Daniel Koranek

Daniel Koranek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), part of Air University at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from AFIT (2022), an M.S. in Cyber Operations (2010), and a B.S. in Computer Science from Cedarville University (2008).

Research Interests: Dr. Koranek's work centers on cybersecurity, particularly in detecting sophisticated software attacks like Return-Oriented Programming (ROP), using machine learning and deep neural networks for malware analysis, and developing hardware-level anti-tamper techniques. His interdisciplinary research bridges computer science, artificial intelligence, and electrical engineering, with a strong focus on defense applications.

His publications in IEEE Access, NAECON, and ICCWS demonstrate a consistent trajectory in applying advanced computational models to cybersecurity challenges, especially in transforming executable code into analyzable formats (e.g., video-like sequences) and monitoring system-on-chip behavior for anomalies. This reflects a broader trend toward data-driven, AI-powered cyber defense mechanisms.

• Scientific Awards:
• Best Paper/Presentation Award, 16th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS 2021)

As a faculty member at AFIT, Dr. Koranek is likely involved in advising graduate students and leading research projects, potentially funded by U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense grants. His collaborations with researchers such as M.L. Santacroce and R. Jha suggest active participation in a cybersecurity research team focused on AI-driven threat detection. While specific lab affiliations are not mentioned, his work implies involvement in cyber defense and machine learning laboratories at AFIT.