolved from mobile learning for disaffected youths to advanced cybersecurity frameworks and network automation. Dr. Kadirire's research spans Network Security, Cybersecurity, Software Defined Networking, Service Discovery, Virtualisation, Cloud Computing, and Mobile E-Learning. His publications demonstrate a clear trajectory from early work on service discovery and mobile learning environments toward contemporary cybersecurity applications, particularly in secure online transactions and network security protocols. His scholarly output reveals dominant themes in transaction security (including disposable credit card systems and WPKI), mobile learning environments, and service discovery mechanisms, with increasing focus on practical cybersecurity implementations in network infrastructure. Key recognitions include: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Member of IEEE and IEEE Computer Society Member of IET (MIET) Chartered Engineer (CEng) accreditation Royal Academy of Engineering International Travel Grant (2007) As an active research supervisor, Dr. Kadirire secured the Royal Academy of Engineering International Travel Grant to present at IEEE Portable 2007. He contributes significantly to the Cyber Security and Networking Research Group, focusing on real-world applications of network security and SDN technologies while maintaining industry-aligned Cisco certifications. His teaching portfolio includes Ethical Hacking, Network Security and Incident Response, Advanced Network Solutions, and Routing courses, reflecting his commitment to practical cybersecurity education since joining higher education in 2007.

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Kasra KassaiView profile

Lecturer

London South Bank UniversityUnited Kingdom

Dr. Kasra Kassai is a Lecturer in Digital Analytics at London South Bank University (LSBU), focusing on machine learning, edge computing, and sustainable computing. His research addresses energy-efficient systems and carbon-aware applications for 6G frameworks. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from LSBU and academic degrees from City, University of London. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Intelligent Energy Optimisation for Sustainable Edge Computing), London South Bank University (2019–2024) MSc in Software Engineering (with Merit), City, University of London (2016–2018) BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, City, University of London (2012–2016) Research & Roles: Kassai is an Early Career Researcher specialising in network programmability and sustainable computing. He co-leads the Business and Economics Insight Research Group and is a member of the Digital x Data Research Centre. His work includes the EU-funded CiProVoT project and contributions to the Smart Internet Technologies Hub (SITHub). He is a Fellow of Advance HE and affiliated with IEEE, BCS, and ACM. Awards: Fellow of Advance HE MSc in Software Engineering with Merit Teaching & Advising: Supervises PhD projects in carbon-aware systems and teaches courses like ICT Project Management, Information Systems, and Operating Systems. He advises the BSc Computer Networks programme at the University of Manchester and examines for the University of Essex. Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Smart Internet Technologies Hub (SITHub) and contributes to interdisciplinary research groups focused on digital transformation and sustainable computing.

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Kamran AliView profile

Senior Lecturer

Middlesex UniversityUnited Kingdom

Dr. Kamran Ali is a Senior Lecturer in the Computer Science Department at Middlesex University's Faculty of Science and Technology since 2020. He holds a PhD in Communication Architecture Design, supported by the Newton Fund/British Council Institute. His research spans IoT, wireless networks, D2D communication, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and disaster infrastructure modeling. He actively leads international projects such as the EMERALD initiative for environmental monitoring and the ICRG Pakistan-UK collaboration. Dr. Ali is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and contributes to IEEE conferences as a technical reviewer and committee member. His teaching roles include leading modules like CST4570 Virtualisation and Cloud Computing and CST2590 Internet of Things. Research interests include heterogeneous networks, digital twin technology, energy-efficient systems, and smart city infrastructure. His funded projects address challenges in environmental monitoring, disaster response, and public safety networks. Education: PhD in Communication Architecture Design (Newton Fund/British Council) Grants: ICRG (Pakistan-UK), EMERALD (with VIT India), and UKIERI projects Committees: IEEE Technical Programme Committee member and TPC Chair Key research trends include integrating AI/ML in environmental and disaster management, optimizing vehicular and edge networks, and enhancing cybersecurity for healthcare and financial systems. His work bridges technological innovation with real-world applications like smart cities and sustainable development. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) Grants & Collaboration: Oversees multiple international research partnerships and leads innovation in public safety communication systems Dr. Ali collaborates with global institutions on projects like drone-based small cells for emergency networks and energy-efficient architectures for critical infrastructure. His interdisciplinary approach addresses challenges in both technical and societal domains.

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Tom SpinkView profile

Lecturer

University of St AndrewsUnited Kingdom

Dr. Tom Spink is a Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on efficient cross-architecture hardware virtualization, leveraging Dynamic Binary Translation (DBT) and hardware acceleration to enhance virtualized system performance. He teaches Operating Systems (CS3104) and Computer Architecture (CS4202), and serves as the First-level CS Coordinator. Dr. Spink holds a PhD in computer systems architecture from the University of Edinburgh and is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS). His research interests span operating systems, virtualization, compilers, and runtime systems. Notable contributions include work on DBT hypervisors, weak memory model architectures (Risotto/Lasagne), and embedded systems security. He has been awarded the Best Paper Award in 2019 for his work on retargetable DBT hypervisors. Dr. Spink advises PhD student Ferdia McKeogh and collaborates on tools like Risotto and Lasagne. His work addresses challenges in cross-platform execution, IoT virtualization, and compiler optimizations for embedded systems. He actively engages in academic activities, including organizing conferences and delivering invited talks on hardware acceleration and virtualization techniques.

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Ahmet SoyluView profile

Professor

Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for InformaticsGermany

Ahmet Soylu is currently Dean of the School of Doctoral Studies and Professor of Computer Science at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Oslo, Norway. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at the University of Oslo (UiO) . Previous roles: Full Professor at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University (Innovation, Digital Transformation, Sustainability group), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Researcher background: Senior Scientist at SINTEF Digital, Senior Engineer at DNV, Postdoctoral Fellow at UiO, Visiting Researcher at University of Oxford PhD in Computer Science (2012) from University of Leuven, Belgium His research focuses on ontology-driven information systems with a human-computer interaction perspective, particularly for industrial data integration and Big Data using Semantic Web and Linked Data technologies. Key topics include: Visual query systems for non-technical users End-user development frameworks Digital transformation in enterprise environments Knowledge representation for data access Recent publications include work on semantic analytics in industrial contexts like Siemens and Statoil, with a particular emphasis on streaming data and static data integration . He has contributed to the development of the OptiqueVQS system for visual query formulation. As a project leader, he has coordinated major EU-funded initiatives such as: TheyBuyForYou (Horizon 2020) Optique (EU FP7) iCamp , ROLE , LEGIS LEFIS , TREE (FP6/FP7) He serves on editorial boards for: Journal of Web Semantics (JoWS) Transactions on Graph Data and Knowledge (TGDK) Professional activities include organizing: Declarative AI series (RuleML+RR) Reasoning Web Summer School DecisionCAMP conferences

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Francesco CirielloView profile

Senior Lecturer

King’s College LondonUnited Kingdom

Dr Francesco Ciriello serves as Senior Lecturer in Engineering Education and Deputy Head of Department (Education) within the Department of Engineering at King's College London, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He additionally holds a visiting lecturer position at the University of Oxford for continued professional development courses on Artificial Intelligence for Cloud & Edge and Digital Twins: Enhancing Model-based design with Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality. His academic background includes a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge focusing on experimental fluid dynamics and a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Imperial College London. Prior to his current role, he provided consultancy services to educators and researchers on MATLAB & Simulink development at MathWorks. Dr Ciriello's research centers on Engineering Education with specialization in integrated design & simulation, laboratory virtualisation, and robotics & control systems. He applies expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Simulation to robotics, signal processing, and IoT, while maintaining active research in environmental fluid dynamics and experimental flow measurement. His work bridges traditional engineering disciplines with emerging digital technologies. His publication on simulation in open-ended design education reflects broader trends toward interdisciplinary problem-based learning and the integration of advanced computational tools in engineering curricula. Key recognition includes: Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (2025) as core member of King's multi-disciplinary engineering education team Dr Ciriello led the development of King's new Autodesk partnership course teaching product design for manufacture and drives laboratory innovation across the department. His consultancy work extends to supporting educators in software development for engineering applications. He actively participates in a multi-disciplinary team comprising academics, technicians, and students that develops cutting-edge educational approaches, including virtual laboratory environments and AI-enhanced design workflows.

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Nicholas RaceView profile

Professor

Lancaster UniversityUnited Kingdom

Nicholas Race is a Professor of Networked Systems at Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Research for the Faculty of Science & Technology since 2020. His academic career at Lancaster spans over two decades, progressing from Research Assistant (2000-2001) to his current professorship (2017-present), with previous roles including Reader in Networking (2015-2017) and Senior Lecturer (2008-2015). His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy from Lancaster University (2000) and a 1st Class B.Sc. Hons in Computer Science from the same institution (1996). Race leads significant research initiatives including NG-CDI (an EPSRC/BT funded Prosperity Partnership), AI4ME (an EPSRC/BBC funded project), and MANY, building on previous leadership roles in projects such as 5GRIT, INITIATE, MPAT, and several EU-funded initiatives. Race's research focuses on Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) for developing next-generation networking services. His work spans network security (including the TENNISON framework for distributed SDN security), media distribution with Quality of Experience optimization, and autonomic network management. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on intent-based networking, security automation, quality of experience in adaptive streaming, and the integration of 5G with other networking technologies. His scholarly output shows consistent contributions across multiple venues, with recent work addressing challenges in low-latency streaming, network security evaluation frameworks, and the practical implementation of software-defined networking concepts. The publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach bridging theoretical networking concepts with practical implementations. Race serves on the editorial board of Computer Communications and has held leadership roles in major conferences including as Programme Co-Chair of DE2013: Open Digital and as PC Member for ACM Multimedia, Multimedia Systems, and EWSDN. As a research supervisor, he mentors multiple PhD students working on topics related to SDN, network security, and media delivery. His projects attract significant funding from EPSRC, BT, BBC, and EU sources, demonstrating the applied relevance of his work to both industry and academic communities. Race is affiliated with several research groups including the Cyber Security Research Centre (Networking), Data Science Institute Foundations, Security Lancaster (Networks), and other specialized centers focusing on network security and systems.

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Dimitrios PezarosView profile

Professor

University of GlasgowUnited Kingdom

Professor Dimitrios Pezaros is a full Professor of Computer Networks and holds the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Digital Resilience for Critical National Infrastructure at the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science. He leads the Networked Systems Research Laboratory (Netlab) and directs the Glasgow Cyberdefence Lab. His roles include former Head of the Glasgow Systems Section (GLASS) and visiting professor at the University of Athens. Education: BSc (Hons) and PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University Doctoral fellow of Agilent Technologies Inc. (2000–2004) Research Interests: Focuses on network and service management, digital resilience of critical infrastructures, and next-generation networking technologies like NFV and SDN. His work emphasizes cybersecurity for industrial systems, programmable networks, and edge computing. Grants & Funding: Secured major grants from EPSRC, EC, Dstl, RAEng, and industry partners (BT, EDF, NXP). Currently serves on the EPSRC Digital Security and Resilience Strategic Advisory Team. Labs & Teams: Leads Netlab and Glasgow Cyber Defence Lab, advancing research in programmable network architectures, OT security, and resilience engineering. Active in industry partnerships for applied research.

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Awais Aziz ShahView profile

Lecturer

University of GlasgowUnited Kingdom

Dr. Awais Aziz Shah is a Lecturer in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the Glasgow Systems Section (GLASS) and Netlab (Networked Systems Research Laboratory). His research focuses on Software-Defined Networks (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and resilient network architectures. He holds a PhD from Politecnico di Bari, Italy, where his thesis involved SDN-based frameworks for VNF orchestration in optical networks. He has collaborated with industry partners like SMOptics and Experis, and worked as a Research Fellow on Scotland’s 5G testbed projects. His research interests span container networking, edge computing, anomaly detection, and cybersecurity. He leads projects like COCOON (Horizon Europe) for power grid cyber protection and ECO-INSIGHT (EPSRC) for sustainability-driven AI systems. He supervises PhD students in areas like NFV orchestration and virtual reality applications. He teaches Advanced Networked Systems, Networks and Operating Systems, and Secured Software Engineering courses. Key grants include ORBICULAR (EPSRC) for satellite image recognition and COCOON for smart grid cybersecurity. His work emphasizes practical solutions for low-latency, energy-efficient networks and resilient systems.

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Christopher EdwardsView profile

Senior Lecturer

Lancaster UniversityUnited Kingdom

Christopher Edwards is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computing and Communications , Lancaster University, UK. He also serves as the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Science and Technology. His career spans over two decades at Lancaster, transitioning from a Research Assistant (1999–2000) to Lecturer (2000–2009) and Senior Lecturer (2009–present). Education : PhD in Computer Science, Lancaster University (2000) 1st Class B.Sc. Hons in Computer Studies, Liverpool John Moores University (1995) Research Focus : Edwards specializes in network infrastructure support for disaster recovery and rescue services, network mobility and multihoming, and networked multimedia caching. His work addresses secure, seamless network access for mobile hosts and networks, supported by grants from the European Commission (u2010 project), JANET UK (Mobile IP Trails), and Cisco Systems. He contributes to future Internet protocols, multimedia communications, network support for GRID applications, quality of service (QoS), and traffic engineering. Recent Publications : His 2025 article, REMEDIATE: Improving Network and Middlebox Resilience with Virtualisation , highlights advancements in network resilience, aligning with his broader research in disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and multimedia caching. Scientific Recognition : Edwards has held leadership roles in academia, including General Chair for GridNets and Guest Editor for the International Journal of Grid Computing. He has also contributed to program committees of major conferences like IEEE Bandwidth on Demand (BoD) and IFIP/IEEE Protocols for High-Speed Networks (PfHSN). Grants & Projects : Notable projects include the EU-funded u2010 initiative, JANET UK’s Mobile IP Trails, and industry collaborations with Cisco Systems. His research has been supported by EPSRC and EU funding mechanisms. Research Groups : Affiliated with Security Lancaster and the SCC (Networking) research group, he explores systems security and advanced networking solutions.

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Marco Perez HernandezView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of the West of EnglandUnited Kingdom

Marco Perez Hernandez is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Creative Technologies at the University of the West of England Bristol. His research focuses on distributed intelligent systems, multiagent systems, and their applications in IoT environments and digital infrastructures. Specializes in agent-based control systems and network intent control Recipient of UWE’s Vice Chancellor Early Career Research Award 2022 His work explores the dynamics of complex networks of agents, designing algorithms for collective learning and self-organization. The research emphasizes reducing platform dependencies in MAS through container-based virtualization, enabling flexible and cost-effective deployment. Scientific awards include: UWE’s Vice Chancellor Early Career Research Award 2022 Projects: GLOW-Energy (EPSRC, Co-I) LLM Agents in coding (UWE CATE, PI) NGCDI (EPSRC & BT, Researcher)

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Jorge Arrieta SanagustínView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of the Balearic IslandsSpain

Jorge Arrieta Sanagustín is a Tenured Contract Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). He specializes in fluid mechanics and is affiliated with two R+D+I groups: Optics and Nonlinear Science (ONL) and Solar Energy, Optics, Virtualised Computing and Energy Conversion Systems (SOLVER) . Teaching areas: Biophysics, Function Spaces, Mechanics, Fundamentals of Facilities, and Quantum Field Theory Research focus: Optics, nonlinear dynamics, solar energy, and fluid mechanics Office: Room C-207, second floor, Guillem Cifre de Colonya building Contact: Phone +34 971 173 281 (extension 3281) His work spans fundamental and applied physics, with a particular emphasis on optics and energy conversion systems. He contributes to both undergraduate (Physics and Construction degrees) and postgraduate (Master's in Advanced Physics and Applied Mathematics) programs.

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