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UD Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence names new research director

The University of Dayton Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence has named Zhongmei Yao, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, to a three-year appointment as director of research beginning Aug. 16. She succeeds Rusty Baldwin, who retired in May.

“We’re blessed to have a faculty member of Dr. Yao’s caliber available and willing to take on this role,” said outgoing center director David Salisbury. “She brings a great deal of enthusiasm and knowledge to this work and we look forward to the center reaching new heights under her research leadership.”

As research director, Yao will focus on developing, facilitating and sustaining high-impact applied cybersecurity research in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment. A key component of her work will be enhancing the Center’s contributions as a regional programming center for the Ohio Cyber Range Institute and championing the collaborative research, service and educational initiatives sponsored and supported by the institute to advance the work and reputation of the Center.

“The center has developed an impressive statewide reputation in applied cybersecurity research and Dr. Yao brings great energy and talent to furthering this important work,” said Tom Skill, associate provost and CIO and the center’s acting director for the upcoming academic year. “I'm very much looking forward to supporting her efforts."

Yao received her doctorate in computer science from Texas A&M University. She joined the University in 2009 and has been a computer science faculty member for 13 years. 

“The Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence is an important hub for multidisciplinary research and collaboration across departments and units on campus and in the Dayton region,” Yao said. “I’m passionate about merging data intelligence with cybersecurity to address practical challenges faced by academia, industry and society and look forward to contributing to the center’s ongoing work in this capacity.”

For more information, visit the Department of Computer Science web site.

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