Zikai Alex Wen

Zikai Alex Wen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Previously, he earned his PhD from Cornell University in 2021 with a dissertation on educational video games and intelligent tutoring systems. His research bridges multiple domains including privacy-preserving technologies, educational technology, cybersecurity, and accessibility.

Wen's primary research interests focus on differential privacy, educational technology for students with learning disabilities, phishing detection and prevention, and game design for accessibility. His work uniquely combines theoretical privacy foundations with practical applications in education and security. He has made significant contributions to understanding how privacy mechanisms can be effectively explained to users and how to design systems that protect sensitive data while maintaining utility.

His publication record demonstrates consistent output in top venues including IEEE S&P, CHI, ASSETS, and VLDB. Recent work shows increasing focus on generative AI applications for household safety, enhanced differential privacy mechanisms, and continued innovation in educational technology for diverse learners. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across computer security, human-computer interaction, and educational psychology.

Wen has received recognition through publications in prestigious venues but specific awards aren't documented in the available records. His work has been supported by research grants focused on privacy technologies and educational accessibility, though specific grant details aren't provided in the source material.

He maintains active collaborations with researchers worldwide, particularly with Changyu Dong, Wei Cai, and Shiri Azenkot. His research group focuses on developing practical privacy-preserving systems and accessible educational technologies, with ongoing projects exploring the intersection of AI, security, and inclusive design.