About

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Old Dominion University (ODU). My research interests focus on Cybersecurity, privacy-preserved AI, and secure AI systems. I earned a B.S. in Computer Science & Engineering from Lanzhou University, China, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from ODU.

My work has been recognized with awards such as the Mark Weiser Best Paper Award (IEEE PERCOM 2018), the Best In-session Presentation Award (IEEE INFOCOM 2019), and the NSF CRII Award in 2022.

Publications

  1. L. Zhu, R. Ning, J. Li, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "SEER: Backdoor Detection for Vision-Language Models through Searching Target Text and Image Trigger Jointly", in AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), 2024. (Acceptance ratio: 23.75%).
  2. X. Xu, Q. Zhang, R. Ning, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "SPOT: Structure Patching and Overlap Tweaking for Effective Pipelining in Privacy-Preserving MLaaS with Tiny Clients", in IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS), 2024.
  3. Y. Cai, Q. Zhang, R. Ning, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "MOSAIC: A Prune-and-Assemble Approach for Efficient Model Pruning in Privacy-Preserving Deep Learning", in ACM ASIA Conference on Computer and Communications Security (ASIACCS), 2024. (Acceptance ratio: 21%).
  4. R. Ning, C. Wang, X. Li, R. Gazda, and H. Wu, "BlockFed: A High-Performance and Trustworthy Blockchain-Based Federated Learning Framework", in IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), 2023.
  5. Q. Liu, H. Shen, T. Sen, and R. Ning, "Time-Series Misalignment Aware DNN Adversarial Attacks for Connected Autonomous Vehicles", in IEEE International Conference on Mobile Ad Hoc and Smart Systems (MASS), 2023.
  6. R. Ning, J. Li, C. Xin, C. Wang, X. Li, J. Cho, and H. Wu, "ScanFed: Scalable and Plug‑and‑Play Backdoor Detection in Federated Learning", in IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS), 2023. (Acceptance ratio: 18.9%).
  7. L. Zhu, R. Ning, J. Li, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "Most and Least Retrievable Images in Visual-Language Query Systems", in European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV), 2022.
  8. R. Ning, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "TrojanFlow: A Neural Backdoor Attack to Deep Learning-based Network Traffic Classifiers", in IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM), 2022. (Acceptance ratio: 19.9%, Fast track to IEEE ToN).
  9. R. Ning, J. Li, C. Xin, C. Wang, and H. Wu, "Hibernated Backdoor: A Mutual Information Empowered Backdoor Attack to Deep Neural Networks", in AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), 2022. (Acceptance ratio: 15%, Oral Presentation: 4.7%)
  10. Y. Cai, Q. Zhang, R. Ning, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "Hunter: HE-Friendly Structured Pruning for Efficient Privacy-Preserving Deep Learning", in ACM ASIA Conference on Computer and Communications Security (AsiaCCS), 2022. (Acceptance ratio: 18.4%).
  11. H. Ali, M. Ameedi, R. Ning, J. Li, H. Wu, and J. Cho, "ACADIA: Efficient and Robust Adversarial Attacks Against Deep Reinforcement Learning", in IEEE Conference on Communications and Network Security (CNS), 2022.
  12. L. Zhu, R. Ning, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "CLEAR: Clean-up Trigger-Free Backdoor in Neural Networks", in IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV), 2021.
  13. R. Ning, J. Li, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "Invisible Poison: A Blackbox Clean Label Backdoor Attack to Deep Neural Networks", in IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM), 2021. (Acceptance ratio: 19.9%).
  14. L. Zhu, R. Ning, C. Wang, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "GangSweep: Sweep out Neural Backdoors by GAN", in ACM International Conference on Multimedia (MM), Seattle, WA, October 12-16, 2020. (Acceptance ratio: 27.8%).
  15. R. Ning, C. Wang, J. Li, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "DeepMag+: Sniffing Mobile Apps in Magnetic Field through Deep Learning", Elsevier Journal of Pervasive and Mobile Computing (PMC), 2019.
  16. R. Ning, C. Wang, C. Xin, J. Li, L. Zhu, and H. Wu, "CapJack: Capture In-Browser Crypto-jacking by Deep Capsule Network through Behavioral Analysis", in IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM), Paris, France, April 29-May 2, 2019. (Acceptance ratio: 19.7%; Best In-session Presentation Award).
  17. R. Ning, C. Wang, J. Li, C. Xin, and H. Wu, "DeepMag: Sniffing Mobile Apps in Magnetic Field through Deep Convolutional Neural Networks", in IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communication (PerCom), Athens, Greece, March 19-23, 2018. (Acceptance ratio: 16.5%; Mark Weiser Best Paper Award (1/139)).
  18. T. Phuong, R. Ning, H. Wu, and C. Xin, "Puncturable Attribute Based Encryption for Secure Data Delivery in Internet-of-Things", in IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM), Honolulu, USA, April 15-19, 2018. (Acceptance ratio: 19%).
  19. L. Tung Thanh, R. Ning, D. Zhao, H. Wu, and M. Bayoumi, "Optimizing the Heterogeneous Network On-Chip Design in Manycore Architectures", in IEEE International System-on-Chip Conference (SOCC), Munich, Germany, September 5-8, 2017.

Honors & Awards

  • CISE Research Initiation Initiative Award (CRII), NSF, 2022
  • Best In-session Presentation Award, IEEE INFOCOM, 2019
  • Ph.D. Researcher of the Year, ODU ECE, 2019
  • Mark Weiser Best Paper Award, IEEE PERCOM, 2018
  • Student Travel Awards, IEEE PERCOM, 2018
  • M&S Fellowship, ODU, 2016

Research Grants

  1. Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, DoD, $5.2M (My Share: $525,000), Role: Co-PI.
  2. Improving the Success of Low-Income Students in a Cybersecurity Program, NSF, $1M, Role: Co-PI.
  3. Intelligent Learning in Cyber Defense for JROTC Students and Teachers, NSA, $175k, Role: PI.
  4. A Paradigm Shift: Innovating Supply Chain Security for AI-Assisted Devices, CCI, $100k, Role: PI.
  5. Collaborative AI in Distributed Environments: Ensuring Trust Amidst Malicious Samples, Interdigital CO., $100k, Role: PI.
  6. Unveiling Invisible Sight: Exploring AI Perception and Privacy in IoT Devices through Interactive Art, CCI, $25k, Role: Sole-PI.
  7. A Holistic Evaluation Framework for Multi‑Modal AI Security and Trustworthiness on Federated IoE, CCI, $50,000, 05/2023 ‑ 05/2024, Role: PI.
  8. Spotlighting and Mitigating Cyber‑Attacks in AIoT‑enabled Maritime Transportation, CCI, $100,000, Role: Co‑PI.
  9. A Graduate Certificate in Web Archiving, Institute of Museum and Library Services, $100,000, Role: Co‑PI.
  10. TrustAI: Enhancing Human Confidence and Trust in AI Models, CCI, $60,000, 12/2022 - 12/2024, Role: PI.
  11. Facilitate the Convergence of Next-gen AI and Wireless, Interdigital CO., $100,000, 01/2023 - 01/2024, Role: PI.
  12. IUCRC Planning Grant, NSF, $20,000, 04/2022 - 03/2023, Role: Co-PI.
  13. CRII: SaTC: Backdoor Detection, Mitigation, and Prevention in Deep Neural Networks, NSF, $175,000, 05/2022 - 04/2024, Role: Sole-PI.
  14. Blockchain-Based Deep Learning Management to Enable Smart NextG Wireless Networks, CCI Securing NextG, $100,000, 12/2021 - 08/2022, Role: PI.
  15. BlockFL: A Blockchain-Based Fully Distributed Federated Learning Framework, Interdigital CO., $184,129, 01/2021 - 01/2023, Role: PI.
  16. Investigating Robustness and Uncertainty of AI Algorithms in Cyber Physical Systems, CCI Experimental Research, $50,000, 06/2021 - 05/2022, Role: PI.
  17. Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnostics for Federated AI Algorithms in Cyber Physical Systems, COVA CCI, $150,000, 07/2021 - 06/2022, Role: PI.
  18. Backdoor Detection and Mitigation in Deep Neural Networks, CCI Cybersecurity Research Collaboration Funding, COVA CCI, $200,000, 01/2021 - 12/2021, Role: Co-PI.
  19. Deep Resilience for Multifaceted Federated Learning in Internet-of-Everything, CCI, $125,000, 12/2021 - 12/2022, Role: Co-PI.
  20. CIVIIC: Cybercrime in Virginia: Impacts on Industry and Citizens, COVA CCI, $150,000, 07/2021 - 06/2022, Role: Consultant.

Mentoring

  • Steven Chen, M.S., ODU
  • Jian Li, Ph.D., Co-advised, ODU
  • Zemin Chen, Ph.D., ODU
  • Miao, Lin, Ph.D., ODU
  • Junrui Zhang, Ph.D., ODU
  • Jiawei Chen, Ph.D., ODU
  • Chunyu Hu, Ph.D., ODU
  • Xiangrui Xu, Ph.D., ODU
  • Liuwan Zhu, Ph.D., Co-advised, ODU
  • Hal Ferguson, Ph.D., Co-advised, ODU
  • Shawn Collins, Undergraduate, ODU

Academic Services

  • Program Committee: AAAI, IJCAI, AsiaCCS, ICDCS
  • Reviewer: ICCV, CVPR, ECCV, KDD, IEEE TMC, IEEE WoWMoM, IWQoS, PMC, COMCOM, ICPADS, DCAN
  • PhD Forum Co-Chair: WoWMoM 2021
  • ICNC 2024 TPC Co‑Chair: Symposium 1: AI and Machine Learning for Communications and Networking (AMCN)
  • Faculty Member and Sensor Personnel: NSA Cyber Defense (CAE‑CD) and Cyber Operation (CAE‑CO) for Cybersecurity at ODU
  • Co‑PI and Faculty Advisor: NSF S‑STEM scholarship students
  • Faculty Mentor: NSF REU sites at School of Cybersecurity, ODU
  • Curriculum Developer: Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity at ODU
  • Curriculum Developer: Graduate Certificate in Web Archiving at ODU
  • Invited Lecturer: NSA GenCyber Summer Camp at ODU

Teaching Experience

  • Spring 2023, CS 466/566 Principles and Practice of Cyber Defense, Developer & Instructor
  • Fall 2022, CS 467/567 Introduction to Reverse Software Engineering, Developer & Instructor
  • 2020-present, AI Security & Privacy, Developer & Instructor
  • 2016-2020, Cyber Defense Fundamentals, Guest Lecturer
  • 2016-2020, Cyber-Physical System Security, Guest Lecturer
  • 2014-2016, Digital Geometry Processing, Teaching Assistant

Contact

Rui Ning
Email: rning@odu.edu
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA