Maria Apostolaki is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University. Her research focuses on designing secure, reliable, and high-performance networked systems, integrating expertise in networking, security, blockchain, and machine learning. She holds a Ph.D. from ETH Zurich (2021) and an M.Eng. from the National Technical University of Athens (2015). Education: Ph.D., ETH Zurich 2021 | M.Eng., NTUA 2015 Her work investigates challenges in network security, distributed systems, and adversarial resilience. Notable contributions include SABRE (protecting Bitcoin from routing attacks) and TANGO (collaborative route control). She has advised multiple graduate students in computer science and engineering. Key honors include the NSF CAREER Award and the IRTF/IETF Applied Networking Research Prize (2018). Her lab explores cutting-edge topics like contextual robustness in ML-driven network functions and formal methods for secure systems. Advising: 6 advisees in COS/ECE domains Grants: NSF CAREER Award, innovation grants for AI/robotics Her TANGO framework enables secure cross-domain routing, while recent work addresses vulnerabilities in Ethereum PoS and BGP routing protocols.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Andrew Miller is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Illinois, specializing in Programming Languages, Formal Methods, Software Engineering, Security and Privacy, and Systems and Networking. His research focuses on blockchain technologies, cryptography, and secure systems. Professor Miller's research spans multiple critical areas in modern computer security. His work primarily focuses on blockchain technologies , where he has made significant contributions to understanding and improving the security, privacy, and performance of systems like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He has conducted empirical analyses of privacy in the Lightning Network and developed protocols for confidential smart contracts. His work in cryptography includes research on multiparty computation, zero-knowledge proofs, and formal methods for cryptographic protocol design. Miller also investigates security vulnerabilities in proof-of-stake systems and resource exhaustion attacks, contributing to the robustness of decentralized systems. His applied security research extends to privacy-preserving health applications, as evidenced by his work on the Safer Illinois platform for COVID-19 contact tracing. Miller's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to top security and systems venues including IEEE Security & Privacy, ACM CCS, Financial Cryptography, and USENIX Security. His research shows a clear trajectory from foundational work in blockchain security to more applied systems addressing real-world privacy and security challenges. Recent work focuses on making multiparty computation services publicly auditable and developing decentralized identity solutions that maintain compatibility with existing systems. Distinguished Reviewer Award, IEEE Security & Privacy 2018 Professor Miller has advised students including Vivek Nair, who joined the prestigious Hertz Fellows program in 2022. He has taught various courses including Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation, Advanced Computer Security, Cryptography, Applied Cryptography, and Ideal Functionality in Cryptography. His research has received support through grants including the SaTC: CORE: Medium project on "Automated Support for Writing High-Assurance Smart Contracts" in 2018. Miller is actively involved in research groups focusing on blockchain security, cryptographic protocols, and privacy-preserving systems. His lab appears to collaborate extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, as evidenced by the diverse author lists on his publications. Current work seems to be focused on making decentralized systems more secure, privacy-preserving, and accessible for real-world applications.
Ronald J. Colombo is Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Distance Education at Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law. He teaches courses in Business Organizations, Securities Regulation, Contracts, and corporate law seminars. He has been on the faculty since 2006 and previously served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (2013–2015). Education: JD, New York University School of Law (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif), 1998 BS, Cornell University, 1994 Clerkship: Judge Jerry E. Smith, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Professor Colombo’s research focuses on corporate law, securities regulation, financial regulation, and the constitutional rights of corporations, especially First Amendment protections. His work explores the moral and philosophical underpinnings of corporate personhood, religious liberty in business, and the role of trust in financial systems. He is particularly known for bridging legal doctrine with ethical and theological perspectives. His recent scholarly publications reveal a strong thematic trend: the intersection of religion, corporate governance, and constitutional law. He has also contributed to legal education, especially in online teaching methodologies, and continues to publish on financial regulation and corporate ethics. Scientific Awards: Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publication Lawrence A. Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publication (2008) Professor Colombo has been actively involved in professional service, including serving on the editorial review board of the Review of Business and as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He has not listed any formal research grants or PhD students, but his influence extends through media engagement—quoted in The New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and Bloomberg —and through his widely read op-eds in The Financial Times and Huffington Post . He has held leadership roles in academic administration and is a recognized expert in both practitioner and scholarly legal communities. His treatise Law of Corporate Officers and Directors is republished annually by Thomson Reuters, indicating sustained scholarly and practical impact.
Benedikt Bünz is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He is also a co-founder and chief scientist of Espresso Systems, where he applies his research expertise to real-world blockchain solutions. His academic work bridges theoretical cryptography with practical blockchain implementations, focusing on enhancing privacy, security, and usability of decentralized systems. Dr. Bünz's research centers around applied cryptography, consensus mechanisms, and game theory as they relate to cryptocurrencies. His work spans zero-knowledge proofs, verifiable delay functions, secure multi-party computation, and privacy-preserving protocols. He has made significant contributions to Bulletproofs, a zero-knowledge proof system deployed on blockchains like Monero, and pioneered research in verifiable delay functions which are now part of Ethereum 2.0's design. His recent work focuses on recursive proof systems, accumulation schemes, and efficient verification techniques for blockchain scalability. His publication record shows a consistent progression from foundational cryptographic primitives to practical blockchain implementations. Recent work demonstrates increasing sophistication in recursive proof systems (ProtoStar, HyperPlonk), novel accumulation techniques (ARC, DewTwo), and foundational work on randomness generation (VDFs). His research consistently bridges theoretical cryptography with real-world blockchain applications, resulting in protocols that are both theoretically sound and practically implementable across multiple blockchain platforms. Dr. Bünz actively contributes to the academic community through teaching and mentorship. He teaches courses on cryptography of blockchains and computer security at NYU, providing students with hands-on experience in blockchain security and cryptographic protocols. His industry engagement through Espresso Systems demonstrates his commitment to translating academic research into practical solutions for the blockchain ecosystem.
Ian Miers serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, holding a joint appointment with the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and serving as a core faculty member of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center (MC2). His academic home resides within the Department of Computer Science, though the overarching college/school structure is not explicitly stated in available materials. His research program centers on applied cryptography with a context-driven methodology: starting from real-world security challenges to develop deployable cryptographic protocols. Key focus areas include blockchain privacy (notably Zerocoin/Zerocash), zero-knowledge proofs, anonymous credentials, and secure messaging systems. Miers emphasizes practical implementations that address subtle security requirements in production environments, bridging theoretical cryptography with tangible system security. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in zero-knowledge proof scalability (zkSNARKs), privacy-preserving infrastructure for blockchains, and cryptographic solutions for content moderation in encrypted messaging. His work consistently targets deployable systems, with increasing focus on balancing privacy guarantees with accountability requirements in real-world applications. Miers actively recruits PhD students for hands-on research in his small lab, emphasizing direct collaboration on applied security and blockchain problems. As a founding scientist of Aleo, Bolt Labs, and Zcash, he translates academic research into commercial products, with his work receiving coverage from major media outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Wired.
Assoc Prof Ying Chen is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore , affiliated with the Department of Mathematics, Asian Institute of Digital Finance (as Academic Director of PhD Program in Digital FinTech 2022–2024), Risk Management Institute (2019–2023), Department of Statistics and Data Science (2019–2023), and Department of Economics (2018–2023). She also contributes to NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering since 2016. Research Interests include: AI forecasting and quantum computing for finance Nonstationary time series and functional data analysis Energy data analytics and precision medicine Network autoregression and spatial-temporal modeling Explainable AI and citation metrics Portfolio liquidation and market-making algorithms Article Trends demonstrate expertise in: Adaptive forecasting for gas flows and electricity prices Blockchain network influence detection Quantum computing applications in finance Functional autoregression with mixed predictors Credit rating fairness and explainability High-resolution implied volatility modeling Scientific Awards include: ISI Elected Member (2016–) International Statistical Institute Council (2023–2027) IASC Scientific Secretary (2017–2019, 2023–2025) Advisory roles for EU FIN-TECH and xAIM projects
Zaklina Spalevic is a distinguished Professor at Singidunum University, specializing in the intersection of law, technology, and business. With a strong academic background in criminal law and extensive research in cyber law, artificial intelligence applications in legal systems, and tourism law, she has established herself as a leading scholar in digital legal frameworks. Her work spans multiple disciplines, connecting traditional legal principles with emerging technological challenges. Dr. Spalevic earned her doctoral degree in Criminal Law from the University of the Academy of Economics in Novi Sad (2008-2012), following basic studies in General Law at the University of Pristina (1996-2001). Her educational foundation in Science and Mathematics from First Pristina High School (1992-1996) provided the analytical basis for her interdisciplinary approach to legal scholarship. Her research interests focus on the evolving landscape of cyber law, particularly the legal implications of artificial intelligence in judicial systems, electronic governance, and tourism industry regulation. Dr. Spalevic has pioneered work on digital evidence processing, algorithmic justice, and the integration of green law principles into sustainable business practices. Her publications reveal a consistent pattern of addressing emerging legal challenges in the digital age, with increasing emphasis on AI applications across various legal domains. Analysis of her recent publications shows a clear trend toward interdisciplinary research that bridges law, technology, and business. Her work increasingly focuses on practical applications of legal frameworks for emerging technologies, particularly in tourism, agriculture, and judicial systems. The integration of technical solutions with legal regulation represents a distinctive feature of her scholarly contributions. Dr. Spalevic has authored numerous publications including three books: 'Fundamentals of Law with Special Reference to Business and Tourism Law' (2021, 2024 editions) and 'Legal Aspects of Cyberspace' (2018). Her extensive publication record includes over 100 journal articles and conference papers spanning cyber security, electronic governance, intellectual property in digital environments, and legal frameworks for emerging technologies. She actively contributes to academic discourse through conference presentations and collaborative research projects, particularly focusing on the legal implications of artificial intelligence across various sectors. Her work demonstrates a commitment to developing practical legal frameworks that address real-world technological challenges while maintaining foundational legal principles.
Jeremy Clark is an Associate Professor at the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering (CIISE), Concordia University. His research focuses on security and cryptography with real-world applications to finance and democracy. He holds prestigious industrial research chairs from NSERC, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, and Catallaxy, emphasizing his contributions to blockchain technologies. Clark’s work explores blockchain’s technical and societal impacts, including smart contract vulnerabilities, decentralized finance (DeFi), and cryptographic protocols. His recent articles highlight Ethereum’s security mechanisms, blockchain upgradability, and stablecoin design. Scientific Awards: He holds multiple industrial research chairs for blockchain innovations. His grants reflect industry-academic collaboration in secure blockchain applications. Advising & Grants: While no students are listed, his 'Students' section on his homepage suggests academic mentorship. Grants include his chairs and potential funding for blockchain security projects. Labs/Teams: His affiliation with CIISE implies involvement in interdisciplinary research teams focused on information systems engineering and cybersecurity.
David Cash is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on applied and theoretical cryptography, computer security, and theoretical computer science. He joined UChicago in 2018 and has held roles such as teaching courses in cryptography, computer security, and discrete mathematics. Cash has advised numerous PhD and master’s students, including Sam Everett, Alexander Hoover, and Jesse Stern. His work includes constructing quantum-secure cryptography systems, analyzing encrypted data navigation, and foundational theoretical results. He has received notable awards like the 2025 Quantrell Award for Teaching and multiple Best Paper awards at Eurocrypt. Cash's research also explores secure computation, oblivious RAM, and cryptographic agility. His affiliations include the Systems Group at UChicago, focusing on interdisciplinary systems research. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text. However, his career trajectory suggests advanced degrees in computer science or related fields. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses, emphasizing both theoretical foundations (e.g., discrete mathematics) and applied topics like cryptocurrencies and secure systems. Cash actively engages in academic service, including organizing conferences and reviewing research. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications, addressing modern computational security challenges. His research contributions span cryptographic protocols, secure data structures, and privacy-preserving technologies. Notable projects include work on searchable encryption, leakage-abuse attacks, and cryptographic systems resilient to quantum computing. Cash collaborates with institutions like Rutgers University and has mentored postdoctoral researchers such as Alexander Hoover. His grants include NSF CAREER awards and Simons Institute fellowships, supporting research in secure outsourcing and cryptographic data protection.
Dr Isik Akin is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Bath Spa University and leads the Accounting Pathway. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Financial Management, and Quantitative Research Methods. Education: PhD in Accounting and Finance (Bath Spa University), PhD in Economics and Finance (Istanbul Gelisim University), MSc in Finance (University of the West of England), BSc in Mathematics (Trakya University) Professional Qualifications: Fellowship in Higher Education Academy, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) His research focuses on Behavioral Finance , FinTech , Credit Risk Management , and Sustainable Finance . Recent publications analyze: Enterprise valuation dynamics (FTSE 100) Metaverse asset valuation frameworks Interconnected financial markets (stocks, commodities, crypto) Green investments in real estate He has secured significant international funding including the Connect4Innovation UK-Turkey partnership grant (2021-2022, £50,000) and coordinated EU projects like the Life-Long Learning Programme (2016-2017). Scientific Awards & Roles: Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) certified Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Advisory Board Member: Izlek Academic Journal, Metropolitan Business Review Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Economics and Financial Research His career spans multiple institutions including Worcester University and University of Arts London, with expertise in international finance, quantitative methods, and financial globalization.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Antoinette Schoar is the Stewart C. Myers-Horn Family Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Germany. Her research focuses on entrepreneurial finance, fintech, consumer finance, and cryptocurrencies. She co-founded ideas42, a nonprofit applying behavioral economics to social issues, and co-directs MIT's Consumer Finance Initiative. Education: PhD in Economics, University of Chicago Undergraduate Degree, Germany Research Interests: Her work spans cryptocurrency markets, household finance, and financial intermediation. Recent projects include analyzing the Terra Luna crash, crypto retail trading behavior, and the impact of remote work on labor dynamics. She emphasizes policy-relevant insights, particularly in consumer protection and financial stability. Articles Overview: Her recent publications examine financial advice markets, mortgage market segmentation, and the effects of the pandemic on small businesses. These reflect a focus on real-world applications of financial theory, blending empirical analysis with policy implications. Awards: 2024 TIAA Paul A. Samuelson Award 2009 Kauffman Prize Medal Brattle Prize (Journal of Finance) Advising & Grants: She advises on fintech policy and has led NBER Corporate Finance research. Her executive education courses (e.g., Blockchain and Crypto Applications) bridge academic insights with industry practices. Labs/Initiatives: Co-directs MIT Sloan’s Consumer Finance Initiative, exploring technological impacts on consumer markets. Engaged with the NBER Corporate Finance group and serves as Executive Editor of the Journal of Finance.
Prof. Bryan Ford leads the Decentralized/Distributed Systems (DEDIS) lab at EPFL. He focuses on secure decentralized systems, including blockchain technology, privacy, and systems security. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT and held faculty positions at Yale University and EPFL. His work spans distributed consensus protocols, peer-to-peer networking, and privacy-preserving systems. Key projects include QuePaxa (timeout-free consensus), UIA (global connectivity for mobile devices), and MedCo (secure healthcare data sharing). He advises numerous PhD students and contributes to open-source projects like Bitcoin collective signing and privacy networks like Riffle. Education: Ph.D., MIT; Postdoctoral work at Yale Research interests include blockchain scalability, consensus algorithms, and cryptographic privacy. His lab develops systems like TRIP for coercion-resistant voting and F3B to mitigate blockchain front-running. His work on NAT traversal and peer-to-peer protocols (e.g., STUN/ICE) remains foundational in network architecture. He emphasizes practical, auditable security solutions such as CertiKOS and atomic cross-chain transactions (Atom). Notable contributions: CoSi (collective signing), OmniLedger (sharded blockchain), and privacy-preserving protocols like PURBs (Protected Unsealable Recursive Boxes). His lab collaborates with Swiss Post to audit e-voting systems and designs democratic cryptocurrencies like PoPCoin.
Conor Ryan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick. He is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded Investigator since 2002 and a member of multiple research centres including Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre. His research focuses on Genetic Programming, Grammatical Evolution, and their applications in domains like healthcare analytics, digital circuit design, and financial modeling. He has authored over 250 publications, with recent work emphasizing automated feature selection in medical diagnostics, neural architecture search, and blockchain ecosystems. Teaching includes courses on Foundations of Computer Science and Computer Games Programming. Research interests span evolutionary computation, machine learning, and interdisciplinary applications. Collaborations involve global institutions, reflecting his work's impact across computer science, engineering, and healthcare. His research has addressed challenges in breast cancer diagnosis via genetic algorithms, cryptocurrency volatility prediction using random forests, and automated generation of digital circuits. Ongoing projects explore interpretability in AI, energy-efficient computing, and sustainable transport systems through predictive analytics. Professional memberships include roles in the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and the Data-Driven Computer Engineering Research Centre, underscoring his commitment to interdisciplinary innovation.
Professor Markos Zachariadis is the Chair in Financial Technology (FinTech) and Information Systems at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), University of Manchester. He holds roles in the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Resilient Financial Systems and is a FinTech Research Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Digital Innovation. His research focuses on the economics of digital innovation, payment systems (e.g., SWIFT), and Open Banking. Zachariadis has authored/co-authored influential works such as The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and contributes to policy discussions globally. Education: PhD in Management (Economics of Payment Systems), London School of Economics (2011) MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems, London School of Economics (2004) Bachelor of Economics, University of Patras (2003) Research Interests: Financial Technology, Payment Networks, Digital Innovation, Data Standards, Blockchain, and Regulatory Impact. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in financial infrastructure and digital transformation. Awards: Recipient of prestigious awards including the NET Institute Award and SWIFT Institute Award for contributions to payment systems and Open Banking research. Grants & Advisory Roles: Leads projects on FinTech regulation and financial crime, collaborating with institutions like the Hellenic Competition Commission. His advisory roles span global organizations including the Bank of England and European Commission. Labs/Teams: Founding Director of the Centre for Financial Technology Studies (CFTS) at Manchester Business School, fostering interdisciplinary research in FinTech.
Christina L. Garman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, where she joined in Spring 2018. Her research focuses on practical cryptography and cryptographic automation to make secure system development accessible to non-experts through error-resistant design methodologies. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Bucknell University (2011) Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Bucknell University (2011) Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (2013) Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (2017) Professor Garman's work centers on real-world cryptographic system security, spanning protocol analysis (e.g., RC4 in TLS, Apple iMessage flaws), decentralized anonymous systems (Zerocash/ZCash), and cryptographic automation. She pioneered techniques for removing human error in cryptographic deployments through automated tools and frameworks. Her research bridges theoretical cryptography with practical implementation challenges in privacy-preserving technologies and secure infrastructure. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals expanding research horizons: hardware security vulnerabilities (Rowhammer, SGX), privacy network enhancements (Tor onion services), software supply chain security (SBOM tools), and advanced cryptographic protocols (zkSNARKs, MPC). This evolution demonstrates consistent focus on real-world security impact while diversifying into hardware-software cross-layer threats and formal verification methods for cryptographic implementations. Her major scientific recognitions include: NSF CAREER Award (2021) for cryptographic automation research ACM CCS Best Paper Award (2016) for iMessage security analysis IEEE Test of Time Award (2024) for foundational Zerocash work Professor Garman co-founded ZCash, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency based on her Zerocash protocol, and her NSF CAREER grant supports cryptographic automation development. Her research has received significant media coverage in The Washington Post, Wired, and The New York Times, highlighting real-world relevance. While specific student advising details aren't public, her active publication record indicates ongoing mentorship of graduate researchers in security and cryptography. Her work maintains strong industry connections through ZCash development and Tor network contributions, with recent projects like keyless CDNs demonstrating practical applications of cryptographic automation. She remains a leading voice in cryptographic research communities through conference participation and collaborative projects addressing evolving security challenges.
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