UF Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering

The Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering at the University of Florida is advancing the future of next-generation high-performance computing, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity and data science, with the appointment of Dr. Kevin Butler as department chair.
An internationally recognized leader in cybersecurity research, education and policy, Butler currently serves as director of the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research and holds the distinguished title of UF Research Foundation Professor. In addition to his many honors and achievements, his work spans trustworthy computing, privacy protections, cloud and mobile systems and AI-enabled technologies, helping advance secure, resilient and responsible computing.
As CISE continues to broaden its impact and rise in national prominence, we look forward to Dr. Butler’s dynamic leadership and vision as the department moves forward in advancing faculty research and innovation, strengthening industry partnerships, building a robust recruitment pipeline and expanding student career opportunities. We congratulate Dr. Butler and look forward to this exciting new chapter for UF Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering! # 🐊

When CISE Professor and Interim Chair Patrick Traynor, Ph.D., saw reports in the media positing that scientific literature is increasingly being generated by AI, he wondered, “How do they know?”

He and his co-authors are presenting a paper today at the 47th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy that delves into the inner workings of AIGT detectors to find out just how good they are.

Spoiler alert: they're not very good. More: https://bit.ly/42K97L3

With the spring semester decidedly in the rearview mirror, now's a great time to take stock of the remarkable work we've been doing lately in CISE.

Our spring newsletter has it all: remarkable alumni, anti-hacking efforts for thermal cameras, breaking AI on purpose, combatting non-consensual nudification apps and more...

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ts4398

The 2026 class of CISE Distinguished Alumni Awardees recently gathered to celebrate with department leadership and receive their awards in person. Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields, demonstrated outstanding personal accomplishments or exhibited exceptional service to the department and the college.

The honorees were Adam Bates, Ph.D., Subodha Charles, Ph.D., Aaron Kotranza, Ph.D. Unable to attend were: Ying Xuan, Ph.D. and Farimah Farahmandi, Ph.D.

More: https://cise.ufl.edu/2026/04/cise-celebrates-2026-class-of-distinguished-alumni-awardees/

Jean Louis, Ph.D., teaches a very hands-on class, Full-Stack IoT Development, in CISE. Each semester, he challenges students to build complete systems — from circuits and sensors to web applications.

Past projects have included remote-controlled cars powered by muscle movement, smart automatic blinds, AI-powered doorbells, and cross-campus environmental monitoring systems.

At semester's end, his students presented their final projects.

Here we have: Team Bapk (proximity alert device for visually impaired): Brian Borrego, Kausthubh Konuru, Adrian Lehnhaeuser, Pablo Pupo.

Team Miss Wired (vital signs monitoring and alert system): Mateo Bedoya, Michael Mwaura, José Ortega, Semion Reznik.

IoTeam (poor posture sensing and alerting device): Willian Acosta Cruz, Mary Ennis, Luna Khan, Allison Tivvis.

Peak Voltage (environmental monitoring & warning system): Matthew Juranek, Timmy Loos, Whitnie Ojie-Ahamiojie, Trinity Saunders.

Students in the class learn about the value of hands-on education as well as successful and effective presentation skills.

Congratulations to Meera Sitharam, Ph.D., selected by the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering to receive a Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award for the 2025–26 academic year.

Sitharam, a professor in the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE), was recognized for her excellence, innovation and effectiveness in doctoral dissertation advising.

More: https://bit.ly/4tBG6NC https://bit.ly/4tBG6NC

Many believe that older adults lack internet skills and are easily duped. Recent research shows that many in this age group are savvy and are, in fact, less likely to fall for online scams than younger adults.

Join Eszter Hargittai, Ph.D., Thursday April 23 at 12:30 pm ET as she presents "Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online" via Zoom. Student Session at 1:30.

Hargittai is professor and chair of Internet Use and Society at the Department of Communication and Media Research at the University of Zurich.

Registration for both sessions is required. https://prism.eng.ufl.edu/2026/02/23/eszter-hargittai/

Brought to you by the Center for Privacy and Security for Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations (PRISM).

Ready for more in your tech career?

Whether you’re looking to move up, specialize, or stay competitive in a rapidly changing field, the University of Florida’s Master of Science in Computer Science in Jacksonville is built for working professionals like you.

With concentrations in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, you’ll gain the skills you need to take on higher-impact roles—without putting your career on pause.

Join us for a virtual open house to learn more.

📅 Tuesday, April 21
🕡 6:30 p.m. ET

👉 Save your spot: https://bit.ly/47drUkT

CISE is proud to honor five alumni and their extraordinary achievements with Distinguished Alumni Awards. These awards celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields of expertise, demonstrated outstanding personal accomplishments or exhibited exceptional service to the department and the college.

The 2026 honorees are Aaron Kotranza, Ph.D., Adam Bates, Ph.D., Farimah Farahmandi, Ph.D., Subodha Charles, Ph.D., and Ying Xuan, Ph.D.

Learn more about the 2026 class here: https://cise.ufl.edu/2026/03/cise-celebrates-a-new-class-of-distinguished-gator-alumni/
Congratulations!