Han Zhang | Network Security | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Mr. Han Zhang | Network Security | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Tsinghua University, China

Author Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

Summary

Dr. Han Zhang is a Special Research Fellow and Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute for Network Sciences and Cyberspace, Tsinghua University. With a strong foundation in computer science and network security, he has cultivated a career that bridges advanced research and practical innovation in cyberspace governance and network science. His work spans interdisciplinary domains, driving impactful contributions in cybersecurity education and system-level network research. Committed to academic excellence and talent cultivation, Dr. Zhang is recognized for his mentorship and pioneering teaching reforms. He also actively leads collaborative international research, maintaining a strong presence in the global academic community.

Educational Background

Dr. Han Zhang earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology from Tsinghua University (2013.09–2018.07), under the supervision of Professor Xia Yin. During his doctoral studies, he was a visiting scholar at George Washington University (2016.10–2017.09), working with Prof. Lan Tian in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Technology from Jilin University (2009.08–2013.06). His academic training reflects a solid grounding in both theoretical and applied aspects of computer science, forming the basis for his later work in network security and systems research.

Professional Experience

Dr. Zhang has served as a Special Research Fellow and Ph.D. advisor at the Institute for Network Sciences and Cyberspace, Tsinghua University. He was an Assistant Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the School of Cybersecurity, Beihang University. He has also led courses and supervised graduate research in programming and network security. His roles have consistently involved curriculum reform, student mentoring, and interdisciplinary research collaboration. Dr. Zhang’s academic positions reflect his commitment to both foundational research and the cultivation of next-generation cybersecurity professionals.

Research Interests

Dr. Zhang’s research interests encompass network science, cyberspace governance, system security, and cybersecurity education. His work integrates data-driven methodologies with system design to explore trust, resilience, and efficiency in networked systems. He is particularly focused on enhancing the security of critical infrastructure through intelligent algorithms and robust frameworks. Additionally, he investigates educational strategies for cultivating application-oriented cybersecurity talent. His interdisciplinary perspective positions him at the intersection of theoretical innovation and practical deployment, contributing to the strategic evolution of secure and sustainable digital ecosystems.

Author Metrics

Dr. Han Zhang has published extensively in high-impact journals and conferences in the fields of computer science and network security. He has co-authored significant teaching reform papers, including in Industrial and Information Technology Education, where he explored curriculum innovation and cybersecurity talent development. His academic work is accessible via NetSys Lab, and he has garnered increasing citations for both technical and pedagogical contributions. His collaborative and first-author papers reflect a balanced academic profile, with a growing international scholarly influence in cybersecurity education and network systems research.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Zhang has received multiple accolades for excellence in research, teaching, and innovation. As a Party member, he actively engages in academic leadership and mentorship, contributing to institutional and national education reforms. His teaching reform initiatives have been recognized for their practical impact on developing high-caliber cybersecurity professionals. He has also led and participated in funded projects focused on network security and educational development. These honors reflect his sustained contributions to the advancement of both science and pedagogy in China’s evolving digital landscape.

Publication Top Notes

1. Centralized Network Utility Maximization with Accelerated Gradient Method

Authors: Y. Tian, Z. Wang, X. Yin, X. Shi, J. Yang, H. Zhang
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Networking
Year: 2025 (Forthcoming/Published)
Details: This paper presents a centralized algorithm using an accelerated gradient method for efficient network utility maximization, achieving faster convergence and scalable optimization for large-scale networks.

2. ACME++: A Secure Authorization Mechanism for ACME Clients in the Web PKI Ecosystem

Authors: T. Zhang, H. Zhang, Y. Wei, Y. Li, X. Shi, J. Wang, X. Yin
Conference: Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference (WWW)
Pages: 1058–1067
Year: 2025
Abstract: ACME++ strengthens the ACME protocol by introducing a novel, secure client authorization method within the Web PKI system, improving defense against client impersonation and replay attacks.

3. Poster: Scalable and Interpretable Multilayer Overlay Network Checking via Ensemble Verification

Authors: X. Liu, Y. Li, H. Zhang, X. Yin, X. Shi, Z. Wang, G. Ren, J. Yao
Conference: ACM SIGCOMM 2024 – Posters and Demos Track
Pages: 22–24
Year: 2024
Publisher: ACM
Description: This poster introduces an ensemble-based verification tool enabling scalable analysis and interpretability for multilayer overlay networks used in complex infrastructure setups.

4. Cost-efficient Flow Migration for SFC Dynamical Scheduling in Geo-distributed Clouds

Authors: W. Chen, Z. Wang, H. Zhang, X. Yin, X. Shi
Journal: Computer Networks
Volume: 249
Article Number: 110496
Year: 2024
Publisher: Elsevier
Abstract: This study introduces a dynamic, cost-optimized scheduling algorithm for service function chaining (SFC) across geographically distributed cloud environments, addressing performance and resource constraints.

5. ROV-GD: Improving the Measurement of ROV Deployment Using Graph Difference

Authors: J. He, Y. Li, H. Zhang, C. An, J. Wang
Conference: 2024 IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications (ISCC)
Pages: 1–7
Year: 2024
Publisher: IEEE
Abstract: ROV-GD leverages graph-difference metrics to refine the measurement accuracy of Route Origin Validation (ROV) deployments, improving BGP routing security assessment.

Conclusion

Dr. Han Zhang exemplifies a modern cybersecurity researcher with a well-rounded profile in theoretical innovation, practical systems research, interdisciplinary integration, and educational reform. His affiliation with Tsinghua University, impactful publications in IEEE and ACM, and his leadership in cybersecurity education firmly establish him as a highly deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award in Network Security.

Fawaz Annaz- High Integrity Systems – Best Researcher Award

Published on by Network Science

Fawaz Annaz- High Integrity Systems

Dr. Fawaz Annaz  distinguished academic and researcher in the field High Integrity System. He is an accomplished Associate Professor in Mechatronics, boasting an impressive 26-year career marked by international acclaim in teaching, research, and curriculum development. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he possesses exemplary skills in teaching and learning. His fervor lies in instructing electrical, electronics, and mechatronics engineering, engaging students and collaborating with diverse staff backgrounds. A Chartered Engineer, he is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for multidisciplinary engineering challenges. His expertise extends to the design and development of Smart Electromechanical Actuators in High Integrity Systems, a New Breed of Industrial Robots (with a secured European Patent), and Novel Drive Technology (also with a secured European Patent). With a proven international research record, he has successfully secured approximately 1.414 million in funding. Notably, he holds a European patent in robotics and has a pending US patent application. A polyglot, he effectively communicates ideas and conclusions to both specialists and non-specialists alike.

Professional Profiles:

Education

He earned in September 1996 from Queen Mary University of London. His research focused on the architecture design of smart electromechanical actuators, with a particular emphasis on their application in high-integrity multi-lane systems. The work made substantial contributions to the development of All-Electric Aircraft, leading to numerous international peer-reviewed publications. Currently, he continues to explore additional actuator architectures and investigates the impact of drift in transducer readings on system response. His innovative concepts have transcended aviation, resulting in a European patent for a new breed of industrial robots, registered in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland.

He earned a Master of Science in November 1989 from the University of East London, specializing in the engineering of dynamic systems. His thesis delved into the mathematical modeling and digital simulation of helical induction motors, along with the application of sliding mode control for position and torque control. This research laid the groundwork for advancements in planar actuators, crucial for a reaction-sphere system designed to replace gyroscopes in satellites. His findings have not only resulted in peer-reviewed publications but have also formed the basis for joint research collaborations with British Aerospace. These collaborations extend to diverse applications, including electric vehicles, high-speed trains, and boring machines.

 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Throughout his tenure at Birmingham City University (BCU), He has been a driving force in advancing research and enterprise activities, particularly in the field of mechatronics. As evidenced by his proactive approach, he has consistently taken the lead in coordinating research initiatives and encouraging collaborative efforts, both in research and Ph.D. proposal submissions. Dr. [Your Name] has played a pivotal role in securing funding for various internal projects at BCU. Notably, his involvement in 14 internal applications has resulted in five successful endeavors, such as the CEBE Dean’s Ph.D. Scholarships for 2023-24 and the University Alliance Marie Sklodowska-Curie Cofund Consortium in 2021.

In addition to his success in internal applications, He has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing research infrastructure by leading efforts to acquire state-of-the-art equipment. His leadership in coordinating applications for research equipment, totaling £345,821, has contributed to elevating the quality of research in mechatronics, dynamics, and control. Notably, one successful application for a Swarm UAV Platform secured £4,421, showcasing his dedication to facilitating cutting-edge research tools that benefit both teaching and research activities.

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI BRUNEI

• Led joint research in mechatronics and robotics with the MoD, Royal Police, Shell, and other
local farming industries.
• Benefits and major applications included local crop enhancement, oil rigs monitoring; and Joint
grant application to develop UAV platforms to monitor boarders and oilrigs

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (MALAYSIA CAMPUS)
• Investigated smart electromechanical actuators in High Integrity Systems
• Initiated the hardware-virtual-environment concept to monitor and navigate two and three
(omni driven) wheeled robots.
• Supervised several MSc students, 2 PhDs (one to completions) and one MPhil. PhD Topics
included:
⁓ Novel generation of industrial robots (resulted in EU patent).
⁓ Distinct mathematical signatures for speech (completed a US Patent).
• Investigated (with Senri Kinran University _Japan) the impact of mechatronics on the Japanese
aging population in homes for the elderly, particularly those with special physical needs.
FUKUI UNIVERSITY (FUKUI, JAPAN)
• Established the ‘High-Integrity Systems’ (HIS) laboratory, where I Hosted Japanese and
international undergraduate & postgraduate students to investigate architectures consolidation
in HIS, and application of vibration control to multi-hinged and chained system

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY (TSUKUBA, JAPAN)
Conducted research on:
• Vibration Control (VC) to multi-hinged and mass-spring (linear/rotary) chained systems.
• Active magnetic bearing systems in applications that required long shafts.
• Artificial heart development, focus on efficiency improvement and Impeller stability analysis.
SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC
• Smart Electromechanical Actuators (SEMA): Continued investigating architecture
consolidation in SEMAs for the All-Electric Aircraft
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Propulsion System Development: I was an active member of the team
that delivered the first EV in Singapore 1996/7, and because of my experience in Brushless dc
motor (utilised in the design of the smart electromechanical actuation systems, PhD research)
my role was mainly related to the EV’s propulsion system development.
QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (UK)
o PhD Research: Design of multi-Lane smart actuators for the all-electric aircraft
o Post MSc: Modelling and simulation of sliding mode of helical and planar actuators

PUBLICATIONS