Miguel L. Pardal is an Assistant Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and a researcher at INESC-ID's Distributed Systems Group (GSD). His work focuses on Cybersecurity, Distributed Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cloud Computing. He has led projects like the EU-funded Safe Cloud initiative and contributed to intrusion recovery systems (e.g., MIRES, μVerum) and blockchain-based solutions (e.g., ChainGuard, EvoChain). His research addresses challenges in secure communication, resilient distributed architectures, and location-based systems. Since 2002, he has taught courses on Network Security, Distributed Systems, and Operating Systems. His projects often intersect academia and industry, emphasizing practical applications in critical infrastructure and smart technologies. Collaborations include developing systems for vehicle-pedestrian safety (SafeWalk) and decentralized identity management. He has authored over 30 publications, with recent work covering blockchain resilience, intrusion detection in industrial processes (IM-DISCO), and generative AI for distributed algorithms. His contributions span academic conferences (DSN, EuroSys) and journals (IEEE Transactions).
Silvia Mella is an Assistant Professor in the Digital Security (DiS) group at Radboud University, Netherlands, and a member of the Cryptographic Engineering & Side-Channel Analysis (CESCA) Lab. Her research focuses on cryptographic hardware for embedded devices, including secure implementations of cryptographic algorithms and analysis of side-channel and fault attacks. She holds a PhD from the University of Milan (2018) and previously worked at STMicroelectronics (2015–2022), developing hardware accelerators for public-key cryptography. She has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, co-authored over 30 publications, and contributed to cryptographic standards like ASCON and Xoodoo. Her work emphasizes bridging theoretical cryptography with practical hardware security solutions. Education: Bachelor and M.Sc. in Mathematics, University of Milan, Italy PhD in Cryptography (2018), University of Milan, Italy Research Interests: Design/analysis of symmetric cryptographic schemes Hardware implementation security Side-channel and fault attack countermeasures Post-quantum cryptography Lightweight cryptographic primitives Recent Research Trends: Recent work focuses on novel code-based cryptographic constructions (ChiLow/ChiChi), low-latency pseudorandom functions (Koala), and SCA-resistant implementations of algorithms like Xoodoo and Xoodyak. Her research bridges theoretical cryptographic analysis with practical hardware vulnerabilities, often leveraging machine learning techniques for attack detection. Advising & Collaboration: Co-supervised 10+ PhD/Master students on topics like cryptographic permutations and post-quantum schemes Active in industry-academia collaborations through STMicroelectronics and PROACT projects Involved in open-source cryptographic library development Labs & Teams: Leading research in the CESCA Lab at Radboud University, focusing on cryptographic engineering and embedded system security. Collaborates with the Politecnico di Milano and STMicroelectronics on hardware security projects.
Simona Samardjiska is an Assistant Professor in the Digital Security Group at Radboud University, The Netherlands, since 2017. Previously, she held an assistant professor position at the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia (2015–2017). She earned her PhD in Cryptography from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2015, focusing on multivariate cryptography under Danilo Gligoroski. Her academic background includes a master’s degree in Computer Science and a diploma in Pure Mathematics from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Skopje. Her research primarily revolves around post-quantum cryptography, including multivariate, code-based, and lattice-based systems, alongside symmetric cryptography and Boolean functions. Notable contributions include the MQDSS digital signature scheme (a NIST PQC candidate) and the MEDS submission to NIST’s round 3. She has published extensively in top venues like EUROCRYPT, ASIACRYPT, and IEEE Transactions. Samardjiska teaches courses such as Cryptology (NWI-IMC063), Applied Cryptography (NWI-IMC061), and Security (NWI-IPC021) at Radboud University. She actively participates in standardization efforts, conferences, and workshops, including organizing CrossFyre (EUROCRYPT 2021/2020) and serving on program committees for CBCrypto, CANS, and others. Her professional activities emphasize fostering diversity in computing and advancing cryptographic research.
Engelbert Hubbers is a Lecturer at Radboud University, affiliated with the Digital Security Group within the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS). His primary role involves teaching responsibilities across multiple courses such as Mathematical Structures, Formal Reasoning, and Logic and Applications. His research interests focus on formal methods, electronic voting systems, and discrete mathematics, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity applications like Java Card security and e-passport systems. Engelbert has contributed to significant projects such as the RIES internet voting system and the KOA remote voting system, emphasizing formal verification and secure protocol design. He has held roles in academic governance, including membership in the Exam Committee and Program Committee of iCIS. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in secure voting technologies and embedded systems. Publications span topics from formal logic in education to cryptographic protocols, reflecting his transition from foundational research (e.g., polynomial automorphisms) to applied security. His teaching includes coordinating courses on formal reasoning, discrete mathematics, and semantics, demonstrating a commitment to both education and cybersecurity innovation.
Olivier Blazy is a Professor at École Polytechnique, specializing in cryptographic protocols and security analysis. His research spans post-quantum cryptography, implicit cryptography, end-to-end encryption, and online age verification systems. Current affiliations: École Polytechnique (since 2021), LIX Grace Lab Previous institutions: University of Limoges (2014-2021), Ruhr University Bochum (2012-2014), École Normale Supérieure (2009-2012) Blazy’s work focuses on developing quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions, including secret sharing mechanisms, oblivious transfer protocols, and code-based encryption systems. He has contributed to the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography standardization process. His research includes a taxonomy for post-compromise security, analyzing recovery speeds of protocols like Signal and 5G handover systems. Recent publications explore bivariate proximity tests, cryptographic accumulators, and identity-based revocation schemes. Blazy has been featured in media discussing cybersecurity policy, including: Critique of French government’s StopCovid contact-tracing app (2020-2022) Analysis of EU digital identity frameworks (2024) Commentary on online age verification and privacy (2023) He teaches advanced cryptography courses covering encryption, differential privacy, and cryptanalysis techniques.
Mathy Vanhoef is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Science of KU Leuven , affiliated with the Distributed and Secure Software (DistriNet) group and involved in multiple cybersecurity councils. His research focuses on wireless protocol vulnerabilities, particularly Wi-Fi security flaws in modern standards like WPA2 and WPA3. He has led significant projects on network protocol analysis and security mitigation strategies. Research Interests: Exploiting design flaws in wireless protocols Side-channel attack mechanisms Network stack security analysis Cryptographic protocol weaknesses Man-in-the-middle attack prevention Scientific Contributions: Discovered fundamental Wi-Fi vulnerabilities (FragAttacks) Exposed critical flaws in Cloudflare WARP and WPA3 implementations Developed testing tools for wireless protocol security Teaching: Vanhoef teaches courses including Introduction to ICT Security , CyberSecurity Basics , and Security Through the Software Lifecycle . He is actively involved in cybersecurity education and research at KU Leuven.
Chris Hawblitzel is a Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research's Systems Research Group . His work spans programming languages, operating systems, formal verification, and security, with a focus on integrating systems concepts into safe language environments. Research Themes : Systems verification, security, concurrent programming, and type systems Awards : Distinguished Artifact Awards (2025, 2024), Jay Lepreau Best Paper Award (2024), Best Paper Awards (PLDI 2010, EuroSys 2006) His recent publications (2025-2022) focus on Rust verification ( Verus ), storage/distributed systems verification ( PoWER , IronFleet ), and cryptographic systems ( EverCrypt ). He contributes to foundational work in linear types, ghost state, and automated proof generation for systems code. Notable collaborations include work with Bryan Parno , Jon Howell , and Jay Lorch on verification frameworks and security modules for modern computing environments.
Kathrin Hövelmanns is a tenured Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Mathematics and Computer Science school, specializing in Applied and Provable Security. Her research addresses the threat of quantum computing to current cryptographic systems, focusing on post-quantum security mechanisms. She has contributed to the theoretical foundation of Kyber, a NIST-emerging standard for public-key encryption. PhD in Cryptology from Ruhr University Bochum BSc/MSc in Mathematics from University Duisburg Essen Mathematical-technical system engineer training at RWTH Aachen Her research integrates provable security and quantum information theory , with key contributions to cryptographic protocols like Authenticated Key Exchange , Re-encryption , and PAKE . Publications span post-quantum cryptography , security proofs , and quantum-resistant algorithms , reflecting collaborations with experts like Eike Kiltz and Andreas Hülsing. Recent work includes analyses of Quantum Key Distribution and public-key cryptosystems under quantum threats. Her research outputs emphasize password-based authentication , decryption security , and instantiation techniques . Scientific Awards : NWO Veni Grant (2023) Irène Curie Fellowship She serves on academic committees and contributes to cryptography education, teaching Linear Algebra 2 at TU/e. Her work bridges theoretical cryptography with real-world applications, addressing challenges in e-government, secure communications, and military/industrial data protection.
Edgar Weippl is a Professor at the Department of Information and Software Engineering, Faculty of Informatics, TU Wien. His primary research focuses on cybersecurity, blockchain technology, and privacy-preserving systems. He leads the Network Lab, investigating topics such as cryptocurrency security, usable privacy mechanisms, and decentralized systems' incentives. Key contributions include analyzing blockchain fork economics, cryptocurrency wallet usability, and incentive manipulation attacks on Proof-of-Work systems. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in AI governance, digital twins, and industrial automation security. Affiliations: TU Wien (2019–present), Network Lab Lead Education: Dr.techn. (PhD in Technical Sciences), Mag.rer.soc.oec. (Master of Social and Economic Sciences) Research interests span cryptographic protocols, decentralized systems, and user-centric security. He has advised over 20 graduate students on topics like fuzzing embedded protocols, blockchain topology analysis, and privacy-preserving anomaly detection. His recent work emphasizes sustainable development goals (SDGs) through secure AI integration and ethical AI governance frameworks.
Şerife Yılmaz is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Karadeniz Technical University. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Mathematics from Karadeniz Technical University (2011), a Master’s degree from Erciyes University (2004), and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Erciyes University (2002). Her research focuses on lattice theory, fuzzy mathematics, algebraic structures, and cryptography. She has contributed to triangular norms on lattices, fuzzy hyperstructures, and cryptographic methods. Her work spans over 27 publications, including articles in Information Sciences , Hacettepe Journal of Mathematics and Statistics , and Axioms . Educations: PhD in Mathematics, Karadeniz Technical University (2011) MSc in Mathematics, Erciyes University (2004) BSc in Mathematics, Erciyes University (2002) Research Interests: Triangular norms on bounded lattices Fuzzy hypermodules and subhyperstructures Cryptography using elliptic curves and matrices Algebraic hyperstructures and lattice theory Recent Contributions: Developed hybrid encryption methods combining RSA and elliptic curve-based matrices (2025) Explored lattice structures in multi-fuzzy soft sets (2025) Advanced filter theory in IL-algebras (2025) Awards & Grants: No awards explicitly mentioned. Active in academic service, including jury memberships in postgraduate evaluations (Giresun University, 2019) and university-level competitions in folk dances (2014–2016).
Dr. Pan Zhang is a Researcher at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, specializing in materials modeling and micro-mechanics. His work focuses on crystal plasticity modeling, particularly the generation of microstructures for polycrystalline materials to support finite element analysis. He holds a BSc and MSc in Control Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Research interests include Voronoi tessellation applications, optimization using evolutionary algorithms, and material behavior under extreme conditions. His contributions span computational geometry, composite materials, and supply chain environmental impact analysis. Publications highlight advancements in grain structure simulation, cryptographic integration in embedded systems, and cloud-based privacy-preserving techniques. Collaborations include projects with Professors Liliang Wang and Daniel Balint, though he is not directly listed as a supervisor for the mentioned PhD studentships. No scientific awards are explicitly stated, but his work demonstrates expertise in interdisciplinary engineering and computational methods.
Vladimir Oleshchuk is a Professor at the Department of Information and Communication Technology, University of Agder. His research focuses on Blockchain technology Attribute-based access control E-health security Trust management in networks Privacy-preserving protocols Wireless sensor network security His recent publications emphasize integrating blockchain with large language models (LLMs) for Web3 security, lightweight access control for IoT, and decentralized authentication frameworks. Key contributions include Delegatable attribute-based encryption schemes Privacy-preserving mechanisms for collaborative environments Trust-aware RBAC models He collaborates with researchers like Harsha Gardiyawasam Pussewalage and Ole-Christoffer Granmo, working within the Centre for Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM) research group. Current projects address security challenges in mobile and distributed systems, including unattended wireless sensor networks and 5G infrastructure.
Françoise Levy-dit-Vehel is a Lecturer-Researcher at ENSTA Paris, part of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, affiliated with the Computer Science and Systems Engineering Unit. She is also an Associate Researcher in the GRACE team at INRIA Saclay and a member of the LIX computer science laboratory at École Polytechnique. She obtained her Habilitation (HDR) from Paris 6 University in 2010. Her research spans: Cryptography & Security : Focus on cloud data protection, interactive cryptographic protocols, and algebraic foundations of encryption. Public-Key Systems : Analysis of MinRank, rank-metric decoding, and word-based cryptosystems. Efficient Storage Solutions : Designs for proofs of retrievability and private information retrieval using coding theory. She teaches courses in cryptography, discrete mathematics, and algorithms at ENSTA Paris and contributes to curriculum development for IP-Paris's cybersecurity master's program. She holds multiple patents in cryptographic systems and has authored research reports for INRIA.
Ke Yi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where he also serves as Director of the MSc Program in Big Data Technology. His research spans database theory and systems, query processing, data security and privacy, parallel and distributed algorithms, and computational geometry, with a focus on bridging theoretical guarantees with practical implementations. Dr. Yi earned his B.Eng. in Computer Science and Technology from Tsinghua University (1997-2001) and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Duke University (2001-2006), advised by Professors Pankaj K. Agarwal and Lars Arge. Before joining HKUST in 2007, he was a Research Specialist at AT&T Labs-Research (2006-2007). His research interests center on database theory and systems with particular emphasis on query processing techniques, data security and privacy mechanisms, and efficient algorithms for big data. Yi's work consistently demonstrates the rich interdependence between theoretical foundations and practical implementations, favoring simple algorithms with elegant analyses that provide valuable insights for real-world applications. His research group has developed several notable system prototypes including Quorion (query optimization), DPSQL (differentially private SQL), SparkSQL+ (next-generation query planning), SecYan (secure query processing), CROWN/Cquirrel (continuous query processing), and XDB (online aggregation). Yi's publication record shows a clear evolution toward privacy-preserving database technologies, particularly differential privacy, with an increasing focus on practical implementations that maintain theoretical guarantees. His recent work has centered on query processing under differential privacy, secure multi-party computation for databases, and efficient algorithms for big data analytics, demonstrating consistent contributions to both theoretical foundations and practical systems. ACM SIGMOD Best Paper Award (2016, 2022) ACM PODS Test-of-Time Award (2022) ACM Distinguished Member (2021) Multiple ACM SIGMOD Best Paper Honorable Mentions Google Faculty Research Award (2010) HKUST School of Engineering Young Investigator Research Award (2012) Professor Yi has supervised numerous Ph.D. and MPhil students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic and industry positions at institutions including Nanyang Technological University, University of Waterloo, EPFL, Alibaba Cloud, and Google. His research has been generously supported by Hong Kong RGC, Alibaba, Huawei, ByteDance, Microsoft, and Google. In addition to his research leadership, Yi has made significant contributions to the academic community through editorial roles (ACM TODS, IEEE TKDE), program committee chairs (PODS 2026, ICDT 2021), and numerous service roles in top database conferences. His laboratory, the HKUST Database Lab (hkustDB), has become a leading center for database research in Asia, developing innovative prototypes that bridge theoretical database research with practical implementations. The lab maintains active GitHub repositories for their open-source projects and collaborates extensively with both academic and industry partners worldwide.
Michele Bugliesi is a Full Professor of Computer Science at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where he is affiliated with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics. His research spans theoretical computer science with a strong emphasis on practical security applications in web technologies and distributed systems. Professor Bugliesi's primary research interests focus on computer security, particularly web security, formal methods for security analysis, programming languages, and blockchain technologies. His work combines theoretical foundations with practical implementations, addressing critical security challenges in modern computing environments. He has made significant contributions to understanding and preventing session hijacking attacks, developing content security policies, and analyzing smart contract security. Analysis of Professor Bugliesi's recent publications (2016-2025) reveals a clear evolution in his research focus. Initially centered on web security and formal verification methods, his work has expanded to include blockchain technologies, smart contracts, and more recently, the security implications of large language models. His publications consistently appear in top-tier computer security conferences and journals, demonstrating the high quality and impact of his research. Professor Bugliesi maintains an active research group and collaborates extensively with colleagues including Stefano Calzavara, Alvise Rabitti, and Sabina Rossi. His research has practical implications for improving the security of web applications, blockchain systems, and emerging AI technologies.
