RAHUL SIMHADepartment of Computer Science

The George Washington UniversityWashington, DC 20052

simha@gwu.edu202-994-7181

Research Areas: Computer Systems, Complexity, Biomolecular Networks

2GW 2006

Motivation: Computer Security

What hackers do: Code understanding: to duplicate, steal ideas, prepare

attacks Code tampering: to circumvent checks, cause attacks Others: data tampering, authorization attacks, buffer-

overflowI can

understand the code

Now I can modify the

code

3GW 2006

Software Security/Protection

Computer security research Crypto, protocols, policy, intrusion detection Related areas: data mining, signal processing,

networking …

Our approach: How can compilers be used to protect software? Exploit reconfigurable (FPGA) hardware Tools to manage security/performance tradeoff. Collaboration with: Bhagi Narahari (CS)

Secure compiler

Source code

Secure executable

4GW 2006

Biomolecular Networks

Hypoxia network 23 molecules (e.g., HIF, PH, VHL) Unusual effect: sharp response to oxygen Our goal: explain using

mathematical (ODE) models

Boolean network models: Gene-regulation network Explore fundamental properties

Collaboration with: Frank Turano (Bio), Chen Zeng (Physics)

5GW 2006

Other research interests

Complex Systems Phase transitions in complex systems How and why does complexity arise?

Embedded Systems Sensor networks, databases Energy consumption (low power applications)

Smart-home medical applications Patient monitoring Robotics for in-home care