About Spen Lab
The Security and Privacy of Emerging Networks (SPEN) Research Lab is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to advancing cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, privacy, and networked systems. We develop novel methods for secure data sharing, enhance IoT security, and forge collaborations that drive real-world impact.
- Privacy-preserving techniques for autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles charging
- Hardware-based security solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) applications
- Federated learning and AI-based intrusion detection systems
- Blockchain-based energy trading for smart grid networks
- Privacy-aware authentication schemes using physical unclonable functions
We believe in fostering an environment of innovation, mentorship, and collaboration. Our work spans fundamental theoretical research and practical, applied solutions with high societal impact.
About Our Lead Academic Supervisor
Dr. Ahmed B. T. Sherif, Senior Member, IEEE
Associate Professor, School of Computing Sciences & Computer Engineering,
University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
Dr. Ahmed Sherif is the founder and director of the Security and Privacy of Emerging Networks (SPEN) Research Lab at USM. He joined USM on September 1, 2018, and leads a diverse team of graduate and undergraduate students in pioneering research across several cutting-edge fields.
Education
- Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Tennessee Technological University, USA (2017)
Thesis: "Towards Privacy-Preserving Services for Autonomous Vehicles (AVS)"
GPA: 4.0/4.0 - M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering – Egypt-Japan University of Science & Technology, Egypt (2014)
Thesis: "Detection of Black-hole Attack in Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET)"
GPA: 3.54/4.0 - B.S. in Computer Engineering – Al-Azhar University, Egypt (2007)
Grade: Excellent with honor
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Awards and Recognition
- Aubrey Keith and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence Award, USM (2022)
- University of Southern Mississippi 2021 Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award
- Best Paper Award at 2nd International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Intelligent Systems (ICETIS 2022)
Research & Publications
Dr. Sherif's work has appeared in prestigious journals including IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, IEEE Internet of Things Journal, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, IEEE Access, and Sensors. He has published extensively at top conferences including IEEE ICC, IEEE VTC, and IEEE SoutheastCon.
Contact Information
Office: Chain Technology Center (TEC) 329, Hattiesburg
Email: Ahmed.Sherif@usm.edu
Phone: (601) 000-0000
