Faculty Mentors
Dr. Ahmad Patooghy
Dr. Ahmad Patooghy received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 2011. From 2011 to 2017, he was an Assistant Professor at Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran. Then, he joined the University of Central Arkansas, AR, USA (2018 to 2021). Since August 2021, he has been with the Department of Computer Systems Technology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he is currently leading the Intelligent and Embedded Systems Laboratory. He has published more than 100 journal papers and conference proceedings. He has served as a reviewer and PC member for various IEEE, ACM, Elsevier, and Springer journals and conferences. He has also served as a panelist for the National Science Foundation for reviewing grant proposals. His research interests include the security and reliability of machine learning applications and accelerators, hardware security in IoT and cyber-physical systems, and hardware design for machine learning acceleration.
Dr. Li-Shiang Tsay
Dr. Li-Shiang Tsay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Systems Technology at North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&TSU). The results of her research are widely published in referred journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings, all in the area of Knowledge Discovery in Databases and Intelligent Information Systems.
Dr. Ali AlQahtani
Dr. AlQahtani is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he founded and directs the Context-based Authentication Laboratory (CAL). His previous academic positions include Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and of Cybersecurity at the University of Wisconsin-Extended Campus. Dr. AlQahtani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also holds two master’s degrees: an M.S. in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity and Privacy, and an M.S.Eng. in Electrical Engineering. In 2020, he earned a Ph.D. in Engineering – Cyberspace Engineering, from Louisiana Tech University. Dr. AlQahtani’s primary research interests are in cybersecurity, context-based authentication, user authentication, and the security and authentication of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. He is passionate about the design and development of zero-effort and interaction multi-factor authentication systems. In his research, he utilizes Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques to create more efficient and effective security solutions. His research also extends to exploring AI and ML applications across various domains. He currently serves as an associate editor for both Frontiers in Communications and Networks and Frontiers in the Internet of Things. Additionally, he is a scientific reviewer for one of the most prestigious journals in the cybersecurity field, the IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security. He reviews for the IEEE Internet of Things Journal, which has an impact factor of +10, as well as for other journals with an impact factor of no less than 3. Beyond this, he serves as a Section Chair and a member of the Technical Program Committee for various IEEE international conferences. He has also had the honor of serving as a National Science Foundation (NSF) panelist.
Lonnie Harris
Lonnie Harris is a demonstrated leader with almost three decades in Information Security. In his most recent role, Lonnie was the V.P. of Privacy Engineering at Equifax, a publicly traded U.S. multinational corporation. Prior to that, Lonnie spent 2 decades with Cisco Systems, Inc., where he held various roles from leading security engineering teams and was a cybersecurity business architect. With the support of Cisco’s Security and Trust Organization, Lonnie launched Cisco’s Engineering in Resident (EIR) Program at North Carolina A&T State University. The EIR Program provided internships, full-time employment opportunities, and Cisco Engineers an opportunity to facilitate Cisco NetAcad courses. Lonnie is also the co-founder of CyberAlliance. A company committed to business growth, global privacy alignment, and addressing the global unemployment in cybersecurity in both Africa and the United States. Lonnie has a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and where he also teaches Networking, Cybersecurity, and other IT courses as an Adjunct Professor.