Ebru Cankaya

Ebru Cankaya is a Senior Lecturer II in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), part of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Ege University (Turkey) and has extensive academic experience across multiple institutions, including adjunct roles at Southern Methodist University and visiting professorships at Izmir University of Economics and Earlham College. Her research focuses on cybersecurity, risk modeling in databases, lossless text compression, and cloud computing. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the 2019 Outstanding Faculty of the Year award at UTD.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Ege University (2004)
• M.S. in Computer Science and IT & Management, Ege University (2004/2009)
• MBA in Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ege University (2000)
• B.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Ege University (1994)

Research Interests:

• Computer and Network Security: Including access control models (e.g., Bell-LaPadula, Chinese Wall) and cryptographic techniques.
• Risk Modeling in Databases: Focusing on privacy-preserving data storage and obfuscation strategies.
• Text Compression: Innovations in encoding methods like Star Encoding and hybrid techniques.
• Cloud Computing: Security and dependability in distributed systems.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2022: Teaching Award, Jonsson School
• 2019: Outstanding Faculty of the Year
• 2013: Faculty of the Month (NACURH)
• Multiple nominations for University and System-Wide Teaching Awards
• TUBITAK/EBILTEM Research Awards (2003–2004)

Her professional activities include organizing doctoral symposiums (e.g., COMPSAC 2012/2013), participating in faculty development programs (e.g., Working Connections IT Institute), and mentoring undergraduate researchers. She has held academic roles across Turkey and the U.S. since 1997, including research assistantships at Ege University and a decade-long tenure at Ege University as a lecturer and assistant professor.