Ahmad Ghafarian

Dr. Ahmad Ghafarian is a Professor of Computer Science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia (UNG), where he has served for over 20 years since 1996. He is a dedicated educator who emphasizes positive teacher-student relationships and has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in computer science and cybersecurity.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Glasgow, UK, 1982
• M.S. in Computer Science, University of Glasgow, UK, 1974
• B.S. in Mathematics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, 1970
• Postdoctoral Studies in Information Security, University of Maryland University College, 2007
• Graduate Certificate in Information Security, Purdue University, 2003

Dr. Ghafarian's research focuses on digital forensics and cybersecurity, with expertise in computer forensics, malware detection, cloud security, social media privacy, and SQL injection attacks. His work involves empirical studies of security tools and protocols, advancing forensic methodologies and security practices through rigorous experimentation and analysis.

His publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational computer science education topics in the 1990s to specialized cybersecurity research since the mid-2000s. Current work emphasizes memory forensics for social media platforms, ransomware detection mechanisms, connected vehicle security, and VoIP system vulnerabilities, reflecting his adaptation to emerging technological threats.

No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the source material.

Dr. Ghafarian has developed comprehensive curricula across 15+ graduate and undergraduate courses including cybersecurity capstones, network security, and computer forensics. His teaching innovations include semester-long projects, ethical case studies, and practical lab components using tools like Kali Linux. While specific grant funding isn't documented, his extensive publication record and curriculum development demonstrate sustained research engagement and academic leadership.