Lukasz (Luke) ZiarekView profile
Associate Professor
Lukasz (Luke) Ziarek serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical systems engineering, focusing on real-time capabilities in distributed environments and safety-critical applications. His educational foundation includes a PhD in Computer Science from Purdue University (2011) and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Chicago (2003). Ziarek's research centers on formal verification of distributed protocols , real-time systems engineering , and mobile/embedded computing . He pioneers session type theory for IoT security, develops real-time variants of Android (RTDroid) and Standard ML (RTML), and investigates UAV software reliability. His work consistently addresses the tension between theoretical guarantees and practical system constraints in concurrency, timing, and security. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal three dominant trajectories: formal methods for rate-based session types in IoT protocols, performance analysis of visual SLAM systems for robotics, and security vulnerabilities in embedded platforms like ARM TrustZone. These threads converge on ensuring correctness and timeliness in resource-constrained distributed systems. His scientific accolades include the IEEE Region One Technological Innovation Award (2023) and NSF CAREER Award (2018), reflecting dual excellence in research and education. IEEE Region One Technological Innovation (Academic) Award, 2023 President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring, 2022 NSF CAREER Award, 2018 SEAS Early Career Teacher of the Year, 2016 Halstead Award for Outstanding Research in Software Engineering, 2009 Intel Fellowship, 2008 GAANN Fellowship, 2004 Ziarek directs significant research initiatives including a $900K NSF UAV infrastructure project (as PI) and a $1.7M MRI grant for connected vehicle testing. His funding portfolio spans real-time systems, compiler design, and pocket-scale data management, emphasizing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to software reliability. CRI:CI-New UAV Infrastructure ($900K, PI 31%) NSF CAREER: Real-time Object-Oriented Systems ($500K, PI 100%) MRI: iCAVE2 Vehicle Testing ($1.7M, co-PI 14%) III: Just-in-Time Data Structures ($499K, co-PI 50%) II-EN: MLton Compiler Research ($606K, PI 63%) He leads an open-source ecosystem including RTDroid (real-time Android), Multi-MLton (parallel SML compiler), and BlueSeal (Android security analyzer), fostering community-driven advances in systems software.






