Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a focus on Computer Vision (CV), Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI), Virtual Reality (VR), Cybersecurity, and Biometrics.

15 years of experience in designing AI algorithms, including pattern recognition, deep learning, and information fusion techniques to enhance security. I served as the Lead Principal Investigator (PI) for grants provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF). I am an Inventor with a patent for biometric-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) technologies. Recipient of the Mason Innovation Awards (2023, 2025) and Best Paper Award at IAPR CVIP 2020.

Academic Appointments

• 2025–Present: Senior Research Scientist, Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University

• 2024–2025: Faculty Affiliate, Department of Computer Science, George Mason University

• 2023–2025: Public–Private Partnership Faculty Fellow, Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA), George Mason University

• 2017–2025: Assistant Professor, Department of Information Sciences and Technology, George Mason University

• 2015–2017: Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Supervisor: Prof. Bojan Cukic)

• 2015–2017: Adjunct Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• 2013–2014: Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University  (Supervisor: Prof. Bojan Cukic)

• 2011–2012: Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University  (iProbe Lab, Supervisor: Prof. Arun Ross)

Education

• 2007–2010: PhD, Computer and Automation Engineering, University of Naples Federico II (Advisor: Prof. Carlo Sansone)

• 2000-2006: Five-Years degree (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), Computer Engineering, University of Naples Federico II (Master’s Thesis in Artificial Intelligence, Advisor: Prof. Carlo Sansone)

Visiting Positions

• 2024 (July): Visiting Faculty, Department of Computer Science, New York University 

• 2012 (Dec.): Visiting Scholar, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University (Prof. Anil K. Jain Lab)

• 2010 (Aug.): Visiting Scholar, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clarkson University  (Advisor: Prof. Stephanie Schuckers)

• 2009-2010: Visiting Scholar, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University  (Advisor: Prof. Arun Ross)