Yixin Sun

Yixin Sun is an Anita Jones Career Enhancement Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Their research focuses on network security and privacy, including routing security, anonymity systems, and network attacks and defenses. Sun holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia (2013) and a Ph.D. from Princeton University (2019).

Research interests span critical areas such as TLS and DNS security, IoT device vulnerabilities, connected vehicle systems, and privacy-preserving protocols like those in the Tor network. Their work addresses real-world challenges, such as securing internet infrastructure against routing attacks and enhancing anonymity in dynamic network environments. Recent publications explore topics like RPKI-based Tor relay selection, Mutual TLS certificate configurations, and Bluetooth traffic interception from health devices.

Despite no explicitly listed scientific awards, Sun’s contributions to network security have advanced methodologies for detecting malicious DNS activities, securing vehicular networks, and improving threat prioritization systems. Their dual appointments reflect expertise bridging computer science and electrical engineering, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to cybersecurity.