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Faculty and Staff Directory
Kambiz Ghazinour
Chair and Professor, Department of Cybersecurity | Lab Director, AISP Lab
Office: Dana Hall 212
Phone: 315-386-7067
www.ghazinour.com
Educational Background
- Postdoc - Computer Science, University of Ottawa, 2014
- Ph.D. - Computer Science, University of Calgary, 2012
- M.S. - Computer Science, University of New Brunswick, 2007
- B.S. - Software Engineering, University of Tehran, 2003
Research Interests
- Data Security and Privacy
- Privacy Enhancing Technologies
- Usable Security and Privacy
Minhua Wang
Senior Lecturer, Department of Cybersecurity | Program Coordinator
Professor Wang has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution's cybersecurity curriculum. He has introduced and taught a wide array of courses over the years. His contributions, ranging from foundational subjects to specialized topics, have been instrumental in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His dedication to the field and commitment to academic excellence are truly commendable.
Office: Nevaldine South 104B
Phone: 315-386-7691
Educational Background
- M.S - SUNY Buffalo
Research Interests
- Security and Risk Management
- Internet Search Algorithms
- Computer Graphics
- Financial Modeling
- Partial Differential Equations and Applications
Betis Baheri
Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity | Lab Director, Quantum S.H.I.E.L.D Lab
Betis Baheri, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cybersecurity at SUNY Canton and the founder of the Quantum Shield Laboratory (QSL), specializes in quantum computing, high-performance computing, machine learning, and cybersecurity. He honed his experience in large-scale computational systems at the Texas Advanced Computing Center and has collaborated with Los Alamos and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. Baheri received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Kent State University.
Office: Dana Hall 213
Phone: 315-386-7874
www.betisbaheri.com
Educational Background
- Ph.D - Computer Science, Kent State university, 2025
- M.S - Computer Science, Kent State University, 2020
- B.S - Computer Science,Kent State University, 2018
Research Interests
- Quantum Computing(ML,Noise,Scheduling,Optimization)
- Machine Learning and A.I.
- HPC
- IoT Devices(Quantum)
A M Mahmud Chowdhury
Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity
Office:
Phone: 7010
Linkedin
Educational Background
- Ph.D - Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clarkson University, 2025
- M.S - Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 2020
Research Interests
- Biometric and Identity Recognition
- Contactless Biometrics
- Multimodal Biometric Fusion
- Palmprint and Fingerprint Recognition
- Presentation Attack Detection (PAD)
- Smartphone-based Biometric Systems
- Artifical Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Deep Learning for Image Recognition
- Vision Transformers(ViT)
- Generative Models (StyleGAN2-ADA,StyleGan3)
- Feature Extraction and Representation Learning
- Large-Margin and Siamese Neural Networks
- Biomedical and Neural Signal Analysis
- EEG-based biomedical Authentication
- Cognititve State and Brain Signal Modeling
- AI for Healthcare and Biomedical Imaging
Mehdi Ghayoumi
Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity | Lab Director, Data Science Innovations Lab (DSIL)
Mehdi Ghayoumi is an Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and Director of the Data Science Innovations Lab at SUNY Canton. Dr.Ghayoumi brings interdisciplinary expertise in AI, digital health, and human-robot interaction through his leadership of several teams and labs. Specifically, He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, three textbooks, and led projects in intelligent systems, affective computing, and multimodal learning. Additionally, He has partnered with Sony, Double Robotics, OpenPath, and several startups, and has served as PI, advisor, and research scientist on several awards from the NSF (I-Corps, EPIIC, STTR) and the NIH at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and digital health. In parallel, as a mentor, he integrates diverse student teams into research in digital mental health and ethical AI and contributes nationally as a reviewer, panel organizer, and public speaker.
Office: Dana Hall 219
Phone: 315-386-7985
Linkedin
Educational Background
- Ph.D - Computer Science, Kent State University,2017
Research Interests
- AI and machine learning
- Digital Health
- Sociable Robots
- Security
Murat Simsek
Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity | Lab Director, Smart-Cyber-AI Lab
Murat Simsek completed his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in 1998, 2003, and 2012, respectively. He has been a Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE) since 2019. As of September 1, 2025, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Cybersecurity Department at SUNY Canton. Prior to this role, he was a Senior Research Associate at the NEXTCON Research Lab within the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa (2019-2021), and later a Senior Researcher at the Smart Connected Vehicles Innovation Centre (SCVIC) in Ottawa's Kanata North (2021-2025). From 2012 to 2019, he worked as a Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Astronautical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Dr. Simsek actively contributes to the academic community as a Technical Committee Member and Organizing Committee Member for several IEEE conferences and serves as an ad-hoc reviewer for peer-reviewed journals. His research interests include surrogate-based modeling and optimization, artificial intelligence, applied machine learning, deep learning, cybersecurity threats and anticipation, 5G and wireless communications and mobile edge computing.
Office: Dana Hall 214
Phone: 315-386-7126
Linkedin
Educational Background
- Ph.D - Electronics and Communications Engineering, Istanbul Technical Engineering, 2012
- M.S - Electronics and Communications Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 2003
- B.S - Electronics and Communications Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 1998
Research Interests
- Surrogate-based modeling and optimization
- Artifical Inteligence
- Applied Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity Threats and Anticipation
- 5G and Wireless communications and mobile edge computing
Paweena Waidelich
Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity
Office:
Phone:
Educational Background
- M.S - Computer Science, Kent State University, 2019
- M.L.I.S - Information Studies, McGill University, 2013
- B.A - Child Studies, Concordia University, 2011
Research Interests
- Childrens online security amd privacy in social media
- Security and privacy in wearable devices
- Security and privacy preservation: Authentication and anonymity mechanism
- Human and robot interaction (HRI): Trust and security
- A.I(Generative A.I) as a tool to enhance learning
Rich Ingersoll
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cybersecurity
Office:
Phone:
Linkedin
Educational Background
- M.S - Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Western Governors University, 2021
- M.S - IT Managment, Western Governors University, 2024
Research Interests
- Keeping rural hospitals secure
- OSINT
- AI for defending and attacking
- Vulnerability Managment
Afzal Hossain
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cybersecurity
Office: Dana Hall 219
Phone: 575-636-0200
Linkedin
Educational Background
- M.S - Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clarkson University,
- B.S - Computer science and Engineering, Eastern University,
Research Interests
- Biometrics
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Data Science
David Wells
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cybersecurity
David brings a unique blend of technical expertise and educational passion to SUNY Canton's Cybersecurity program. With a Master's degree in Information Technology in Education from SUNY Potsdam and a Web Development Certification from Syracuse University, he combines deep technical knowledge with proven teaching excellence. His approach to education goes beyond the textbook—David stays at the forefront of emerging technology trends and is passionate about hands-on learning. He's guided students through competitive challenges and real-world projects that bridge classroom theory with industry practice, preparing them for success in today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Office: Dana Hall 219
Phone:
Linkedin
Educational Background
- M.S - Technology Education, SUNY Potsdam, 2011
- B.S - Music Education, SUNY Potsdam, 1997
Research Interests
- Cybersecurity in Healthcare
- Cybersecurity Online Application
Safa Shubbar
Research Assistant, Department of Cybersecurity
Safa Shubbar holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and is a cybersecurity and computer science researcher with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics. Her work includes the design and application of Large Language Models (LLMs) for intelligent information retrieval, automated reasoning, natural language understanding, and decision support systems. She focuses on applying LLMs in secure, ethical, and domain-specific contexts, including healthcare and cybersecurity applications. Her interdisciplinary research applies advanced AI techniques to real-world problems.
Office: Dana Hall 232
Phone:
LinkedIn
Educational Background
- Ph.D - Computer Science, Kent State university, 2025
- M.S - Computer Science, Kent State University, 2017
- B.S - Computer Science, Iraq, 2009
What I Can Help With
- Cybersecurity fundamentals and applications
- Large Language Models (LLMs): prompt engineering, fine-tuning, RAG, evaluation, and responsible use.
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Data Mining and Data Analysis
- Python programming
- Research projects, publications, and capstone guidance
- Graduate school and research career preparation
- AI applications in healthcare and cybersecurity
Julia Colbert
Academic Advisor, Department of Cybersecurity
With over 21 years of experience helping students reach their goals, I’m passionate about the power of education to change lives. Before joining St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES as a co-teacher in Alternative Education, I spent seven years at Clarkson University as Director of the Annual Fund, raising scholarship support for students. Whether in the classroom or through fundraising, helping students succeed has always been and continues to be my mission.
Office:Cook Hall 117
Phone: 315-386-7890
Advising Webpage
Educational Background
- B.S - Marketing and Management Information Systems, Clarkson UNiversity, 1993
What I Can Help With
- Academic planning and course selection
- Course registration
- Navigating Degree Works, RooSuccess, and UCanWeb
- Declaring microcredentials, minors, or dual major
- Academic recovery
- AP credits and transfer credits
- Understanding university policies
- Identifying appropriate campus resources
- Support for personal and professional development
- Student services for tutoring, career services, or counseling resources
- All things SUNY Canton and All things academic!