Kaki Ryan

Kaki Ryan is a Teaching Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. (2025), M.S. (2021), and B.S. (2020) from UNC, with a minor in AAAD. Her research focuses on hardware security, symbolic execution, and computer science education.

• Education
  • Ph.D., 2025, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • M.S., 2021, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • B.S., 2020, UNC-Chapel Hill (Computer Science and Mathematics)

Ryan's research centers on hardware security, particularly using symbolic execution to identify bugs and vulnerabilities in hardware designs. She also emphasizes broadening participation in computing and improving pedagogical strategies in computer science education.

Her recent publications (2023-2025) explore symbolic execution techniques for hardware security verification, including query caching, information flow analysis, and path explosion mitigation. These works span conferences like ASPLOS, VTS, FMCAD, and workshops such as HASP.

• Scientific Awards
  • John M. Glotzer Graduate Teaching Assistant Award (2020-2021)
  • Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2022)

As an educator, Ryan has served as Instructor of Record for COMP 435 (Computer Security Concepts) and COMP 311 (Computer Organization) in Fall 2025. She has extensive teaching experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Head Teaching Assistant, and Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for courses like COMP 210, COMP 110, and COMP 435, with a focus on data structures, security concepts, and programming fundamentals.