From his early days at The University of Tulsa to his pioneering work in cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT), Mauricio Papa has been a vital part of the College of Engineering & Computer Science, demonstrating a passion for knowledge and pushing the boundaries of technology.
Papa arrived in Tulsa from Venezuela in January 1994 as a master’s student in electrical engineering. “Working under the supervision of Professors Sujeet Shenoi and Kaveh Ashenayi, I started doing research right away on developing techniques to optimize fuzzy logic controllers using genetic algorithms,” he said. “Once I completed my M.S. in 1996, I joined the Ph.D. program in computer science and switched research efforts to focus on cyber security, and more specifically, on the use of theoretical frameworks to analyze security properties of communication protocols.
“Needless to say, I was very interested in academia, a place where I could continue with my research efforts and help disseminate knowledge through teaching.”
Papa, who currently serves as Brock Professor of Computer Science and Cyber Studies, was recruited to develop courses needed to run UTulsa’s Cyber Corps program and grow our research expertise in the network security domain. In 2006, he switched his research focus to securing distributed control systems from cyberattacks. “This gave me the opportunity to get back to my process control and electrical engineering roots while continuing my research in cyber security,” he said. “TU is a special place where undergraduate students also have an opportunity to further their careers by being involved in research.”
Papa’s most notable current research project examines ways to enhance the resiliency and cyber security posture of U.S. critical infrastructures. Funded by the Engineer Research and Development Center, a division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this $3.75 million project seeks to develop cyber security solutions for the U.S. energy sector and, more specifically, the natural gas domain. “Support from UTulsa’s Office of Research & Economic Development, under the leadership of Dr. Rose Gamble, has been instrumental in promoting and growing our research capabilities,” Papa said.
He also collaborates in a number of externally funded multidisciplinary projects with a cyber security component:
- Virtual reality for smart installation experimentation and security analysis with Professor John Hale, chair of the Tandy School of Computer Science ($3.75 million)
- Asset identification and management for Operational Technology and IoT with Peter Hawrylak, associate professor of electrical & computer engineering ($3.75 million)
- Detection of natural gas emissions into the atmosphere with Hawrylak and Eduardo Pereyra, the F.H. “Mick” Merelli/Coterra Energy Chair in Petroleum Engineering ($768,000)
This last project, launched in 2022 under UTulsa’s Cyber Fellows program, served as a platform to explore the use of IoT devices as part of a solution to detect and locate greenhouse gas leaks associated with methane. His interest in the IoT domain started a few years earlier. In 2017, Papa began experimenting with small wireless devices using the Arduino platform and wanted to get others, including students, involved. “I had been teaching networks for several years and wanted to look for ways to engage students in this fascinating area. Having worked with Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge students, I decided to create a bootcamp where students doing research over the summer could also learn something new and perhaps apply it to their own projects,” Papa said.
This initiative successfully provided students with practical experience and encouraged their participation through the provision of low-cost development kits they could keep. “The idea worked very well,” he said. “I taught the bootcamp this past summer, and I am grateful for the support I continue to receive from the Tandy School of Computer Science.”
Papa’s contributions have enriched the academic community and inspired countless students. As he continues to lead and innovate, Papa’s impact on the college, the university and the field of computer science remains profound.
“Dr. Papa’s enduring commitment to advancing the field of computer science and his creative approach to engaging students exemplify his dedication to both research and education,” said Andreas Polycarpou, dean of the College of Engineering & Computer Science.