Christof Paar is a Professor of Embedded Security at Ruhr University Bochum's Faculty of Computer Science. His work focuses on hardware security, cryptography, and embedded systems security. He leads the Embedded Security Group within the CASE Cluster of Excellence (Cyber Security in the Age of Large-Scale Attacks), addressing cutting-edge challenges in hardware Trojans, side-channel attacks, and cryptographic engineering. His research spans FPGA and IoT security, with contributions to physical-layer security, wireless jamming defenses, and tamper-resistant systems. Research Interests: Paar's expertise lies in hardware-software co-design for security, with a focus on embedded systems. His work includes analyzing vulnerabilities in FPGAs, developing countermeasures against side-channel attacks, and exploring physical-layer security mechanisms. He also investigates the human factors in hardware reverse engineering and the implications of adversarial machine learning on security systems. Notable Work: Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in detecting hardware Trojans across CMOS generations, breaking industry-standard IP protection mechanisms (IEEE 1735), and proposing novel defenses like IRShield against adversarial wireless sensing. His group actively contributes to standards for secure embedded systems and IoT devices, emphasizing practical implementations.
Jishen Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (Jacobs School of Engineering). His research focuses on computer architecture, non-volatile memory systems, and deep learning acceleration. Dr. Zhao has published extensively in top venues including ISCA, MICRO, ASPLOS, and IEEE Transactions. He collaborates with researchers at UCSD and beyond to advance systems for emerging applications in AI and autonomous vehicles. Dr. Zhao's primary research areas include persistent memory systems, hardware/software co-design for deep learning, and safety-critical computing. He develops techniques for crash consistency, memory disaggregation, and efficient neural network deployment. His work on autonomous vehicles addresses scenario generation and perception-aware system design. Recent projects explore LLM applications for software engineering and hardware verification. Analysis of Dr. Zhao's 2024-2025 publications reveals a strong shift toward AI-integrated systems research. He applies large language models to tasks like RTL verification and software issue localization while continuing to innovate in memory systems for serverless computing. There is growing emphasis on safety-critical systems for autonomous vehicles and energy-efficient neural network training using novel hardware architectures. Information about Dr. Zhao's scientific awards, advising activities, grants, and laboratory facilities was not available in the provided documentation.
Professor Dinusha Mendis is a leading academic in Intellectual Property and Innovation Law at Bournemouth University, where she serves as Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM). Her expertise bridges copyright law with emerging technologies like 3D printing, AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse, informed by extensive research and consultation with entities such as the European Parliament, UKIPO, and corporations like HP and Chanel. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh University and has authored seminal works on the intersection of technology and IP. BSc in Law from Aberdeen University LLM and PhD from Edinburgh University Called to the Bar of England and Wales Her research focuses on copyright challenges in immersive environments , AI-generated content regulation , and blockchain/NFTs . She led major studies for the European Commission and UKIPO , including the first peer-reviewed work on 3D printing and IP. Her 2019 co-edited book with Stanford and QUT scholars established foundational frameworks for additive manufacturing legal analysis. Recent publications highlight AI copyright disputes (2024 The Conversation ), NFT legal ambiguities (2022), and pandemic-era 3D printing (2020). Trends show increasing emphasis on decentralized IP systems and machine learning's impact on creative industries . Scientific Awards & Grants JSPS Visiting Professorship (2023) Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grant (2024) EU Commission Research Funding (2020) AHRC Grant for 3D Jewellery Study (2017) As a PhD supervisor, she mentors researchers on AI copyright (Benjamin White), crypto-art (Bahar Dagli), and music creation law (Elizabeth Bailey). She contributes to global IP policy through the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Governance Team and EU IPR Enforcement Projects .
Timo Minssen is Professor of Law at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the Founding Director of UCPH's Center for Advanced Studies in Bioscience Innovation Law (CeBIL). He also holds affiliations as an LML Research Affiliate at the University of Cambridge and an Inter-CeBIL Research Affiliate at Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Centre. With extensive expertise in Intellectual Property, Competition, and Regulatory Law, Minssen focuses on the legal aspects of emerging health and life science technologies, including genome editing, big data, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. His educational background includes a German law degree (Staatsexamen) from Georg-August-University in Göttingen, and Swedish biotech & IPR related LL.M., LL.Lic., and LL.D. degrees from Lund University and Uppsala University. His PhD thesis on the patentability of biopharmaceutical technology in the US & Europe received the prestigious Swedish King Oscar award. 2024: TUM Global Visiting Professor, Technical University of Munich (Germany) 2016: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Cambridge (UK) 2014: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Oxford (UK) 2013-14: Visiting Scholar, Harvard Law School (US) 2012: LL.D. - Doctor of Laws (Swedish "juris doktor"), EU/US patent law, Lund University, Sweden Minssen's research spans AI & Big Data in Health & Life Sciences, Sustainable and responsible innovation & tech transfer, Pharmaceutical-, Life Science- & Biotech Law, Comparative European & US Patent Law, Intellectual Property Law & Open Innovation, and EU Competition- & US Antitrust Law. His work addresses legal issues throughout the lifecycle of health and life science products and processes, from R&D regulation to technology transfer and commercialization. His extensive publication record includes 7 books and over 200 articles and book chapters published in leading journals such as Science, Nature Biotechnology, JAMA, and Harvard Business Review. His research has been featured in The Economist, Financial Times, and other major media outlets. Minssen's recent work shows a strong focus on AI regulation, quantum technology law, and data governance in health contexts, reflecting the evolving landscape of technology and law. Scientific Awards and Recognition King Oscar award for best Jur. Dr. thesis (2014) Jorcks Fonds Forsknings Pris (Jorck's Foundation Research Prize) (2017) Awapatent Research Prize (2009) Max Planck Research Scholarship (2005) Visiting Scholar appointments at Harvard Law School, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge Recipient of a Novo Nordisk Foundation Grant for a "Collaborative Research Program in Biomedical Innovation Law" (2018) As an advisor, Minssen serves international organizations including the WHO, WIPO, and EU Commission. He has supervised numerous PhD students in areas including pharmaceutical law, biotechnology patents, and antimicrobial resistance. His current research projects include the Novo Nordisk Foundation's International Collaborative Bioscience Innovation & Law (Inter-CeBIL) Programme (50 million DKK), CLASSICA: EU Horizon Project on AI-assisted surgery, and AI@Care: Law and Ethics and Algorithmic Bias in Healthcare. Minssen leads the Center for Advanced Studies in Bioscience Innovation Law (CeBIL), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on the intersection of law, technology, and innovation in the health and life sciences. The center collaborates with institutions worldwide to address pressing legal challenges in emerging technologies.
Yiorgos Makris is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, since July 2011. Previously, he was a faculty member at Yale University for over a decade. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and a Diploma in Computer Engineering from the University of Patras, Greece. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego (2001) M.S. in Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego (1997) Diploma in Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras, Greece (1995) Research Interests: Hardware Security and Trustworthiness Statistical Side-Channel Fingerprinting Machine Learning in Semiconductor Manufacturing Trusted and Reliable Integrated Circuits Hardware Trojans in Wireless Cryptographic ICs On-Die Learning and Emergent Technologies His work focuses on enhancing hardware security through statistical methods, machine learning, and formal verification, with applications in analog/RF ICs, post-production calibration, and secure IC design. Key Contributions: Co-Founder and Site-PI of NSF CHEST I/UCRC (Hardware and Embedded System Security and Trust) Leader of the Safety, Security, and Healthcare Thrust at TxACE (Texas Analog Center of Excellence) Director of the Trusted and RELiable Architectures (TRELA) Lab Grants and Funding: NSF, NIH, SRC, ARO, AFRL, AFWERX, DARPA, DOE, and industry partnerships with Boeing, Northrop Grumman, IBM, Intel, Qualcomm, etc. Recent grants include projects on DNA storage security, analog neural networks, and malicious hardware detection. Awards and Recognition: IEEE Fellow (2025) Best Paper Awards at DATE'13, VTS'15, DCAS'22 Best Hardware Demonstration Awards at HOST'16 and HOST'18 Erik Jonsson School Faculty Research Award (2020) Labs and Teams: TRELA Lab (Focus: Secure Hardware Design, Trusted Architectures) CHEST I/UCRC (Industry-University Collaboration)
Jeyavijayan 'JV' Rajendran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Engineering. He is an ASCEND Fellow and leads the Secure and Trustworthy Hardware (SETH) Lab. His research focuses on hardware security, computer security, and novel applications of AI in secure hardware design. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering (NYU 2015), MS in Computer Engineering (NYU Tandon 2010), BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering (Anna University 2008). Research Interests: Hardware Security, Computer Security, Logic Locking, Hardware IP Protection, and Reinforcement Learning for Security. He explores AI-driven approaches to detect vulnerabilities, protect intellectual property, and enhance secure hardware design through fuzzing, obfuscation, and formal verification. Notable Awards: 2022 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, 2021 IEEE CEDA Ernest Kuh Early Career Award, 2017 NSF CAREER Award. Lab and Teams: The SETH Lab focuses on trustworthy hardware design, developing techniques to secure integrated circuits against reverse engineering and IP theft. Current projects include LLM-based hardware code generation, formal approaches for hardware fuzzing, and AI-driven vulnerability detection.
Farinaz Koushanfar is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California San Diego (UCSD) . She holds the Siavouche Nemat-Nasser Endowed Chair and serves as Founding Co-Director of the Center for Machine-Intelligence, Computing and Security . Her affiliations include NSF Trust-Hub (Co-PI) and NSF TILOS AI Institute . She also serves on the Editorial Board of The Proceedings of the IEEE . Research Focus: Prof. Koushanfar leads research in secure and efficient computing , including robust/safe AI , hardware/system security , AI-based optimization , and cryptographically secure privacy-preserving computing . Her work pioneered logic obfuscation/locking for chip security, automated co-design of AI systems , watermarking/tracing of deep learning models , and physical proofs of provenance . She explores co-design with cryptographic constructs for privacy preservation and manages nonlinearities in ciphertext domains. Article Trends: Recent publications show expertise in neural watermarking (deepfakes, media authentication), zero-knowledge proof frameworks , Trojan attack defenses in ML models, secure federated learning , and hardware acceleration of cryptographic protocols . Her work combines machine learning , cryptography , and physical design security across 2022-2025 publications. Scientific Awards: Fellow of ACM Fellow of IEEE Fellow of National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow of Kavli Foundation of NAS Inducted to NAI 2024 Fellows Advising & Leadership: She has advised multiple PhD students who became faculty at top universities (e.g., Stanford, Purdue). She chairs conferences like ACM WiSec 2024 and co-led the NSF SaTC decadal review. Her lab ( ACES Lab ) produces award-winning graduates like Bita Rouhani (DAC Under-40 Innovators) and Shehzeen Hussain (UCSD Best Dissertation Award).
Fabian Ferrari is an Assistant Professor in Cultural AI at Utrecht University, working in the Department of Media and Culture Studies within the Humanities faculty. He is affiliated with the Centre for Digital Humanities and is a member of the focus area Governing the Digital Society . Previously, he served as a Postdoctoral Researcher (2022-2024) in the same focus area and was a Visiting Scholar (2021-2022) at the Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology in Montréal. Dr. Ferrari's research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and society. His work examines AI governance, algorithmic power, digital labor, and the infrastructural geographies of AI systems. He investigates how public investments in AI infrastructure can reconcile competitiveness with public value creation, particularly through his upcoming NWO-funded Veni project Conditional Computing: Reimagining the Governance of Public AI Infrastructure , which begins in January 2026. His publication record demonstrates significant scholarly impact, with articles in top journals including Nature Machine Intelligence , Cultural Studies , New Media & Society , Big Data & Society , and Competition & Change . He has also co-edited the open-access book Digital Work in the Planetary Market published by MIT Press. Ferrari's work is frequently cited and has influenced policy discussions, as evidenced by multiple policy citations across his publications. NWO Veni grant for research on public AI infrastructure Dr. Ferrari's research collaborations span multiple institutions and international teams. He has frequently co-authored with scholars including Mark Graham, José van Dijck, and Anne Helmond. His work bridges technical, social, and policy dimensions of AI systems, with particular attention to labor implications and governance frameworks. He is actively engaged in both academic and public discourse on AI's societal implications, contributing to progressive policy visions for generative AI.
Uwe Meyer-Baese is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (Dr.-Ing. habil) from Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany. His research focuses on Digital Signal Processing with FPGAs, VLSI design, and medical imaging applications. He has authored over 100 publications, 5 books, and holds 3 patents. He has been recognized with awards such as the Humboldt Fellowship (2009) and the FAMU-FSU Teaching Award (2007). Education History: Dr.-Ing. habil (Venia Legendi), Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 2003 Ph.D. (Dr. Ing.), Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 1995 M.S., Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 1989 Research Interests: FPGA-based embedded systems and real-time DSP Low-power VLSI architectures Medical image processing (e.g., breast MRI, brain tumor analysis) Hardware security and intellectual property protection Graph theory applications in biological networks Recent work includes advancements in FPGA implementations for microprocessor systems, brain network controllability studies, and AI-driven medical diagnostics. His lab focuses on bridging hardware design with biomedical applications, emphasizing practical implementations through FPGA platforms. Awards: Max-Kade Award in Neuroengineering (1997) ECE Department Research Award (2005) Humboldt Fellowship (2009) FAMU-FSU Teaching Award (2007) He has advised over 60 master’s theses and contributed to major grants in FPGA-based medical systems. His book Digital Signal Processing with Field Programmable Gate Arrays is a widely used textbook in the field.
Zachary Collier is a Visiting Professor at Radford University, where he teaches Operations Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, a Master of Engineering Management from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University. His research focuses on Risk Management , Supply Chain Security , and Hardware Security , leveraging interdisciplinary tools from operations research, economics, and systems engineering. Former engineer in accident reconstruction and the US Army Corps of Engineers Fellow of the Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems at University of Virginia Visiting Scholar at the Center for Hardware and Embedded Systems Security and Trust (CHEST) Recent research explores semiconductor supply chains , zero trust principles , and resilience modeling for hardware systems. He has authored influential publications on topics such as comorbidity data analysis for pandemic response and blockchain risk assessment . Scientific awards include recognition as a Fellow at the University of Virginia and contributions to SAE International standards . Co-authored industry standards for SAE International Publications in NewsWeek, The Hill, and SupplyChainBrain Expertise in decision modeling for emerging risks
Sam Pagliarini is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he leads research in hardware security and trustworthy integrated circuit design. Prior to joining CMU in 2024, he directed the Centre for Hardware Security at Tallinn University of Technology (2019–2023). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Télécom Paris (France, 2013), an M.S. in Microelectronics from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil, 2011), and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the same institution (2008). His research focuses on securing hardware design pipelines, including EDA tools for secure chips, countermeasures against hardware trojans, and obfuscation techniques to protect intellectual property. He has pioneered work on reconfigurable-based obfuscation (ReBO), layout-effect-based security mechanisms, and post-quantum cryptographic accelerators. Recent efforts include collaborations on post-quantum cryptography vulnerabilities and silicon demonstrations of hardware trojan insertion methods. Prof. Pagliarini's work spans academia and industry, with contributions to both theoretical frameworks (e.g., SCARF framework for chip security) and applied solutions like the G-GPU ASIC accelerator generator. His research has addressed emerging threats in the IC supply chain and explored trade-offs between security, performance, and design complexity in post-silicon manufacturing.
Yazhou Tu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University. He specializes in Cyber-Physical System Security, Side Channel Analysis, and Privacy in embedded systems. His work focuses on addressing vulnerabilities in sensors, actuators, and IoT devices to enhance security and privacy in critical systems. Education: Ph.D. Computer Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette M.S. Software Engineering, Tsinghua University B.S. Software Engineering, Wuhan University Research Interests: Dr. Tu’s research explores cutting-edge topics such as adversarial control of embedded systems, acoustic and magnetic side-channel attacks, and privacy risks in robotic and biomedical systems. He develops novel defense mechanisms like ADC-Bank and Transduction Shield to counteract physical signal injection attacks. Key Contributions: His work spans sensor security, IoT exploitation, and healthcare technology, with notable studies on 3D printer IP theft, vehicle control via smart glasses, and keystroke tracking via audio. He also investigates physics-informed ML for porous media and glucose monitoring systems. Awards & Grants: No specific awards or grants listed in the provided data, but his prolific publication record highlights sustained research excellence. Labs & Collaborations: Engaged in Auburn’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Engineering and other interdisciplinary initiatives focused on secure embedded systems and cyber-physical infrastructure.
Marcus Norrgård is a Professor of Law at the University of Helsinki , leading the Vaasa Unit of Legal Studies within the Faculty of Law. His expertise spans intellectual property law , copyright , design law , and the ethical implications of AI and 3D printing on legal frameworks. He actively contributes to Nordic legal research and EU copyright harmonization , with recent projects focusing on AI-generated content and virtue ethics in private law . His 15 most recent articles analyze topics such as Nordic copyright legislation , AI training data protection , and design law harmonization , reflecting his work with foundations like Harry Schaumans Stiftelse and Vaasan Aktiasäätiö . Norrgård serves on doctoral committees and as an opponent in thesis defenses , while advising Finnish parliamentary committees on copyright and telecommunications reforms . He has held leadership roles including Chairman of the Finnish Copyright Council (2008–2020) and Director of the IPR University Center (2018–2021).
Patanjali Sristi is an Assistant Professor at Augusta University's School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, specifically within the Department of Cybersecurity Engineering. Located at 100 Grace Hopper Lane in Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Sristi joined the university in January 2025 after previously working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Florida with Dr. Swarup Bhunia. Their academic journey began with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Pondicherry University in 2011, followed by both MS and Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras). Dr. Sristi's educational background demonstrates a strong foundation in electrical engineering and computer science, with advanced specialization in hardware security. Their Ph.D. research at IIT Madras was supervised by Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, focusing on critical aspects of hardware security that would form the basis of their future research career. Dr. Sristi's research program centers on addressing one fundamental question: "How can we design, measure and build efficient and affordable security assurances for a given hardware design in the context of an untrusted supply chain while respecting the design constraints at each level of abstraction?" This research vision spans three interconnected domains: AI for System Design: Developing data models and AI techniques for next-generation hardware systems AI for Hardware Security: Creating AI models for vulnerability detection, countermeasure evaluation, and mitigation of supply chain threats Cybersecurity for AI: Establishing metrics and algorithms for secure development, deployment, and operation of AI systems Dr. Sristi's scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on hardware security challenges within the modern distributed electronics supply chain. Their work demonstrates a progression from foundational research on hardware trojans and side-channel attacks toward comprehensive frameworks addressing the emerging "zero trust" paradigm in hardware security. A notable trend is the integration of AI/ML techniques with traditional hardware security approaches, reflecting the evolving nature of security threats and countermeasures. Their publications span prestigious venues including IEEE Transactions on VLSI Systems, IEEE Transactions on Computers, and various IEEE conferences, indicating strong recognition within the hardware security community. While specific awards aren't detailed in the available information, Dr. Sristi's research impact is evident through multiple US patents (including US Patent 11,899,827 and US Patent App. 17/392,376) and invitations to deliver talks at prominent organizations including Sony Finishing School, Northrop Grumman, and IEEE events. Their work on Netflix Privacy Analysis was featured in Wired, demonstrating real-world relevance and impact. Dr. Sristi actively engages with students through courses including CSCI 8940 (Dissertation Research), CSCI 8720 (Problems in Computer & Cyber), and CSCI 7900 (Research Colloquium). Their research program appears well-supported through collaborations with major institutions and industry partners, as evidenced by workshops conducted for the Indian Army in conjunction with Pravartak and IIT Madras. These partnerships suggest substantial research funding and collaborative opportunities that enhance the educational experience for students. Though specific lab information isn't provided in the available text, Dr. Sristi's research scope suggests involvement with hardware security laboratories equipped for VLSI design, testing, and security evaluation. Their work on IoT security, hardware trojans, and supply chain security would require facilities for physical device testing, side-channel analysis, and hardware emulation. The focus on "zero trust" implementation for hardware security indicates a research environment that bridges theoretical security models with practical implementation challenges.
Jennifer Wong-Ma is an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), affiliated with the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and the Computer Science Department. She joined UCI in 2018, previously serving as teaching faculty at Stony Brook University. Her roles include Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies and advisor for organizations like Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS). She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCLA, with prior research focused on wireless systems and hardware IP protection. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles, 2006 Research & Teaching Interests: Development of learning and teaching tools for CS education Alternative assessment strategies and pedagogical innovation CS education equity and retention initiatives Integration of theater techniques in classroom engagement Key Contributions: Co-founded the Coffee Meets Teaching program to foster faculty collaboration Member of UCI’s inaugural Faculty Academy for Teaching Excellence (FATE) Advocate for women in technology through WIT@UCI and WICS mentorship Awards: CS Department Award for Undergraduate Education (2012) CS Department Award for Major Contributions to Undergraduate Education (2016) Honored at 2023 ICS Awards Celebration Her work emphasizes community-building in education, bridging academia and industry, and leveraging technology to enhance student success. Current projects include optimizing grading infrastructure and predictive modeling for academic retention.
