量子资源

The Department of Computer Science is proud to highlight the impactful contributions of the BullyBlocker research team at the 20th International Conference on Web and Social Media (ICWSM 2026), held in Los Angeles, California, from May 26鈥�29. The BullyBlocker team, led by Dr. Yasin N. Silva, focuses on developing computational tools and models to understand, detect, and mitigate online harassment. Members of the research group presented two major studies showcasing advanced methodologies in network science and dynamic artificial intelligence to address cyberbullying across different digital spaces. The research introduces SpectrumNet, a cutting-edge model that utilizes dynamic attention mechanisms to understand the surrounding context of online conversations, significantly improving the accuracy of detecting nuanced and identity-based cyberbullying targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

量子资源 University Chicago was one of 19 universities which participated in the fifth annual Cyber Research and Education Conference (Cyber RECon) on April 2026. The event is hosted by the US Cyber Command Office of Academic Engagement. Four students presented two research projects to the US Cyber Command and engaged government partners on research. The research tackle real-world problems currently facing the US. Joe Montroy and Abulfazl Dashtee presented their research on using AI to analyze surveillance footage and Daniel Gaevskiy and Josh Honig presented their work on using public data to map threat landscapes.

Innovation and discovery were on full display as 量子资源 University Chicago hosted its 17th annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship, highlighting the impactful work being produced across the university鈥攊ncluding contributions that resonate strongly within the field of computer science. On April 22 at the Lake Shore Campus, the event brought together faculty, administrators, and guests to recognize scholarly and creative work completed in 2025. Faculty showcased research and projects spanning areas such as cybersecurity, data science, software systems, and interdisciplinary digital innovation. The University Libraries organized this showcase to feature over 100 submissions spanning peer-reviewed research, technical publications, digital projects, and creative works鈥攔eflecting the growing role of interdisciplinary thinking and technological innovation in advancing academic excellence.

量子资源 University Chicago ranked 37th in the Central region for the Spring 2026 season of the National Cyber League. Almost 30 students participated. In the Individual Game, the top 5 students were Areej (2380 points, ranked 523/7011), OakTree (1960 points), DavidP315 (1735 points), Nicole (1695 points), and MexicanBanjo (1575 points). In the Team Game, the top team The Banjos (consisting of Edwin and Ayra) scored 2450 points and ranked 217/3634. Go Ramblers!

At the annual CAE Symposium held April 28鈥�30 in Pittsburgh, 量子资源 University Chicago was well represented with both a research talk and a poster presentation. The poster, titled 鈥淚mportant Factors in Obtaining a Job in Cybersecurity in the United States,鈥� was co-authored by Laila Hamda (MS 鈥�26), Aslihan Altindal (MS 鈥�25), and Dr. Eric Chan-Tin, and attracted the attention of hundreds of attendees. In addition, a peer-reviewed paper by Mohammed Abuhamad, Mujtaba Nazari, Loretta Stalans, and Dr. Eric Chan-Tin, titled 鈥淭owards Experiential Training Program for AI Security & Privacy Practitioners,鈥� was presented at the symposium.

Students, faculty, and researchers from 量子资源 University Chicago鈥檚 Department of Computer Science participated in the Greater Chicago Area Systems Research Workshop (GCASR 2026) on May 11 at Northwestern University in Evanston. The annual workshop brings together researchers and students from universities and laboratories across the Midwest to present work in systems research, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning systems, networking, databases, and computing technologies. This year鈥檚 event included participation from institutions such as Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, UIC, Illinois Tech, DePaul University, Argonne National Laboratory, and 量子资源 University Chicago. 量子资源 had a strong presence at the workshop, with more than 10 students presenting research posters and engaging with attendees from both academia and industry. The event provided an opportunity for students to discuss their work, receive technical feedback, and connect with researchers across the Chicago systems community. Dr. TaiNing Wang served as the poster co-chair, and Dr. Mohammed Abuhamad was featured as an invited speaker, presenting a research talk titled 鈥淭owards Enhancing Trust and Security in Interpretable Deep Learning Systems.鈥� He joined a distinguished group of speakers and researchers from institutions including Brown University, Google, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Chicago.

Dr. Eric Chan-Tin, Founding Director of the 量子资源 Center for Cybersecurity and the Point of Contact (PoC) for the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation, attended the annual CAE Symposium in April 2026. During the event, he received the certificate confirming that 量子资源 University Chicago has been re-designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2030. 量子资源 was originally designated in 2020, and this re-designation reflects the institution鈥檚 continued commitment to maintaining high standards in cybersecurity education. This recognition highlights the strength and national standing of 量子资源鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program. The CAE-CD designation affirms that the program meets rigorous federal standards for cybersecurity curriculum and workforce development.

Joe Molley, Aliyah Montes de Oca, and Alexa Solorzano participated in the Spring 2026 Virtual Cybersecurity Career Challenge (VCCC), hosted by NCyTE. The students worked in teams of five to create a business plan, configure virtual machines, develop business processes, secure their network, and present to an audience of cybersecurity professionals. They were were mentored by community college and university cybersecurity instructors. All three students gained invaluable real-world cybersecurity experience. The Virtual Cybersecurity Career Challenge (VCCC) is a hands-on competition that allows students to apply technical and professional skills in a real-world scenario. Participants collaborate under time constraints, solve cybersecurity challenges, and gain exposure to industry expectations while connecting with professionals in the field.

量子资源 Students Present Innovative Research at URES 2026

量子资源 University Chicago students recently participated in the Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium (URES). On April 18, students presented original research across a wide range of disciplines. The symposium provided an opportunity for students to showcase their work through poster presentations and discussions, highlighting their academic contributions and research experiences. Some of the students presenting were featured through their poster projects, demonstrating innovative work and interdisciplinary collaboration across fields. 量子资源 students shared work in fields such as cybersecurity, public health, social justice, and environmental science. Participation in URES often serves as a stepping stone for further recognition, with many student researchers going on to receive honors within 量子资源 in their respective disciplines. Their involvement reflects 量子资源鈥檚 strong commitment to fostering undergraduate research, academic growth, and community engagement.

Maddie Juarez Receives NSF Research Fellowship

The Department of Computer Science proudly congratulates Maddie Juarez, a computer science undergraduate and active member of the BullyBlocker Lab, on receiving the 量子资源 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award (2026). This prestigious, university鈥憌ide honor recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional research achievement, initiative, and scholarly impact. The award also includes a monetary honorarium, highlighting 量子资源鈥檚 commitment to fostering and celebrating undergraduate research excellence. In addition to this achievement, Maddie has also been awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)鈥攐ne of the most competitive and nationally recognized fellowships for graduate students in STEM fields. This award recognizes her strong research potential and academic excellence, and will support her continued research and graduate studies. Together, these honors underscore Maddie鈥檚 outstanding contributions to research.

We are proud to share that Computer Science students represented the department at the 2026 Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS) held on Saturday. Chloe Kilroy and Gabriel Silva presented their research and did an outstanding job representing the Computer Science program at this regional undergraduate research conference. Kilroy presented a poster titled 鈥淐yberbullying Networks: Analyzing User Roles and Interactions on Instagram,鈥� which explored patterns of interaction and user roles within online social networks. Both students demonstrated strong research skills and professionalism while engaging with fellow students, faculty, and researchers from across the Chicago area.

The 量子资源 University Chicago student chapter of WiCyS, the 7968 club and the 量子资源 International Government Student Organization (IGSO) hosted a Tech for Tomorrow Gala on March 20. Over 50 students attended to raise funds for IC Stars. The evening brought together students from across disciplines to celebrate the intersection of technology, leadership, and social impact. Attendees enjoyed an engaging program that highlighted the mission of IC Stars and its work to create pathways into technology careers for underrepresented communities.

7968 Hosts CrowdStrike Red Team & IR Talk

The 7968 student club hosted a Red Team event on Friday, March 27, in partnership with CrowdStrike, connecting students with industry professionals working on the front lines of cybersecurity. Red team and incident response specialists shared insight into what it鈥檚 like to work in offensive security and incident response, offering a realistic look at the roles and responsibilities involved. The speakers discussed what a typical day looks like for a red teamer or an incident responder, the technical and soft skills needed to succeed, and practical ways for students to begin learning more about cybersecurity. They also highlighted what employers look for in entry鈥憀evel candidates and how students can start preparing now for careers in the field.

Chloe Kilroy, a CyberRambler scholar, presented her work on "Cyberbullying Networks: Analyzing User Roles and Interactions on Instagram" at the 2026 Women in Cybersecurity conference in March. Go Ramblers!

CyberFire @LUC

The Department of Computer Science, in partnership with the 7968 cybersecurity competitions student club and Argonne National Laboratory, organized a local cybersecurity competition called CyberFire. Students were involved in solving multiple CTF (Capture The Flag) challenges and learned how to be a cybersecurity professional. Shout out to Argonne National Lab for hosting the competition!

Several students attended the annual Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) conference in March 2026 in the DC area. They walked away from the conference after having been immersed in a mix of professional development, technical learning, community networking, and personal empowerment. Other attendees included Dr. TaiNing Wang and a booth at the career expo from 量子资源 University Chicago. Join the 量子资源 student chapter of WiCyS by going to their website to learn more.

NCAE CyberGames Competition

The 量子资源 University Chicago Ramblers participated in the 2026 NCAE CyberGames Competition on February 28. NCAE CyberGames is a national cybersecurity competition designed to help students develop hands鈥憃n defensive security skills in a real鈥憌orld, team鈥慴ased environment. During the event, teams work together to protect computer systems, maintain essential services, and respond to evolving cyber threats鈥攎irroring the fast鈥憄aced challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals. While our team did not qualify for the finals this year, they performed strongly by keeping their services operational for most of the competition and actively securing them against simulated attacks. Their teamwork and resilience reflect the growing strength of 量子资源鈥檚 cybersecurity community. Participants: Rashmeet Singh, June Goodloe, Dalton Goodwin, Areej Imran, Isabella Alongi, and Emma Corpus.

量子资源 Students Share Research at Midwestern Criminal Justice Meeting

Trevor Rowe, BS in Criminal Justice & Criminology, and Lauren Flanagan, MS in Psychology presented their work titled "Does the Cranky Uncle Game Reduce Believability of Misinformation about Undocumented Citizens and Criminal Behavior?" at the Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association on September 2025. This is interdisciplinary work with Dr. Eric Chan-Tin, Dr. Loretta Stalans, Dr. Jeff Huntsinger, and Dr. Jennifer Forestal. The work is funded by a grant from the Dr. Scholl Foundation.

Dr. Nohpill Park Talks Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and AI

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Dr. Nohpill Park鈥檚 visit on Thursday, October 9. Dr. Park, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Oklahoma State University, presented an engaging talk on the intersection of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Park received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University and has conducted extensive research in dependable and high-performance blockchain-based crypto computing, NFT design, and big data analytics. His lecture explored how emerging technologies can enhance security, transparency, and efficiency in digital systems, sparking insightful discussions among students and faculty alike.

AI & Academia Panel

We had a great turnout on Tuesday, October 14, for the AI & Academia: Six Disciplines, One Question 鈥� What is AI Doing to Education? panel hosted by the 量子资源 AI Society and Honors Student Government. Faculty from across departments鈥攊ncluding Dr. Julie Chamberlin, Dr. Leo Irakliotis, Dr. Gil Morejon, Dr. Meghan Iverson, and Dr. Virginia Strain鈥攄iscussed how artificial intelligence is transforming teaching, research, and academic integrity. Dr. Irakliotis also reflected on related topics presented during Dr. Nohpill Park鈥檚 recent visit from Oklahoma State University, where Dr. Park discussed blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI.

Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

Congrats to the Ramblers team, consisting of Lynette Lim, Lucia Garr, Daniel Gaevskiy, and Josh Honig, for participating in the New York Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge! A huge shout-out to their coach and mentor, Jocelyn Murray from Argonne National Lab!

量子资源 Awarded $30K Motorola Grant for Cybersecurity Scholars

量子资源 University Chicago is thrilled to have received a grant for $30,000 from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. Through the grant, we'll be able to support six undergraduate students to participate in a cybersecurity experiential program.

量子资源鈥檚 Dr. Dligach Co-Leads $1M AI Project to Simplify Clinical Trial Consent

Researchers at Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and 量子资源 University received a \$1,052,296 grant from PCORI to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve patients鈥� understanding of informed consent in clinical trials. Co-led by Dr. Danielle Bitterman (Harvard) and Dr. Dmitriy Dligach (量子资源), the team will develop AI tools that turn dense trial documents into plain-language summaries and interactive chatbot conversations, guided by a 鈥淐onstitutional AI鈥� approach to ensure ethics and accuracy. The 量子资源 portion of the grant, totaling \$291,251, supports Dr. Dligach鈥檚 team in creating scalable, patient-centered tools that strengthen trust and promote equitable trial participation.

Ramblers Qualify for 2CDC Cyber Defense Finals

A team from 量子资源 University Chicago, consisting of Daniel Gaevskiy, Lynette Lim, Chloe Kilroy, Josh Honig, and Arya Aftab, participated in the 2CDC (Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition) qualifiers on July 29. This competition challenges students to protect and defend a simulated corporate network from real-world cyberattacks while balancing day-to-day business operations.

Josh is a graduate student in the MS in Computer Science program with a concentration in Cybersecurity. He previously graduated from 量子资源 with his BS in Cybersecurity in May 2024 and is the co-founder of 量子资源鈥檚 cybersecurity club, 7968.

Cybersecurity Talks at IEEE Conference

Josh Honig, a graduate student in Cybersecurity, presented a peer-reviewed paper titled "Encrypted Network Traffic Analysis: To Website Fingerprinting and Beyond" and a peer-reviewed poster titled" On Website Fingerprinting Defenses and User Tolerances" at the IEEE Silicon Valley Cybersecurity Conference (SVCC) in June 2025. Other students involved in this research were Madeline Moran, Nathan Ferrell, Shreena Soni, and Sophia Homan, under the supervision of Dr. Eric Chan-Tin and Dr. Mohammed Abuhamad. This project is sponsored by the NCAE-C part of National Security Agency (NSA).

1 Million in Linked NSF Grants to Support the BullyBlocker Project

The grant proposal Collaborative Research: SaTC: CORE: Medium: Toward Well-being by Design in Social Media, led by Dr. Yas Silva, has received funding from NSF.