Why do research/go to grad school?

In my opinion, research is one of the most rewarding pursuits. You get to think of difficult questions and then attempt to answer them. You get to employ creative problem solving and pursue things that get you excited. Research can be incredibly rewarding (and frustrating).

If research is something that you think you might want to do for a career, grad school is likely a good choice for you.

Why join the SPAM lab?

Other than the super cool name and the even cooler logo (thank you Gemini Image Generator), there are several really great reasons to join the SPAM lab. First, I am an early-career faculty member which means that I am very excited to work with students in a hands-on fashion. I have many new and exciting ideas, and I am very happy to work closely with you as we develop them. Second, I work in an incredibly interesting space focusing on both the human and technial factors impacting secure software development. Working with me means getting to hunt for vulnerabilities and understand how people think, often in the same project.

Third, Mines is an R1 institution with a unique focus on research and teaching. The CS department is a small, tight-knit community. Finally, Mines is located in the beautiful Golden, CO. If you like doing stuff oustide, Colorado has a lot to offer. Additionally, there are many incredible concerts (Red Rocks Ampitheater), breweries, and places to eat.

For prospective PhD students:

What can you expect from me?

As your advisor, you can expect that I will:

Respect your work-life balance. I have a life outside of my job, and I understand and respect that you will too.
Review and assist with application materials for jobs, fellowships, and awards.
Be honest about funding and research options.
Give you feedback on papers, research protocols, and research ideas.
Encourage and support you to submit to top-tier security conferences.
Mentor you in all aspects of academia, including research, service, and teaching.

What do I expect from you?

Working with me, I expect that you will:

Come to our regular meetings with todos completed and questions/discussion points prepared.
Be self-motivated and proactive. I expect that you will attempt to solve any issues you run into in your research through outside sources or other lab members. If you can’t find a solution within a reasonable about of time, I expect that you will reach out to me asap. I also expect that you will take initiative on projects by pursuing relevant resources, planning next steps, and organizing projects to meet necessary deadlines. Expectations will change as you progress through your PhD. I expect more from senior students than junior students.
Communicate with me when issues arise, both in your research and your personal life. Additionally, if you are taking time off, please communicate this with me.
Be a good community member to your fellow lab mates, the Mines CS department, and the broader security and privacy community. This may include offering assistance to fellow grad students, attending job talks from prospective faculty candidates, chatting with prospective graduate students, and volunteering at conferences.

How to apply?

If working with me sounds like your cup of tea, please submit an application and email me to let me know you have applied. In the email, please let me know what interests you about working with me.