Lily Rui Liang

Lily Rui Liang is a Professor and Director of the MSCS Program in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She joined UDC in 2004 after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno

Dr. Liang's research spans cybersecurity, digital image processing, artificial intelligence, and computer science education, with a dedicated focus on broadening participation in computing. Her technical work includes deepfake detection and reinforcement learning for cybersecurity, while her educational innovations develop inclusive curricula for commuter and underrepresented students through Minecraft, robotics, and service learning.

Analysis of her recent publications (2024-2018) shows a strategic evolution from core AI/image processing research toward educational interventions, particularly addressing commuter student engagement in urban settings while maintaining technical contributions in multimedia security and deep learning.

Her scientific awards and honors include:

• Fellow of Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership (CASL) (2019-2020)
• Fellow of Opportunities for UnderRepresented Scholars (OURS) (2014)
• Outstanding University Service Award from School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UDC (2014)
• Myrtilla Miner Faculty Fellow (2012-2013)
• Frontiers of Engineering Education (FOEE) Conference participant, NAE (2011)
• Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Summer Leadership Institute participant (2011)
• Preparing Critical Faculty for the Future (PCFF) program participant (2011)

Dr. Liang serves as Co-PI on multiple NSF grants including the UDC-CSEC-ENGAGE Project ($399,924, 2024-2027) for cybersecurity workforce development, CUE-T: HBCU Learning Community ($654,004, 2023-2026), and the AI-CyS Research Partnership ($152,350, 2021-2024) with six HBCUs and national labs. Her mentorship is evidenced through extensive curriculum development projects targeting K-12 and undergraduate students, particularly women and commuters.

She leads the MSCS program and coordinates the AI-CyS consortium researching video authentication and autonomous cybersecurity agents, establishing UDC as a hub for HBCU cybersecurity education and AI research.