by Eric D. Lehman, Associate Professor, Communications Specialist, and Julie Demers, Faculty Research Day Coordinator
越南直播 Ph.D. graduate 聽is now a research scientist in the Quantum Communications and Networking Group at the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚
At UB, Alshowkan earned his doctoral degree in Computer Science and Engineering, and at graduation he was recognized with the prestigious School of Engineering Academic Achievement Award for excellence. 鈥淚 came to know Muneer when he was a Ph.D. student and I was his dissertation advisor for five years,鈥� says Dr. Khaled Elleithy, Dean of the College of Engineering, Business, and Education and Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research. 鈥淗e is energetic and bright, one of those graduate assistants who is open and receptive to new ideas.鈥�
Since it was established in 2006, UB鈥檚 Ph.D. program in Computer Science and Engineering has graduated 75 students. Students must display a thorough understanding in the major areas of computer science and engineering and must master the necessary tools and techniques to be able to make original contributions to the field.
One of the newest and most interesting topics to study is quantum computing and cybersecurity. When Dr. Elleithy offered a 600-level Quantum Computing course, it was an emerging discipline. Alshowkan took the class during his second semester and jumped at the chance to focus his ongoing research in this exciting discipline. 鈥淚 like challenges, and this seemed to be a really challenging field,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 also wanted to work in cybersecurity, and quantum added a layer of security that cannot be broken.鈥�
As a Ph.D. student, Alshowkan worked in UB鈥檚 Wireless and Mobile Communications Laboratory and collaborated with Dr. Elleithy on several research papers in high-impact journals and conferences, including IEEE and ACM. He presented one paper at an important conference in Long Beach, California. 鈥淚t added to my credentials and helped with my career,鈥� he says with enthusiasm. His dissertation, 鈥淒eterministic and Efficient Three-Party Quantum Key Distribution,鈥� demonstrates a key distribution protocol and provides a window into the future of computing.
Today, Alshowkan is one of many UB Ph.D. graduates who work at national and international universities, for industry leading companies, and in national research laboratories. UB鈥檚 focus on practical, hands-on research is one reason for their success. 鈥淓veryone at UB is doing research, even in the early stages when there is no pressure to publish yet. We were encouraged to research and publish as much as possible.鈥�
In his job at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Alshowkan designs, implements, deploys, and secures quantum and classical networks for the nation鈥檚 largest science and energy national laboratory. He continues to address new engineering challenges as quantum networks become the wave of the future. 鈥淭he field is growing and there are many opportunities for jobs,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 would encourage anyone to follow their dreams and pursue engineering at UB.鈥�
Learn more about UB鈥檚 College of Engineering, Business, and Education.
Eric D.聽Lehman聽is the director of publications and associate professor of English at 越南直播. He is the author or editor of 22 books, including “New England Nature, A History of Connecticut Food,” and “Bridgeport: Tales from the Park City.” His聽biography of Charles Stratton, “Becoming Tom Thumb,” won the Henry Russell Hitchcock Award from the Victorian Society of America and was chosen as one of the American Library Association’s outstanding university press books of the year. His novella “Shadows of Paris” and novel “9 Lupine Road” were finalists for the Connecticut Book Award. He has been consulted on diverse subjects and quoted by The Atlantic Monthly, USA Today, the BBC, the History Channel, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, and The Wall Street Journal.