Briana Wellman

Briana Wellman is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academics at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of the District of Columbia (UDC). She leads academic affairs while maintaining active roles in research and teaching, particularly in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Her academic career includes chairing the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology from 2017 to 2024.

Education: Earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from the University of Alabama.

Research Interests: Focus on multi-robot systems, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, computer science education innovation, and applying robotics in interdisciplinary contexts like fashion and disaster relief. Recent work emphasizes post-pandemic learning strategies for urban commuter campuses and hybrid anomaly detection models.

Publications: Recent contributions include studies on malware detection using neural networks, post-pandemic education frameworks, and multi-robot coordination algorithms. Her work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in security and education.

Awards: Recognized with the 2023 Women of Color Rising Star Award for her contributions to STEM education and research.

Grants & Leadership: Secured multiple NSF grants, including funding for HBCU learning communities in computing, cybersecurity research centers, and AI-cybersecurity partnerships. Her leadership extends to academic program development and curriculum innovation.

Labs/Teams: Involved in NSF-supported initiatives such as the Cyber Security Research and Development (CSRD) Center and the AI-CyS research partnership, fostering collaborative research ecosystems.