When Dana Itzhaki and Noa Barnir arrived at The University of Tulsa, they brought no expectations of their time in the United States beyond a desire for discovery. From Tel Aviv University, both scholars are doctoral students in cybersecurity economics. Their adviser, Neil Gandal, Ph.D., applied distinguished professor of cyber studies, encouraged them to come to UTulsa to learn from top scholars, exploring cybersecurity theories from different perspectives while experiencing Tulsa’s vibrant lifestyle.
During the past year, both students have been performing research, working on several joint projects between Tel Aviv University and UTulsa. Their visit allowed them to meet faculty and other students in person, engaging in meaningful conversations and learning new insights. Tandy Endowed Chair in Cyber Security and Information Assurance Tyler Moore, Ph.D., also provided mentorship with daily meetings while they worked with other doctoral students on various projects.
“The School of Cyber Studies is truly unique, bringing together students from different disciplines to explore cybersecurity space from multiple perspectives,” said Barnir. “This multidisciplinary environment was very educational for me, not only through discussions with the professors but also by learning from other Ph.D. students. I am sure that the collaboration we began during the visit will lead to future joint research.”
During their stay in UTulsa, Barnir and Itzhaki said that the university and the city have an invigorating feeling. The activities on campus and events around Tulsa made them feel welcomed. They explored the city with their families, emphasizing the warmth Tulsa offers.
“My time in Tulsa was inspiring both professionally and personally. I returned to Israel with many new ideas and connections that continue to influence my research,” Barnir said.
“My family and I had a wonderful experience in Tulsa. It is a warm, welcoming and peaceful city, and we genuinely enjoyed our time there. We were sad to leave. My children keep saying they would love to come back,” said Itzhaki. “Since returning to Israel, I’ve been able to continue the joint research with much greater clarity, and I am already developing new projects that grew directly out of my time in Tulsa.”
Gandal said there are strong synergies between students here and in Israel: “This is because the Tel Aviv students have a strong background in economics and data analysis while the UTulsa students have a strong background in computer science. This interdisciplinary cooperation led to the inauguration of several joint UTulsa and Tel Aviv projects. I expect that many excellent articles will come out of the collaboration, which will continue beyond the time in Tulsa.”
The University of Tulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity as well as a doctorate in cyber studies. Learn more at utulsa.edu/cyber.