Faculty
Dr. Alexander Nelson is an Assistant Professor of the in the CSCE Department at the University of Arkansas. He is the director of the ÆSIR laboratory (Applied Embedded Systems and IoT Research), as well as the CSCE PRIME Laboratory (PRIME Robitics, Innovation, and Maker Environment). He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in July 2017 under the supervision of Prof. Nilanjan Banerjee and Prof. Ryan Robucci. Dr. Nelson completed his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Engineering in 2012 and 2013 from the University of Arkansas. His research interests include embedded real-time systems, low-power design, assistive and rehabilitative technology, Internet of Things, smart and connected community, and pervasive computing. He is a member of the IEEE-HKN and Tau Beta Pi, and received the runner-up Best Paper award at ACM CCS 2023, and the runner-up Best Demo Award at IEEE PerCom 2015. He is a US National Science Foundation (NSF) GRFP Honorable Mention award winner.
PhD Students
Zachary Grider
Zachary obtained a B.S. degree in Economics, a B.S. degree in Computer Science, and an M.S. degree in Applied Economics all with Auburn University. He is currently pursuing the PhD degree in Computer Science at the University of Arkansas under supervision of Prof. Nelson. His research interests include natural language processing, big data, and distributed web. He expects to graduate in May 2025.
Tristen Teague
Tristen obtained a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2022. He is currently pursuing the PhD degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Arkansas under supervision of Prof. Nelson. His research interests include cybersecurity, side channel analysis, and system design.
M.S. Students
Alumni
PhD Thesis
Haoyan Liu, December 2022 – “Data driven deep learning-based analysis on THz Imaging”. Currently with ABB Inc.
M.S. Thesis
Reid Sutherland, Spring 2020 – “Stay-at-home motor rehabilitation: optimizing spatiotemporal learning on low-cost capacitive sensor arrays.” Currently with Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Enrique Sanchez Headley, Summer 2021 – “Signal processing and data analysis for real-time intermodal freight classification through a multi-modal sensor system.”
Michael Fahr Jr., Summer 2022 – “The effects of side-channel attacks on post-quantum cryptography: influencing FrodoKEM key generation using the rowhammer exploit.” Currently with Sierra Nevada Corporation.
B.S. Honors Thesis
Chenglong Lin, Spring 2019 – “Prototyping a capacitive sensing device for gesture recognition.”
Adam Goertz, Spring 2020 – “A capacitive sensing gym mat for exercise classification and tracking.” Currently with The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
Michael Fahr Jr., Spring 2020 – “Investigating machine learning techniques for gesture recognition with
low-cost capacitive sensing arrays.” Currently an M.S. Student at University of Arkansas.
Tristen Teague, Spring 2022 – “Evaluating side-channel security of post-quantum key establishment
mechanisms for embedded devices.” Currently at ARM.
David Whelan, Spring 2022 – “Integrating container quantity tracking into existing inventory management
systems using BLE and E-Ink.”
Carissa Patton, Spring 2023 – “Developing a multi-platform application to facilitate internal campus hiring.”
Paul Sam Lefforge, Spring 2023– “Reverse engineering post-quantum cryptography schemes to find rowhammer exploits.”
Ivris Raymond, Spring 2023– “Digital simulations of memristors towards integration with reconfigurable computing.” NSF GRFP awardee
Alexandria Lim, Spring 2023 – “Preserving user data privacy through the development of an Android Solid library.”
M.S. Project
Kyle Morley, Fall 2020 – Developed a methodology to encrypt human telemetry and perform computation
through homomorphic encryption. Currently with Two Six Technologies.
Okeoghene Emadoye, Fall 2020 – Developed a wearable universal remote control to communicate with
devices in the home. Currently with Microsoft Corporation.
Pietro Malky, Spring 2020 – Developed a mobile application to utilize the front and back cameras of
Smartphones as a de facto dash-camera. Currently with Walmart.
Aaron McGinn, Spring 2021 – Developed a mobile application to parse electronic medical records and
store personal records safely on personal devices. Currently with Cerner.