In the fall of 2022, we launched our doctoral program in Computer Science. A cross-college effort, including the departments of Computer Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering, this rigorous Ph.D. blends the highest level of theory and practice, using state-of-the-art computing technologies to meet current and projected market demands for Computer Science experts in academia, industry and government.
During the course of the four-year, full-time program, students can tailor their research to their professional goals as either tenure-track professors or industry leaders. While the program focuses on the applied research needs for cutting-edge industry innovation, our graduates who plan to teach and run university research labs find this hands-on approach broadens their own opportunities.
Students also enjoy flexibility with their choice of subject matter expertise. The program leverages our existing research clusters and curriculum in the areas of artificial intelligence, data engineering/science, computer and network security, information technology, software engineering, game design, cybersecurity, and quantum computing, all of which are in high demand across the country.
We look forward to seeing your applications and supporting you as you engage computer
science research, develop advanced projects, and work alongside industry during internships
and partnerships.
Abhishek Parakh
Director, Ph.D. in Computer Science
Information Sessions for Spring 2027 Admission (Application Deadline August 1, 2026)
Benefits of Computer Science Ph.D. @ Kennesaw State University
Customized Research – Conduct innovative research projects tailored to student’s specific professional goals, whether in academia or the applied research needs of industry.
Study Flexibility – Gain valuable expertise in advanced areas of study, including artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, computer and network security, quantum computing, information technology, software engineering, data engineering/science and project development.
Internships – You will have many opportunities to gain hands-on, real-world experience by participating in internships during your time in the program, preparing you to advance in your career.
Practical Skill Application – Develop practical Computer Science and research skills that can be applied to high-paying industry fields immediately upon graduation.
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships – Admitted full-time students, in good standing, are funded (contingent on availability of funds) through the duration of the program, receiving a competitive Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) salary and tuition waivers.
Faculty Research Areas
Research is an important component of the faculty and student activities in the College of Computing and Software Engineering. Our distingushed faculty members come from all departments of the College of Computing and Software Engineering, including: Computer Science, Information Technology, and Software Engineering and Game Development. In the list below you can see a listing of our faculty and the various research areas they are working in. Click on the major research grouping below, to see the subareas and the links to the faculty members research pages.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Subareas: Machine Learning, Adversarial ML, Agentic AI, Applied AI, Trustworthy ML, AI for SE,
Cognitive & Computational Psychology, Computational Creativity, and LLMs.
The Computer Science Ph.D. Program is designed in a manner that works for the full-time students but also the flexibility of the part-time student. Students are required to complete 72 hours of core requirements, electives and dissertation research before the defense of their dissertation.
Kennesaw State's Computer Science Ph.D. Handbook sets forth the policies, requirements, and expectations for the Computer Science
Ph.D. (CS Ph.D.) program.
Funding
The Computer Science Ph.D. program at KSU is highly competitive, both for admission
as well as for funding. Admitted students who request funding may be eligible for
a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA).
Funded students receive support in the form of a Graduate Assistant appointment and a tuition waiver. Funding is available from multiple sources. Prospective Ph.D. students are encouraged to directly reach out to the Program Faculty of the Computer Science Ph.D. program to inquire about available research funding from external sources; and to reach out to the Program Director regarding institutional funding. In addition, scholarships may be available through federal agencies as well as industry that a prospective student may seek.
Admission to Computer Science Ph.D. Program
The program committee considers several factors when making admissions decisions, including academic performance at prior institutions, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are optional.
Following represents the minimum requirements for admissions into the CS Ph.D. program:
An undergraduate or graduate degree in Computer Science or a related field from an
accredited university. Other degrees are considered on a case-by-case basis for those
who show extraordinary background.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 from an undergraduate degree or 3.5 from a graduate
degree (on a 4.0 grade scale). Lower GPA is considered on a case-by-case basis for
those who show extraordinary background.
GRE Score Report - (Optional). If you do wish to submit a GRE report, request that your scores be sent electronically to KSU (school code 5359). No department code is necessary.
Resume or CV
Statement of how this degree facilitates your career goals, recent accomplishments
and activities, and research interest.
Three Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional contacts.
Successful completion of Math courses through Calculus II and Discrete Math, and undergraduate
Data Structure Course.
General Admission requirements include:
Meet all KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements
We currently have two admission cycles. Applications for the Fall semester are due: February 1st and for the Spring semester: August 1st.
How long will the program take?
The Computer Science Ph.D. program is a 4 year program for most full-time students.
Are the courses offered online?
NO. The CS Ph.D. Program is an in-person program.
Can I pursue the program part-time, while working a full-time job?
YES, KSU's computer Science Ph.D. is also designed for those who are eager to pursue
a degree yet need to be part-time because of work commitments.
Does the CS PhD Program accept transfer credits
Graduate work taken at other regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program director and/or graduate committee in order to satisfy degree requirements. Such transfer credit cannot exceed 25% of the total semester hours required for the degree and cannot reduce residency requirements.
How much does the program cost?
This is a traditional, Ph.D. Program. Therefore, most qualified students full-time
students will receive a tuition waiver and a research stipend.
Part-time students are self funded.
What qualifies you as a full or part-time student?
Full-time students take 9 credit hours per semester (fall/spring). 4 years in program
Part-time students can take 3-6 credit hours per semester.
All students must complete the program within 10 years of starting the program.
Can I live on campus?
Yes. The university provides on-campus housing at both our Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.
There is also off campus housing options within a mile of the campus - most of which
is on the bus line for the university.
KSU does not pay for housing. All housing must be secured by and paid for by student.
What degree is needed for admission to the PhD Program
Students can enter the Computer Science Ph.D. program after successfully completing the bachelor's degree.
Many of our students enter after completing their master's degree.
Is the GRE needed for admissions?
No. Kennesaw no longer requires the GRE for Graduate Admission.
But if you do wish to submit your scores, you must request for them to be sent directly
to KSU (school code 5359).
How do you choose a Ph.D. advisor?
Students are encouraged to look through our faculty listing in our departments:
Introducing the bright minds in the realm of Computer Science at Kennesaw State! Our
PhD student highlights celebrates excellence, innovation and dedication within the
world of academia. Meet the future leaders who are pushing the boundaries of technology,
conducting groundbreaking research and shaping the digital landscape of tomorrow.
Explore their stories, achievements and contributions to the ever-evolving field of
Computer Science, as we showcase the passion and brilliance of our exceptional doctoral
students.
Fall 2022 Cohort 1
Emin Mary Abraham
Hometown: India
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Technology in Computer Cognition Technology
Syed Md Shamsul Alam
Hometown: Dhaka,Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: My first paper was published in the IEEE conference.
Abm. Adnan Azmee
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I stood 5th from Bangladesh in Information-Technology Engineers Examination.
Jobair Hossain Faruk
Hometown: Barishal, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Software Engineering
Master of Technology in Software Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Best paper award for one of my research papers at IEEE International Conference on
Health Informatics (ICHI) 2022.
Thinh Lee
Hometown: Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I am just starting out in the field of Quantum Computing. I'm also interested in
the application of Data Science particularly anomaly detection to smart homes.
Manh Nguyen
Hometown: Nghe, Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishments: After my Freshmen year ended, I decided to take on the challenge of learning the English language. I am from Vietnam, and it is a very big deal to learn the English language. I received my IELTS test results in July 2017 and received an amazing score. I am very proud of these accomplishments because I became accountable for my own decisions and furthering myself from many different angles.
Pablo Ordonez
Hometown: Brookhaven, Georgia
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science
Doctor of Medicine, General Surgeon
Biggest Accomplishments: I have three big accomplishments that I deeply care about. They are becoming a father,
having a patent and being able to save people's lives.
David Stabler
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I received an outstanding part time teaching award in the college of Computing and Software Engineering at Kennesaw State University.
Navneet Verma
Degrees: Master of Business Administration in Management Science
Master of Science in Computer Science & Mathematics
Biggest Accomplishment: I enjoy solving business problems using artificial intelligence and applied mathematics.
Fall 2023 Cohort 2
Umme Afifa
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Engineering
Master of Science in Information and Communication Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I participated in and successfully completed all the requirements of the 10th Summer School on Laser and Laer Applications (SSOLLA), organized by the Advanced Photonics Research Institute (APRI), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea.
El Arbi Belfarsi
Hometown: Safi, Morocco
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Throughout the last four years, I have offered academic tutoring and mentorship to
hundreds of university students to make progress towards their STEM degrees.
Lingtao Chen
Hometown: Fuzhou, China
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computational Science & Pure Math
Biggest Accomplishment: I published a paper while I was completing an internship at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Nobel Dhar
Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: First-authored publication on Bengali Text Summarization at an IEEE conference.
Ethan Hunt
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Pure Mathematics.
Biggest Accomplishment: My current research is what I am most proud of. The paper I am currently working
on deals with finding a new algorithm to find Hamiltonian Paths.
Md Majedul Islam
Hometown: Chandpur, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Having my research work published at several reputed conferences. Also, my name is
included in the Firefox browser's "about:credits" page for my contributions.
Md Romyull Islam
Hometown: Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods
Biggest Accomplishments: Achieved the honor of being the top student of the year in the entire department while
pursuing my master's degree.
Ilia Jahanshahi
Hometown: Mashhad, Iran
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: Receiving a direct Ph.D. admission in my chosen area of expertise.
Nitin Jha
Hometown: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics
Biggest Accomplishment: I am the second person in my whole family to get accepted into a Ph.D. program. I
also am the first to get a Ph.D. admission from my high school (DAV NIT) in my hometown.
Mourya Teja Kunuku
Hometown: Rajahmundry, Andhra pradesh India
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: For years, I had dreamt of delving deep into research, contributing to the pool of knowledge in my field, and making a lasting impact on society. The decision to take a leap of faith and start my Ph.D. became a defining moment. Each day is a new opportunity to expand my horizons, engage with brilliant minds, and uncover the mysteries of my chosen field. Surrounded by like-minded individuals who share my thirst for knowledge, I have found encouragement, support, and mentorship. As I immerse myself in the pursuit of my Ph.D., I feel a profound sense of purpose. The decision to pursue a Ph.D. has taught me that sometimes the greatest rewards lie on the other side of fear. It is a testament to my belief that following one's passion is the key to a truly fulfilling life. I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead.
Jui Mhatre
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: My paper was published in ACM /SIGAPP Symposium conference.
Viraaji Mothukuri
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
Master of Science in Software Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: In my enriching career journey, two significant milestones stand out. One, earning
the Best Paper Award from FGCS in 2022, which is a nod to the impact of my research.
Two, while at JP Morgan & Chase, I made pivotal contributions leading to a pending
patents and industry awards, underscoring my knack for innovation on Data Science
projects.
Kiran Mai Narnavaram
Hometown: Madanapalle, India
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Biggest Accomplishment: I worked as Software Developer at Eureka IT solutions Pvt Ltd.
Kazi Fahim Ahmad Nasif
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Data Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Forecasting Humidity of Dhaka City for "Bangladesh Meteorological Department".
Francis Nweke
Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment was completing my bachelor's degree with First-Class Honors.
P.S. Since I am now a proud Owl, This is also a major achievement, right? I mean, “Hoo” wouldn't be impressed by my nocturnal prowess and ability to hoot on key?
Christopher Regan
Hometown: Newnan Georgia (but I was born in Cincinnati OH)
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development
Master of Science in Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: I developed solutions using Federated Learning, a machine learning approach, and
applied these techniques to real-world datasets. This work led to the publication
of a paper in an Elsevier ScienceDirect journal, Machine Learning with Applications,
on the use of Federated Learning for IoT botnet attack detection. Beyond research,
I've also applied my skills in a practical context. I've maintained and managed a
public-facing personal blog site, regularly updating content to engage with the audience
and continue my growth as a writer.
Nishat Tasnim
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods
Biggest Accomplishment: I was recognized as a top performer in the AI Professional Training Program conducted
by the ICT Division of Bangladesh.
Long Thang Vu
Hometown: Haiduong, Vietnam
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
Degrees: Master of Science in Software Engineering
Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology
Master of Engineering in Technology of Computer Application
Bachelor of Education in Educational Technology
Biggest Accomplishment: I am proud of my academic achievements. I am also a proud mother to my three beautiful
children.
Fall 2024 Cohort 3
Suman Bharti
Hometown: Patna, India
Bachelor's Degree: Electronics Engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Pune India
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, US
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest achievement is being the first in my family to go abroad for higher studies,
starting with a master's degree and eventually being admitted to a PhD program in
Computer Science. I remained dedicated to my passion persevering through both the
highs and lows.
Pritom Dutta
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from American International University-Bangladesh
Biggest Accomplishment: Graduating in Computer Science and Engineering from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) was a dream come true, it laid the foundation for everything I’ve achieved so far. But the real highlight of my journey came when I started working as a Software Engineer (QA) at MAX Group BD, one of the most reputed companies in Bangladesh. For 2.5 years, I dedicated myself to ensuring software quality, collaborating with talented teams, and pushing my limits to grow as a professional. It wasn’t always easy—there were challenges, deadlines, and lots of learning, but every bit of it shaped me into who I am today. Being part of such a respected organization was more than just a job for me; it was proof of my hard work and commitment paying off. It’s a chapter in my life that I’m incredibly proud of and one that motivates me to aim even higher in the future.
Madeline Frank
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
Degrees: BS Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology Concentration from Georgia Tech MS Computer Science from KSU
Career Goal: Professor of Computer Science
Biggest Accomplishment: Deciding to go back to school after working for several years to pursue an MS degree
in computer science. After completing my MSCS, I decided to continue with my PhD in
CS to (hopefully) make a meaningful impact through research and teaching.
Nursat Jahan
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: BSc in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: I secured admission to the top university in Bangladesh for my undergraduate studies.
I later worked as a Data Engineer at the country's leading telecom company. After
11 years of working as a software engineer in several multinational companies, I began
my PhD to pursue my dream and embark on my journey of higher studies. Moreover, I
am a proud mother to an amazing daughter, whose presence inspires me to pursue my
passions and distinguish myself in a crowd.
Cameron Redovian
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Degrees: B.S. Mechatronics Engineering from Kennesaw State University M.S. Computer Science with a specialization in Computational Perception from Georgia
Institute of Technology
Work History: CTO at R-DEX Systems, Inc. (5+ years)
Biggest Accomplishment: Won 2nd place out of 700+ competitors in the Army's 2024 xTechScalable AI 2 Project
Linchpin competition for my work on real-time out-of-distribution detection at the
edge.
A Ridwan
Hometown: Feni, Bangladesh.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) with a minor in Mathematics.
Biggest Accomplishment: I have published papers in several conferences and reached the Top 9 in the robotics
reality show "Esho Robot Banai," which was an exciting and rewarding experience.
Umme Salma
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)
Biggest Accomplishment: Received multiple merit-based scholarships throughout academic life, from elementary
school to university. Served as a lecturer at the top-ranked private university in
my country for over 1.5 years, teaching more than 400 students per semester.
Nazmus Shakib
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science and Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to contribute to research through the publication of 7 articles, including 5 conference papers, 1 journal article, and a book chapter. This experience fostered my interest in collaborative problem-solving and academic research. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I joined IQVIA as a Software Development Engineer-I, where I’ve continued to grow both technically and professionally.
Sait Suer
Hometown: Adana, Turkey
Degrees: BS in Electronic Engineering at Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
MS in Applied Computing at University of Central, Arkansas, USA
Biggest Accomplishment: During my Master's studies, I had the opportunity to publish three research papers
in the fields of bioinformatics and medical imaging. One of my papers was published
in BMC Bioinformatics, one of the top conferences in the bioinformatics domain. Additionally,
I authored a journal article in the prestigious Color Medical Image Analysis journal.
Jalal Uddin
Hometown: Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor's in Mechatronics Engineering
Biggest Accomplishments: Academic Excellence Award 2018, Dept. of Mechatronics Engineering, RUET
Youngshuai Wu
Hometown: China
Degrees: B.Eng. in Microelectronics Science and Engineering, at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China M.S. in Information Technology, at Kennesaw State University
Biggest Accomplishment: Best Paper Award on 2022 IEEE GLOBECOM conference.
Spring 2025 Cohort 4
Nasim Ahmed
Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Degrees: B. Sc (Engg.) in Computer Science and Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science
and Technology, Bangladesh
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Biggest Accomplishment: I am a first-generation student and the first person in my family to be admitted
to a Ph.D. program.
Aaron Cummings
Hometown: Cumming, GA
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Science from KSU, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
from KSU
Biggest Accomplishments: Fall 2024 Outstanding Student Award MS in Computer Science, co-author of IEEE publication
Md Jahirul Islam
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degrees: BSc. in Computer Science & Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology,
Bangladesh
MS in Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA
Biggest Accomplishment: Publications in IEEE VR 2024 at Florida, USA, and in IEEE VR 2025 at France.
Ehsan Salehi
Hometown: Kennesaw, GA
Degrees: Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Biggest Accomplishment: I was one of the authors of the Future Airborne Capabilities Enviornments and I establsed
the Verification Authority Department for my previous employer LDRA.
Fall 2025 Cohort 5
Sinha Afroz
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), United International University (UIU)
Professional Objective: To become a researcher focused on creating immersive technologies that solve real-world
problems in healthcare and beyond.
Biggest Accomplishment: I graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and received academic scholarships in recognition
of my consistent academic excellence throughout my undergraduate studies. A defining
moment for me was having my research on real time face recognition with masks published
at an international conference. Earlier in my academic journey, I created a robotic
boat designed to clean polluted urban water, which won first place in a university
tech competition.
Md Rashik Shahriar Akash
Hometown: Rangpur, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Daffodil International University
Professional Objective: To become a professor and researcher in Computer Science, working to improve healthcare through technology.
Biggest Accomplishment: Recipient of the Gold Medal for Outstanding Academic Excellence at the 12th Convocation
of Daffodil International University, awarded to the top-performing graduate. Published
multiple research papers in reputed Q1 and Q2 journals, focusing on medical imaging
and applied machine learning.
Amatul Bushra Akhi
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
Master’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: To pursue cutting-edge research in computer science, particularly in AI and computer
vision, while contributing to academic excellence through teaching, mentoring, and
scholarly publications.
Biggest Accomplishment:
Ahmed Amarak
Hometown: Sala Al Jadida, Morocco
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Al Akhawayn University
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become a successful professor and researcher.
Biggest Accomplishment: I graduated from Al Akhawayn University with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and I was also able
to publish a conference paper during my junior year.
Shemonti Barua
Hometown: Chittagong, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology
Professional Objective: To become a researcher.
Biggest Accomplishment: Successfully accomplished my undergraduate thesis and turned it into a confe
rence paper
Kowshik Chowdhury
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology,
Bangladesh
Professional Objective: To advance the field of software security through innovative research in AI-driven
threat mitigation, with the goal of developing scalable, secure, and sustainable solutions
for real-world cyber-physical infrastructures.
Biggest Accomplishment: 1. ”HyperChain: Blockchain-Based Medicine Authenticity Verification in Bangladesh,” (Best Presenter), 27th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT), 2024. 2. Secured a top 10 spot among 53 teams at the HackTheVerse Blockchain Challenge Hackathon, IIT, DU (2023). 3. Champion of IEEE 'Face The Case' Competition (2020)– Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills in a competitive setting.
Jiban Krisna Das
Hometown: Statesboro, GA
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Asian University of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Master’s Degree: Information Technology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Master’s Degree: Information Technology, Georgia Southern University, USA
Professional Objective: To conduct cutting-edge cybersecurity research, developing AI/ML based threat detection models tailored for cloud and IoT environments
Biggest Accomplishment: 1. Obtained MSc. in Information Technology degree from Georgia Southern University. 2. Published research papers in IEEE Xplore and Springer Nature, 3. Successfully served as a Radar T
echnology Instructor in Bangladesh Air Force
Aparajita Dola
Hometown: Jhalakati, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology
Professional Objective: My professional goal is to contribute to the design and development of advanced extended
reality (XR) systems, particularly by exploring user interaction solutions across
diverse domains such as gaming, education, and training.
Biggest Accomplishment: Co-authored a peer-reviewed paper in 2021: M. T. Rahman and A. Dola, "Automated Grading of Diabetic Retinopathy using DenseNet-169 Architecture," 2021 5th International Conference on Electrical Information and Communication Technology (EICT), Khulna, Bangladesh, 2021, pp.1-4, doi: 10.1109/EICT54103.2021.9733431.
Deion Hall
Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Master’s Degree: Cyber Security, Drexel University
Professional Objective: to grow as an academic leader committed to excellence in teaching and research.
Md Mahedi Hassan
Hometown:Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: To enhance my academic and research capabilities by pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer
Science, building on my experience as a lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering.
I aim to specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, and machine learning,
with the goal of contributing to high-quality research, developing innovative solutions
to real-world problems, and mentoring the next generation of computer science professionals.
My long-term objective is to grow as an academic leader committed to excellence in
teaching and research.
Biggest Accomplishment: My first ever publication titled "An ensemble learning approach for chronic kidney
disease prediction using different machine learning algorithms with correlation based
feature selection" in the 2022 25th International Conference on Computer and Information
Technology (ICCIT) that got me both the best paper and the best presentation award.
Dillon Horton
Where are you from?: Alpharetta, Georgia
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To earn my PHD, publish research papers, and pursue a career in Computer Science
research
Biggest Accomplishment: Having my Research paper "A Hardware-in-the-loop Wireless System Design: Benchmarking
NFV Network Services" accepted at CAMAD 2024
Jubayer Hossain
Hometown: Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, BRAC University
Professional Objective: To conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of cybersecurity, blockchain,
and metaverse technologies, aiming to build secure, decentralized digital ecosystems.
I seek to advance both theoretical understanding and practical applications that address
emerging threats and shape the future of trustworthy digital interaction.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is developing a decentralized access control system using
Hyperledger Fabric for my undergraduate thesis. The project addressed key security
flaws in centralized models by redesigning core components using blockchain technology.
This work has been accepted for publication at COMPSAC 2025.
Md Alamin Hossain
Hometown: Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Master’s Degree: Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology
Professional Objective: To become an effective researcher in the field of extended reality.
Biggest Accomplishment: Getting opportunity to study at the department of Computer Science in Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology.
Md Monowar Hossain
Hometown: Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering from Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology,
Bangladesh.
Master’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology,
Bangladesh.
Professional Objective: Building on my existing experience as a faculty member in Bangladesh, I hope to strengthen
my academic and research career by obtaining a PhD in computer science in the United
States. Through high-impact research, creative teaching, and cross-cultural cooperation,
I hope to support the global academic community and eventually promote educational
quality and policy development in both domestic and foreign settings.
Biggest Accomplishment: To serve my nation as a faculty member in a public university in Bangladesh.
Md Mushfique Hossain
Where are you from?: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technology
Professional Objective: To develop advanced expertise in Federated Learning and Machine Learning through impactful research, contributing to the design of secure, privacy-preserving AI systems for real-world deployment.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment so far is publishing one journal and three IEEE conference
papers in the field of machine learning and automation, which reflect my dedication
to research and innovation. In parallel, I became a certified nopCommerce developer
and actively participated in multiple hackathons, demonstrating my ability to bridge
academic knowledge with real-world application and hands-on development.
Huan Huang
Where are you from?: Zhumadian, Henan, China
Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering in Computer Science and Technology in Mobile Software, Zhengzhou University
of Light Industry.
Master’s Degree: Engineering in Computer Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry
Professional Objective: My goal is to pursue a faculty position in a Chinese university, where I can combine teaching and research in computer science and medical image analysis.
Biggest Accomplishment: Published a first-author paper in Medical Physics titled "3D lymphoma segmentation on PET/CT images via multi‐scale information fusion with cross‐attention".
Mohammod Akib Khan
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: I want to contribute to the future of artificial intelligence by building efficient,
practical systems that solve real-life problems. My goal is to develop AI solutions
that perform reliably even with limited data, low computing power, or strong privacy
requirements.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is building a real-time face detection model for a smart
meeting device in Japan. It was designed to detect multiple small faces from a single
frame, even when people are sitting far from the camera. I trained and fine-tuned
the model using data augmentation and label correction, focusing on diverse facial
features, especially for Japanese users. I also optimized it to run on low-power devices.
It was meaningful to see my researc
h used in real-world tech.
Zhiguo Liu
Hometown: Liaoning China
Bachelor’s Degree: Software Engineering from Changchun University of Technology
Master’s Degree: Computer Science from Changchun University of Technology
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become a professor at a university.
Biggest Accomplishment: To have a number of my papers published.
Reuven Müller
Hometown: Pretoria, South Africa
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, University of South Africa
Master’s Degree: Information Technology, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to advance AI and its applications in education, industry,
and other areas by developing systems, algorithms, and techniques that seamlessly
integrate AI into existing workflows. I see AI not as a replacement for people, but
as an augmentation that can accelerate and empower productivity across nearly every
field.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is having my research paper, “Dynamic Knowledge Elicitation: Leveraging Student Feedback for Improved Language Model Distillation,
” accepted for presentation at IJCNN 2025 and publication in the IEEE proceedings.
Abdul Muntakim
Hometown: Moulvibazar, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: Aspiring AI researcher with a focus on NLP, machine learning, and healthcare informatics, aiming to contribute to impactful research and academic excellence.
Biggest Accomplishment: Becoming the first in my family to graduate from a prestigious engineering university and now pursuing a fully funded PhD — breaking barriers and setting new paths for the next generation.
Joseph Natter
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Bachelor’s Degree: Physics, Wesleyan University
Master’s Degree: Computer Science. Eastern Carolina University
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to enhance the scientific community's understanding
of relevant problems that can be addressed through deep learning; to collaborate across
departments and domains in order to make the best predictions we can about the issues
that matter to people and society; to expand access to knowledge, and to mentor the
next generation of scientists.
Masters’s Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To become a professor after graduating.
Biggest Accomplishment: Received a doctoral degree in Economics
Tasnim Akter Onisha
Hometown: Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Master’s Degree: Information Technology, Georgia Southern University, GA, USA
Professional Objective: To push the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through impactful
research, with the long-term goal of shaping the future of technology as an innovator
and educator in academia.
Biggest Accomplishment: Conducting and presenting original research on AI-generated digital deception, highlighted
by my thesis titled 'Artificial Intelligence for Digital Deception: A Study on Detection,
Generation, and Evaluation.' I showcased this work at the 2025 Student Research Symposium
and was honored with the 1st place Gulfstream Award at the 2024 Student Research Symposium
at Georgia Southern University.
Prateek Paudel
Hometown: Baglung, Nepal
Bachelor’s Degree: Electronics, Communication, and Information Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Professional Objective: I want to explore and contribute to the field of quantum networking through my PhD
research. After completing my PhD, I hope to work in academia, continuing research
and helping students grow in this exciting area. I'm interested in building technologies
that make future communication systems faster and more secure.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my proudest achievements so far is presenting my research paper at the 15th
IOE Graduate Conference, which was a big step in my academic journey. Another meaningful
milestone for me is being the first in my family to be accepted into a PhD program
at a reputable University.
Arpita Paul
Hometown: Jhenaidah, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Information Technology, Jahangirnagar University
Professional Objective: To conduct research on AR/VR technology to help it better comprehend and respond
to human emotions, with the ultimate goal of enhancing and expanding access to education.
Biggest Accomplishment: Champion of the Chess T
ournament at Sheikh Hasina Hall, Jahangirnagar University, 2022
Md Irfan Pavel
Hometown: Chittagong, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
(CUET), Bangladesh
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to enhance how people experience Virtual and Augmented Reality by applying Machine Learning and Deep Learning. I aim to make immersive environments more intelligent, adaptive, and user-friendly. By combining AI with XR, I strive to create experiences that feel natural, respond to individual users, and make a meaningful impact in areas like education, healthcare, and training. I’m passionate about building technology that not only looks impressive but truly understands and supports the people who use it.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my proudest accomplishments has been working as a freelance Python and Data
Science mentor, where I had the opportunity to support and guide over 100 individuals
from around the world. Through personalized assistance and project collaboration,
I directly contributed to their academic growth and career development. Knowing that
my work played a meaningful role in helping others succeed and, in many cases, shape
their future paths has been deeply rewarding and continues to inspire my passion for
making a positive impact through technology and education.
Aroni Saha Prapty
Hometown: Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to pursue a research-driven academic career, specializing in human-centered immersive technologies in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (XR). I aim to design intelligent, accessible XR systems that enhance user experience while addressing real-world challenges in healthcare and education. My long-term objective is to continue as an academician and use creative research to create significant, multidisciplinary solutions that will enhance science and education.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my biggest accomplishments is the publication of four peer-reviewed research
papers in the fields of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML).
These include significant contributions such as a study on decision tree establishment
for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome prediction, the development of a rule-based parser for
Bangla grammar pattern detection, and two works focused on the semantic similarity
of Bangla words using various wo
rd embedding techniques.
Amrutvyasa Ramasamy
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science from Georgia State University
Master’s Degree: Computer Science from Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: Industry leader and university professor, educating others in Computer Science.
Biggest Accomplishment: Graduated summa cum
laude from GSU at 19
Priyabrota Sen
Hometown: Khulna, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology
(KUET)
Professional Objective: To pursue advanced research in machine learning and artificial intelligence, contributing
to the development of intelligent systems while working toward a PhD in Computer Science.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my biggest accomplishments is being selected to pursue higher studies abroad.
Additionally, during my professional career at BJIT Ltd. I was honored to be recognized
as the Best Software Engineer of the Year in 2022
Mohammad Naimal Islam Shanto
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Bangladesh
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to advance research and development in Artificial Intelligence,
with a focus on machine learning, explainable AI, and their applications in healthcare,
cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability. I aim to bridge academia and industry
by developing impactful AI solutions that address real-world problems, while contributing
to education, open-source innovation, and global collaboration.
Amirmohammad Naddaf Shargh
Hometown: Mashhad, Iran
Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to apply my background in engineering and research to
develop innovative, technology-driven solutions that enhance the quality of life for
people with disabilities. I aim to lead interdisciplinary projects that bridge academia
and industry, focusing on assistive technologies that support independence in daily
living.
Biggest Accomplishment: During my undergraduate studies, I had the privilege of contributing to the first
clinical implementation of a bionic hand controlled through implanted magnets in the
remaining forearm muscles of a person with a hand amputation in my home country. I
worked as part of a large team of surgeons and engineers, and also closely with two
volunteer patients, assisting them in performing hand gestures for their daily tasks
using the bionic hand. During my graduate studies at Lamar University, my research focused on developing deep learning–based computer vision algorithms to create an assistive tool that supports human operators in weld inspection tasks. This project was conducted in collaboration with a well-known local company in Texas that specializes in this field.
Shiva Shrestha
Hometown: Gandaki, Nepal
Bachelor’s Degree: Electronics, Communication and Information Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Institute
of Engineering, Pashchimanchal Campus
Professional Objective: To continue conducting research at the confluence of embedded systems, artificial
intelligence, and security, focusing on efficient, secure, and scalable AI solution
design for edge and real-world applications, while also continuing mine own development
as a researcher, innovator, and contributor to the field of computer science.
Biggest Accomplishment: During my high school years, I achieved the top ranking in the science department
of my district and graduated at the top of my faculty in my bachelor's degree in Electronics,
Communication, and Information Engineering. I am currently the first person from my
hometown and family to take on a Ph.D., having qualifie
d for the Ph.D. in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University.
Rabia Usman
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
Professional Objective: I want to become a researcher who builds fair and trustworthy AI systems that help
people and solve real-world problems.
Biggest Accomplishment: I worked on a research project to make image recognition models less biased and more
reliable, so they can work better for everyone.
Spring 2026 Cohort 6
Nafisa Anjum
Hometown: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To advance safe, adaptive, and human-centered Extended Reality systems by integrating AI. I aim to develop technologies that improve balance, accessibility, and reliability in immersive environments.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment so far is managing to survive grad school
Sumit Howlader Dipro
Hometown: Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, BRAC University
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become a Computer Scientist through research in edge intelligence, federated learning, IoT and resource-constrained AI systems.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is to get a opportunity to do PhD in Computer Science in Kennesaw State University to fulfill my dream. Being born in a developing country and having a non-ideal research environment with a lack of resources and being unable to provide a robust academic infrastructure didn't stop me to pursue my dream. So, for me securing a fully funded Graduate Research Assistant position for doing PhD in CS at KSU is the biggest accomplishment till now and if my determination continues, I believe many more yet to come.
Dmytro Dobrynin
Hometown: Kyiv, Ukraine
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
Master's Degree: Computer Science, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Professional Objective: Participate and make a publications with profesional research team trying to solve real world questions.
Biggest Accomplishment: Bachelors diploma with Honours. Greate Academic Results. Publication in AMCIS Conference. Working in Industry during Post-Completion OPT.
Jon Eric Frodin
Hometown: Powder Springs, GA
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Southern New Hampshire University
Master's Degree: Software Engineering, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To obtain positions advancing critical technologies for our nation.
Biggest Accomplishment: Graduating with my Master's Degree in Software Engineering.
Nicholas Hodge
Hometown: Brunswick, GA
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Master's Degree: Computer Science, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Professional Objective: I would like to be a successful researcher, and one day payback my knowledge in return
as a Professor.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplish to date was receiving my bachelor's degree, as I am the first of my brothers to receive one.
Sadri Islam
Hometown: Chaittogram, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: To make meaningful contributions to the fields of machine learning and NLP based
human-computer interaction. My long term goal is to become a prominent researcher
and professor in the relevant field.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my biggest accomplishments is presenting my undergrad research work on machine learning based Arrhythmia classification at the 27th IEEE ICCIT 2024. This experience significantly helped me to publish my Deep Learning based work on histopathological images for colon cancer classification at the 7th ICAIIC 2025, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kaveen Thiyanga Jayamana
Hometown: Sri Lanka
Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering, South Dakota State University
Master's Degree: Computer Science - AI, University of Nebraska
Professional Objective: To break into AI systems research.
Biggest Accomplishment: Co-founded Firebay Studios, an ad tech startup, where I built the core product end-to-end and drove growth to six-figure revenue within months of graduating with a master’s degree.
Zularbine Kamal
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, National University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Master's Degree: Software Engineering, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To become a leading academic researcher and educator, committed to conducting pioneering
research that expands the theoretical and applied foundations of technology, thereby
making significant contributions to global innovation.
Biggest Accomplishment: Achieved the Outstanding Student Award in Fall 2024 from the M.S. in Software Engineering program at Kennesaw State University.
Tahsin Tasnia Khan
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology
Professional Objective: To become a great researcher in the Software Engineering field and meet great minds to share and gain knowledge.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is getting the opportunity to pursue higher education at a renowned university in the United States.
S M Fazle Rabby Labib
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Professional Objective: My professional goal is to become the kind of researcher who can spot meaningful problems, turn them into clear research questions, and build methods that hold up under real scrutiny. I want my work to make a contribution that has real value for computer science. I hope to pursue a research-oriented career after my PhD, either in academia or an innovation-focused organization.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment so far has been publishing my research on adversarial attacks
in Scientific Reports. It pushed me to explore the less obvious ways deep neural networks
fail and to create a targeted adversarial manipulation framework that highlighted
those vulnerabilities. I spent weeks testing ideas that did not work before finding
the approach that did, and the process taught me how much I enjoy the messy side of
research. Working with my team and taking the paper from experiments to publication
showed me what a complete research cycle really looks like. More than anything, it
confirmed that I want to build my career around research and that pursuing a PhD is
the right next step for me.
Md Ashiqur Rahman
Hometown: Tangail, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
(CUET)
Professional Objective: To pursue impactful doctoral research in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University,
focusing on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and XR-driven healthcare applications,
with the goal of developing scalable, interpretable, and human-centered computational
solutions that advance both theory and real-world practice.
Biggest Accomplishment: My most significant accomplishment is earning admission to the PhD program in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University, which was supported by competitive graduate research funding, reflecting my contributions to research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and healthcare-focused computational modelling.
Kazi Shaharair Sharif
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Oklahoma State University
Master’s Degree: Computer Science, University of South Dakota
Professional Objective: To secure a research-oriented role that leverages my expertise in AI, deep learning,
explainable AI, and medical imaging, while contributing to high-impact research publications,
developing trustworthy machine learning systems, and advancing toward a future in
academia and innovation.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is leading research across medical imaging, genomics, and explainable AI while mentoring other students. Supporting their learning, improving experiments together, and contributing to collaborative projects has taught me the value of teamwork, patience, and research ethics. Creating both technical impact and positive influence on others is what I’m most proud of.
Kushal Subedi
Hometown: Nawalpur, Nepal
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Tribhuvan University
Professional Objective: To research in the field of distributed machine learning and its application in software
engineering.
Biggest Accomplishment: Successfully develop Reinforcement Learning Model in a card game called "29" and won first prize among thousands of competitors. I also successfully developed inpainting model from scratch working on top of NVIDIA paper on image inpainting.
Fall 2026 Cohort 7
Manoj Adhikari
Md Aiyubali
Hasmot Ali
Hometown: Chuadanga, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Daffodil International University
Professional Objective: To advance the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning by developing
innovative, reliable, and scalable intelligent systems. My goal is to contribute to
cutting-edge research in human sensing, multimodal learning, and deep learning while
applying these technologies to solve real-world challenges and create meaningful societal
impact.
Biggest Accomplishment: I consider my biggest accomplishment to be combining academic research with professional
impact. I have published multiple peer-reviewed AI papers, mentored research assistants,
and developed scalable machine learning solutions for real-world applications.
Md Yeasin Ali
Nurshat Fateh Ali
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering at Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST)
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become a leading innovator at the intersection of
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), creating human-centered
technologies that make intelligent systems more useful, accessible, and impactful.
I aspire to bridge emerging AI capabilities with real-world user needs, translating
technological advancements into solutions that deliver meaningful value at scale.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date has been translating advanced technology into real-world
impact. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have focused on turning
innovative ideas into practical solutions that create meaningful value for users.
This commitment is reflected in three key milestones: successfully onboarding my smart
health app to the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, mentoring students worldwide
as a Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, and leading the development of multiple
AI-powered products as a Product Owner at a US startup. Together, these experiences
have enabled me to combine technical innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship
to deliver solutions that make a tangible difference.
Shupta Das
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science & Engineering at Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST)
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become a leading innovator at the intersection of
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), creating human-centered
technologies that make intelligent systems more useful, accessible, and impactful.
I aspire to bridge emerging AI capabilities with real-world user needs, translating
technological advancements into solutions that deliver meaningful value at scale.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date has been translating advanced technology into real-world
impact. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have focused on turning
innovative ideas into practical solutions that create meaningful value for users.
This commitment is reflected in three key milestones: successfully onboarding my smart
health app to the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, mentoring students worldwide
as a Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, and leading the development of multiple
AI-powered products as a Product Owner at a US startup. Together, these experiences
have enabled me to combine technical innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship
to deliver solutions that make a tangible difference..
Pranti Debnath
Tran Quang Long Doan
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Associate's Degree: Software Development, Broward College
Professional Objective: To research in the field of distributed machine learning and its application in software
engineering.
Biggest Accomplishment: I fininshed my bachelor's in less than two years.
Amanuel Tafese Dufera
KM Ferdous
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh
Master's Degree: Computer Science (CS), Kennesaw State University (KSU), USA.
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to pursue research in efficient deep learning and explainable
artificial intelligence. I aim to bridge the gap between high-performing neural network
models and interpretable AI solutions for real-world environments.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date is receiving the Distinguished Paper Award at MSR
2026 for my research on human and agentic coding practices. This achievement is meaningful
because it reflects my growth as a researcher and my ability to contribute to the
research community.
Alongside this academic achievement, I bring more than 10 years of professional software
engineering experience across FinTech, government, and telecom domains. This accomplishment
represents my transition from industry practice to impactful research and has strengthened
my motivation to pursue doctoral research in trustworthy and explainable AI.
Redonaul Haque
Hometown: Kurigram/Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: My goal is to advance research in Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing,
and Machine Learning for healthcare applications while building a career as a researcher
and university faculty member. I hope to develop innovative AI solutions that address
real-world healthcare challenges and contribute to both academia and industry.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment has been successfully conducting research in AI for healthcare
while serving as a university faculty member. I developed deep learning and NLP models
for clinical decision support using electronic health records, completed my MSc thesis
in this area, and contributed to research publications. These experiences strengthened
both my technical and research skills and ultimately led to my admission to a fully
funded PhD program, where I hope to expand this work.
Md Mehrab Hossain
Hometown: Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: M.Sc. in Information and Communication Technology (Data Analytics) – University of Turku, Finland
B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) – Sylhet Engineering College, Bangladesh
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to pursue a research career in artificial intelligence
and machine learning, with a focus on Human Centric AI, medical AI, and explainable
models. I aim to develop innovative AI methods that address real-world healthcare
challenges while contributing to impactful research, interdisciplinary collaboration
and the advancement of the scientific community.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment has been transforming my curiosity into a research career.
Every stage of my journey from completing my undergraduate studies in Bangladesh to
pursuing a master's degree in Finland, contributing to research projects and earning
admission to a Ph.D. program has been driven by a desire to keep learning and taking
on bigger challenges. What I value most is not a single milestone but the mindset
of continuously pushing myself to grow as a researcher.
Faruk Hossen
Mohamed Igamane
Hometown: Sale, Morocco
Bachelor’s Degree: B.Sc. in Computer Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
(NJUPT), China
Professional Objective: My long term goal is to become an AI researcher while also building AI products that
can make a real impact. I want to use my PhD to strengthen my understanding of machine
learning and artificial intelligence, contribute meaningful research, and learn from
others in the field. In the future, I hope to turn that research into practical AI
solutions that solve real world problems and make advanced technology more useful
and accessible.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my biggest accomplishments so far has been publishing my first AI research
paper. It focused on building an AI voice sales agent for customer engagement, combining
machine learning and modern AI techniques to solve a real business problem. Seeing
the project go from an idea to a published paper was very rewarding and gave me my
first real experience with academic research. It also confirmed that pursuing a PhD
is the right path for me because I enjoy both building AI systems and contributing
new ideas through research.
Fahim Ahmed Irfan
Hometown: Khulna, Bangladesh
B. Sc (Engg.): Computer Science and Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,
Bangladesh.
Master's Degree: MS in Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA
Professional Objective: My objective is to do impactful research in efficient and trustworthy artificial
intelligence for resource-constrained edge systems.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date has been receiving the Best Paper Award for my
research on parameter-efficient multi-head neural networks for edge AI during my master's
at Kennesaw State University. Also, I have been working as a Graduate Research Assistant
throughout my master's at KSU.
Redwanul Islam Arif
Hometown: Moulvibazar, Bangladesh
Bachelor's: B. Sc Computer Science and Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,
Bangladesh.
Masters Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: My objective is to do impactful research in efficient and trustworthy artificial
intelligence for resource-constrained edge systems.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date has been receiving the Best Paper Award for my
research on parameter-efficient multi-head neural networks for edge AI during my master's
at Kennesaw State University. Also, I have been working as a Graduate Research Assistant
throughout my master's at KSU.
Arnab Paul Joy
Hometown: Moulvibazar, Bangladesh
Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science, University of Dhaka
Professional Objective: Solve challenges regarding the deployment of LLMs on resource constrained devices.
Biggest Accomplishment: Worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Samsung R&D Institute Bangladesh for over
4 years.
Deepthi Kondreddy
Hometown: Tirupati/India
Bachelor's Degree: Technology in Computer Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Master's Degree: Artificial Intelligance, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: I want to attain the highest degree as its my dream and work effectively in Industry and finally settling in academia as I'm very much interested in Research and Teaching.
Biggest Accomplishment: Every Small achievements made me big today as i grow i would like to compete everywhere
and today getting into the PHD is my biggest accomplishment i would way and looking
forward to complete it at the fullest.
Yifan Liu
Hometown: Bangladesh
Bachelor’s Degree: Computer and Information Science, The Ohio State University
Professional Objective: My goal is to pursue an academic career focused on teaching and mentoring the next
generation of computer scientists.
Biggest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is the foundation I built during my undergraduate years:
a 4.0 GPA alongside extensive experience as both teaching and research assistants.
The academic record reflects my commitment to mastering my field, while my TA and
RA roles gave me early, hands-on experience in the teaching, mentoring, and research
that I hope to dedicate my career to.
Fardin Zubair Nafis
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bachelor's Degree: BSc in Computer Science, BRAC University
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to become an impactful researcher and academic in Computer
Science, with a focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and intelligent
systems. Through the PhD program at Kennesaw State University, I aim to strengthen
my research skills, contribute to high-quality publications, collaborate with faculty
and peers, and develop practical AI-driven solutions that can create meaningful real-world
impact.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date is building a strong academic and professional
foundation in Computer Science while balancing teaching, research, and industry-related
work. I completed my B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering from BRAC University
with a strong academic record and later joined BRAC University as a Lecturer, where
I taught core CSE courses and supervised student research groups. Receiving admission
to the PhD program in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University is also a major
milestone, as it reflects my continued commitment to research, academic growth, and
contributing to the computing field internationally.
Shafiul Ajam Opee
Ashish Pondit
Awan-ur Rahman
Avyuktkrishna Ramasamy
Hometoewn: Atlanta, Ga
Associates Degree: Computer Science, Georgia Perimeter College
Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science, Georgia State University
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Georgia State University
Professional Objective: Computer Science researcher, entrepreneur, inventor
Biggest Accomplishment: Earning my first Computer Science degree at the age of 16
Faijah Rashid
Henry Flores Rondon
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Associate's Degree: Tele Informatics, Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira (UNET)
Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Laws | Universidad Católica del Táchira (UCAT)
Master's Degree: Crime & Crime Specialist | Instituto Universitario de la Policía Científica (IUPOLC), Venezuela 2011 – 2014
Bachlor's Degree: Computer Engineering, Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira (UNET),
Master's Degree: Information Technology, Kennesaw State University
Professional Objective: To pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science to deepen my expertise in AI, machine learning,
and healthcare technologies, preparing for a career in advanced academic research
and technical leadership
Biggest Accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment to date is transitioning from a successful legal and academic career in Venezuela to becoming an award-winning AI researcher in the U.S. within a brief period. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA in my Master’s program, I spearheaded data engineering and machine learning pipelines for non-invasive health monitoring devices, which earned the Best Poster Award at the prestigious IEEE-EMBS BHI 2025 international conference.
Md Rezwane Sadik
Silvia Sanjana
Christopher Sefcik
Askfak Md Shibli
Hometown: Barguna, Bangladesh
Bachlor's Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering
and Technology.
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Tennessee Technological University, Tennessee,
USA.
Professional Objective: I want to build Cybersecurity and AI systems that hold up in research and hold up
in practice. That means digging into hard problems when they need real investigation,
and shipping working systems when they need to exist in the world. Either way, I want
to end up leading the people doing that work.
Biggest Accomplishment: Obtaining MS and a best paper award during my MS.
Md Anowarul Faruk Shishir
Hometown: Chandpur, Bangladesh
Bachelor's Degree: BS c Electronics and Communication Engineering, Khulna University of engineering
and Technology
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to advance the field of Extended Reality (XR) through
robust research on immersive technologies and their applications in healthcare and
human-computer interaction. I aspire to contribute high-quality research, develop
practical XR solutions, and build a career in academia as a researcher and educator.
Biggest Accomplishment: One of my biggest accomplishments has been serving as a lecturer after completing
my bachelor's degree. It gave me the opportunity to teach and mentor undergraduate
computer science students in my country and contribute to their academic growth. This
experience strengthened my passion for higher education and inspired me to pursue
doctoral research in Extended Reality (XR). My goal is to contribute meaningful research
to the field and use it to improve education and benefit society.
Srinivasan Subramanian
Hometown: Chennai/India
Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Engineering - Electronics and Communication Engineering, Anna University,
Chennai.
Master's Degree: Computer Science, Kennesaw State University, Marietta.
Professional Objective: To apply my experience in software engineering, cloud modernization, distributed
systems, and AI/ML to build scalable, secure, and intelligent technology solutions.
I aim to combine my industry experience as a Technical Lead with my academic research
in federated learning, privacy-preserving AI, and large language models to contribute
to practical, research-driven innovation.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date is balancing a demanding full-time technical leadership
role while steadily building a research foundation in artificial intelligence and
machine learning.
Professionally, I have grown into a Technical Lead with over 12 years of experience
across cloud modernization, enterprise integrations, distributed systems, APIs, and
data pipelines. At the same time, I have continued my graduate studies and contributed
to research in federated learning, privacy-preserving AI, and trustworthy machine
learning.
This accomplishment is meaningful to me because it reflects consistent effort in both
my professional career and my academic journey.
Masroor Ul Hasan Syed
Hometown: India
Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Engineering, Muffakham Jah College of Engineering & Technology (MJCET)
Master's Degree: Computer Science, University of Texas - Tyler
Professional Objective:
Biggest Accomplishment:
One of my biggest accomplishments to date was working with my team to win First Prize
at the HackRevolution Hackathon. Competing against talented participants, we successfully
designed and developed an innovative solution within a limited timeframe, overcoming
technical and strategic challenges through effective teamwork and problem-solving.
This achievement was particularly meaningful because it demonstrated my ability to
collaborate under pressure, think creatively, and contribute to building impactful
solutions. Working closely with my teammates strengthened my technical, communication,
and leadership skills while reinforcing the importance of innovation and continuous
learning.
Winning the hackathon not only validated our hard work and dedication but also inspired
me to keep pursuing opportunities where I can solve real-world problems through technology
and make a meaningful impact.
Enam Ahmed Taufik
Hometown: Gaibandha, Bangladesh
Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science and Engineering, BRAC Univeristy
Professional Objective: My professional objective is to advance the development of trustworthy, clinically
reliable AI methods in computational biology. Through my Ph.D. at KSU, I aim to develop
scalable computational frameworks that integrate multimodal biological data to understand
cellular heterogeneity and lineage development better. By combining expertise in computer
vision, machine learning, and data integration, I hope to contribute innovative computational
tools that enable meaningful biological discoveries and support precision medicine.
In the long term, I aspire to build an independent research career in computational
biology, mentor future researchers, and contribute to impactful interdisciplinary
collaborations.
Biggest Accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment to date has been establishing a strong research foundation
that has prepared me for interdisciplinary doctoral research. Throughout my undergraduate
studies and early academic career, I balanced research, teaching, and mentorship while
contributing to multiple peer-reviewed publications. These experiences strengthened
my ability to develop AI-driven solutions for real-world problems and ultimately led
to my admission to the Ph.D. program. I consider this achievement especially meaningful
because it reflects years of consistent effort and continuous learning.
Dheeraj Sai Tukkugudam
Abdoulla Mohamed Elsayed Mohamed Yousef
Ruoqi Zhang
Reach Out
We would love to hear from you or answer any questions that you might have!
Abhishek Parakh
Director of the Computer Science Ph.D. Program and Professor of Computer Science
