Wright State students to present research at international cybersecurity conference

Wright State University students will showcase their cybersecurity research on a global stage when they join leading experts from academia, government and industry at the inaugural IEEE International Conference on Secure and Trustworthy Cyberinfrastructure for IoT and Microelectronics.

Co-hosted by Wright State and Central Michigan University, the prestigious conference will take place Feb. 25–27 at the Fairborn Holiday Inn, offering students a unique platform to present their work alongside top professionals in the field.

Bringing together representatives from elite universities, major industry leaders and key government agencies — including the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Air Force, Army, Air Force Research Laboratory, National Science Foundation, Intel, ANSYS and MMEC — the event aims to foster collaboration on critical topics such as cybersecurity, hardware security and embedded systems.

With more than 200 research papers submitted, the conference will feature 40 speakers, four panel discussions and 10 special topic sessions.

“We hope the conference will create a platform for researchers, industry professionals and policymakers to exchange ideas and discuss innovative solutions to challenges in this field,” said conference chair Fathi Amsaad, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science at Wright State. “The conference will feature presentations and discussion from top experts, and we aim to establish a lasting tradition of excellence in both research and practice.”

Wright State Ph.D. students Sufian Al Majmaie and Mithun Kumar PK, as well as Ashutosh Ghimire, a research associate in Wright State’s Semiconductor Microelectronics Security, Assurance, Resilience and Trust (SMART) Cybersecurity Research Lab, are among those from Wright State participating in the conference.

Amsaad said they are an integral part of the event, and their involvement offers invaluable exposure to cutting-edge research and industry practices.

A native of Baghdad, Iraq, Al Maimaie was drawn to Wright State because of its strong research environment and the opportunity to work in the SMART Lab, where he focuses on hardware security and advanced cryptographic systems. He will present three papers at the conference.

“Being selected to present three research papers is a significant achievement and an opportunity to share my work with fellow researchers, faculty and industry professionals,” he said. “The conference is an excellent platform to receive feedback, engage in discussions and learn from experts in the field.”

Mithun Kumar PK, a computer science and engineering Ph.D. student at Wright State, is a volunteer and will present two research papers at the IEEE International Conference on Secure and Trustworthy Cyberinfrastructure for IoT and Microelectronics.

Kumar PK will contribute as a technical reviewer and conference volunteer while presenting two first-authored research papers. His work spans cybersecurity, space awareness, health care and IoT infrastructure.

“Participation means having a valuable opportunity to share my insights with leading experts and being part of a global community working towards more secure cyber infrastructure,” he said. “And it represents recognition from peers in my field and a chance to contribute to important discussions about the future of IoT security, the health care system and space situational awareness.”

Kumar PK said he enrolled at Wright State specifically for its expertise in hardware security and computer vision within cybersecurity. What makes his Wright State experience unique, he added, is the opportunity to collaborate with U.S. Air Force researchers, providing a perfect blend of academic rigor and real-world applications.

“The learning environment has exceeded my expectations, featuring distinguished faculty members who are leaders in their fields,” he said. “The mentorship I’ve received has been exceptional, providing clear guidance for both academic excellence and professional development.”

Amsaad said Wright State’s growing reputation for research excellence will open doors for future collaborations and opportunities to host similar conferences.

“Hosting this conference is a significant milestone for Wright State, as it highlights the university’s role in advancing research in secure microelectronics and cybersecurity,” said Amsaad. “It allows the university to showcase its leadership in these critical areas and demonstrates its ability to foster high-level academic and industry collaborations.”