Abstract: Over the past decade, the rapid advancement of emerging cyber-physical systems (CPS), such as autonomous vehicles (AVs) and virtual reality (VR), has transformed the way we interact with technology and daily life. However, these innovations introduce new security challenges due to inadequate protection measures compared with their increasing integration into daily life. My research aims to bridge this gap by studying and addressing critical security concerns in CPS through a human-centered lens, with the goal of developing secure, usable systems for real-world applications. In this talk, I will explore key security challenges and fundamental design issues in creating robust CPS platforms. I will share how leveraging human-centered computing has enabled me to design and implement systems that not only meet security requirements but also align with user needs, enhancing both usability and resilience. Finally, I will outline my current and future research directions in cybersecurity, mobile sensing, and human-centered approaches, and share my research vision in redefining the security of modern systems and better serving real-world users.

Short Speaker Bio: Huadi Zhu is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Boise State University. Prior to this, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington. His main research contributions and interests include cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems (CPS), networks, mobile computing, and human-centered computing (HCC). Aiming to bridge the gap between real-world user demands and system limitations, his research endeavor leads to secure and usable solutions addressing practical concerns in emerging CPS and mobile applications. His research has been published in prestigious security and networking venues, including NDSS, CCS, MobiCom, UbiComp, and SenSys.