academic excellence

Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy

dgivens8 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:47:40 +0000

Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy dgivens8 Mon, 07/28/2025 - 10:47

The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Georgia Tech is proud to recognize the accomplishments of five doctoral students who finished their doctoral programs in Spring 2025. These scholars have advanced critical research in software security, cryptography, and privacy, collectively publishing 34 papers, most of which appear in top-tier venues.

Ammar Askar developed new tools for software security in multi-language systems, including a concolic execution engine powered by large language models. He highlighted DEFCON 2021, which he attended with the Systems Software and Security Lab (SSLab), as a favorite memory.

Zhengxian He persevered through the pandemic to lead a major project with an industry partner, achieving strong research outcomes. He will be joining Amazon and fondly remembers watching sunsets from the CODA building.

Stanislav Peceny focused on secure multiparty computation (MPC), designing high-performance cryptographic protocols that improve efficiency by up to 1000x. He’s known for his creativity in both research and life, naming avocado trees after famous mathematicians and enjoying research discussions on the CODA rooftop.

Qinge Xie impressed faculty with her adaptability across multiple domains. Her advisor praised her independence and technical range, noting her ability to pivot seamlessly between complex research challenges.

Yibin Yang contributed to the advancement of zero-knowledge proofs and MPC, building toolchains that are faster and more usable than existing systems. His work earned a Distinguished Paper Award at ACM CCS 2023, and he also served as an RSAC Security Scholar. Yang enjoyed teaching and engaging with younger students, especially through events like Math Kangaroo.

Faculty mentors included Regents’ Entrepreneur Mustaque Ahamad, Professors Taesoo Kim and Vladimir Kolesnikov, and Assistant Professor Frank Li, who played vital roles in guiding the graduates’ research journeys.

Learn more about the graduates and their mentors on the 2025 Ph.D. graduate microsite.

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Summary

Five Ph.D. students from Georgia Tech’s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy graduated in Spring 2025, contributing significant research in software security, cryptography, and privacy with 34 published papers. Highlights include Ammar Askar’s concolic execution tools, Zhengxian He’s industry collaboration, Stanislav Peceny’s advances in multiparty computation, Qinge Xie’s adaptability across domains, and Yibin Yang’s award-winning work on zero-knowledge proofs. Faculty mentors played key roles in supporting their success.

Dateline

Wed, 05/14/2025 - 12:00

jpopham3@gatech.edu

Contact

JP Popham, Communications Officer II

College of Computing | School of Cybersecurity and Privacy

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academic excellence

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients

dgivens8 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:23:29 +0000

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients dgivens8 Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:23

This year's Provost's Academic Excellence Award recipients include Alexander Divoux from the College of Sciences, Isabella Baker from the College of Design, Camryn Bryant from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Aubrey Charron from the Scheller College of Business, and Andrew DiBiasio from the College of Computing.

Established in 2021, the Provost’s Academic Excellence Award was created to recognize the remaining finalists of the Love Family Foundation Award. Each recipient is a graduating senior and represents the most outstanding scholastic record from their college. Finalists receive a $2,000 award, generously sponsored by the Love Family Foundation, and recognition at the annual Student Honors Celebration.

Alexander Divoux is a mathematics and computer science student in the College of Sciences. Alexander has conducted research in combinatorics and wishes to continue math research in external probabilistic combinatorics and structural graph theory. He is also fluent in Chinese and actively studying Japanese as a part of the Japan Student Association. Alexander plans to pursue a PhD in mathematics at Princeton University after he graduates. “I am deeply honored to have received this award, and am incredibly grateful to my family, friends, and mentors for their continuous support. Throughout my time at Georgia Tech, I have been shaped by the outstanding guidance generously offered by this amazing community. A special thanks to Dr. Tom Kelly and Dr. Xingxing Yu for nurturing my curiosity and growth in mathematics. Georgia Tech has been a place of constant discovery and inspiration, and I am both excited and proud to carry that spirit forward in all that comes next.”

Isabella Baker is an architecture major in the College of Design and is minoring in Environmental Science. Isabella was awarded “Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher” for her work on photogrammetry in Italian ornamentation. She aspires to contribute to environmentally conscious urban development through interdisciplinary collaboration and research. Isabella notes, “The future of sustainable architectural design is promising, and I am committed to contributing to climate change mitigation through innovative and responsible design solutions.” Isabella will be returning to Georgia Tech to obtain her Master’s in Architecture. “Receiving this award is a deeply meaningful way to conclude my undergraduate experience at Georgia Tech. I’m especially thankful to the School of Architecture for creating space for me to explore the areas of the field I am most passionate about while learning alongside inspiring peers and faculty. I’ve found the collaborative environment at Georgia Tech extremely supportive and exciting, and through my minor, research, and student-led initiatives, I have grown as both a designer and individual. Special thanks to Dr. Danielle Willkens and Julie Kim for their invaluable support and guidance. I’m looking forward to carrying forward everything I have learned at Georgia Tech as I take the next steps in my studies and career.”

Camryn Bryant is currently a literature, media, and communication student in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Camryn was a recipient of the Gold OMED Tower Award which celebrates the academic achievements of Georgia Tech students. She is the founder of an online fashion magazine and has been involved in several organizations on campus including filmmaking, investing clubs, Society of Women in Business, and Girls into Venture Capital. One day, Camryn hopes to build her dream career that blends her love for film, fashion, and finance – combining creativity, style, and strategy. After graduation, Camryn will be working as a Financial Analyst for the Wealth Management Division at Goldman Sachs. “As a student in Ivan Allen College, I have learned a variety of tangible skills — from analyzing films to writing white papers. But ultimately, the most important thing I’ve learned is the value of community. I am blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and educators during this chapter of my life. My communities, both at home and on campus, have shown me that anything is possible with hard work, commitment, and faith. I am extremely honored to represent Ivan Allen College in this way and can’t wait to give back to Georgia Tech as an alumna. Go Yellow Jackets!”

Aubrey Charron is a business administration major in the Scheller College of Business. Aubrey interned at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on the Arthur M. Blank Transition Team as they worked to open the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital. She also was a campus tour guide and won Tour Captain of the Semester in 2024. Aubrey hopes to pursue a career in hospital administration and would like to get her Master of Healthcare Administration in the future. “I am honored to represent the Scheller College of Business and grateful to the Love family for making this award possible. As I found my footing both at Georgia Tech and as a young adult, there have been countless reasons to laugh, celebrate, and even cry. In every moment, I have been able to turn to the Undergraduate Program Office, Professors Bill Todd and Tim Martin, my incredible friends and family, and countless others for support and guidance. Scheller has become my home over the past four years. Thank you, Scheller– I’ll forever be your biggest fan!”

Andrew DiBiasio is a computer science major in the College of Computing. Andrew is a teaching assistant for CS 1332 where he strives to provide mentorship and guidance to students. Andrew is interested in facing real-world problems, one example of this is a tool he made that track room utilization on campus, addressing enrollment issues. Andrew will be returning to Georgia Tech to pursue a Master’s of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Machine Learning. “I’m deeply honored to receive this award and want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their support, and the faculty and staff of Georgia Tech’s College of Computing for their guidance throughout this incredible four-year journey. I want to issue a special thank you to Dr. Mary Hudachek-Buswell for her exceptional support, as this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without her. Lastly, I'd like to thank Dr. Offerson, who has served as a role model throughout my time at Tech, for motivating me to always put my best foot forward.”

The Office of Undergraduate Education is proud to celebrate these exceptional students and looks forward to their continued success in their academic and professional pursuits.

Summary sentence

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Summary

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Dateline

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 12:00

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Georgia Tech Shines in 2025 ‘US News’ Graduate Program Rankings

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:41:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Shines in 2025 ‘US News’ Graduate Program Rankings admin Tue, 04/08/2025 - 07:41

Georgia Institute of Technology has once again demonstrated its leadership and excellence in graduate education, as reflected in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report program rankings. The rankings highlight Georgia Tech's stellar performance across various disciplines, reaffirming its reputation as a first-rate institution.

Engineering Programs Remain Top Tier

In the realm of engineering, Georgia Tech continues to excel, with all programs holding top 10 spots. Industrial Engineering continues to lead the nation, holding first place. The Aerospace Engineering program maintained second place, tied with California Institute of Technology, while Biomedical Engineering also held steady at second place. Civil Engineering climbed to second place, tied with the University of California – Berkeley. Computer Engineering rose to fifth place, tied with the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign. Environmental Engineering moved up to fourth place, tied with the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and Virginia Tech, while Chemical Engineering held its fifth place ranking. Mechanical Engineering remained in fifth place, tied with the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

Business Programs Make Significant Moves

Georgia Tech's graduate business programs have seen significant advancements. The part-time MBA program jumped to 10th place, tied with Georgetown University (McDonough) and the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (Carlson). Production/Operations moved up to fifth place. Business Analytics climbed to third place. Information Systems remained strong at fifth place.

College of Computing Holds Top 10 Spots

The College of Computing also continues to excel, receiving top 10 rankings in multiple areas, including rising up to the sixth spot overall for computer science programs. Artificial Intelligence ranked sixth. Systems remained strong in fourth place, tied with Stanford University and the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign. These accolades underscore the College’s leadership in advancing research and developing cutting-edge curricula that prepare students for impactful careers in technology and innovation.

Public Affairs Programs Secure Top Recognition

Georgia Tech's public affairs programs from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts have also maintained top 10 positions, with Information and Technology Management retaining second place and Environmental Policy and Management holding steady in eighth place.

*Please note that this summary includes the latest rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. Not all Georgia Tech Colleges, Schools, and subjects are ranked every year by this organization.

Summary sentence

The advancements in various graduate programs highlight the dedication of Georgia Tech's faculty, students, and staff in achieving new academic heights.

Summary

These rankings reflect Georgia Tech's commitment to academic and research excellence. The advancements in various graduate programs highlight the dedication of Georgia Tech's faculty, students, and staff in achieving new academic heights.

Dateline

Tue, 04/08/2025 - 12:00

sar30@gatech.edu

Contact

Siobhan Rodriguez

Senior Media Relations Representative

Institute Communications

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