Welcome to Our Newest Faculty!

The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is proud to welcome an outstanding group of new faculty members to our community. Each brings unique expertise, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to CEHC’s mission of uniting people, technology, and knowledge to address the challenges of the 21st century. From innovative research to engaging teaching, their contributions will help shape the future of our programs and inspire the next generation of Great Danes.

 
Dr. Nour Hossain
Dr. Hossain joined CEHC in Spring as Assistant Professor of AI & Gaming in the IST Department. He leads the Kernel of Nexus (KofN) AI-Driven Innovation Center, exploring intersections of technology, gaming, education, and health science. Previously an Assistant Professor at Indiana University Kokomo, he advanced VR and health science research while mentoring diverse students. His work spans VR, AI/ML, game design, and software engineering, with a strong record of grants and industry engagement. We’re excited to see his creativity continue to inspire students and programs alike.


Dr. Nour Alhussien
Dr. Alhussien joins the Cybersecurity Department as Assistant Professor. She earned her Ph.D. from Augusta University, specializing in adversarial machine learning, intrusion detection, and trustworthy AI. Her research addresses securing AI systems, building resilient models, and tackling social media misinformation. She has published in leading journals and conferences such as IEEE NOMS and TrustCom and received NSF and ONR-DoD fellowships. An active member of Women in Cybersecurity, she also mentors emerging researchers. We’re delighted to welcome her expertise in strengthening CEHC’s cybersecurity research and teaching.


Dr. Sheikh Rabiul Islam
Dr. Islam joins the Cybersecurity Department as Assistant Professor, leading the Cognitive-Security, Accountability, Fairness, and Explainability (CAFÉ) Research Group. His work focuses on explainable and fair AI for cybersecurity, health informatics, and social good. With a Ph.D. from Tennessee Tech, he has authored 35+ publications and a book on XAI in cybersecurity. Recipient of an NSF grant, he advances fairness-aware AI for cloud security. Recognized for teaching and research excellence, he brings a passion for ethical and transparent AI. We’re fortunate to have his innovative vision at CEHC.


Dr. Edward Danso Ansong
Dr. Ansong joins the Cybersecurity Department as Visiting Assistant Professor, bringing 17+ years of teaching, research, and professional experience. He holds a Ph.D. from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and certifications from DHS and Karunya University. He has led digital transformation projects funded by the World Bank and served as an innovation expert with USAID. He has trained military and law enforcement in cyber defense across Africa and beyond, with 40+ publications in leading journals. We’re thrilled to welcome his global expertise to enrich CEHC’s programs.


Jason Corace
Jason Corace joins the IST Department as Associate Professor and director of both the Strategic Game Design and Applied Development Graduate Program and the undergraduate Game Design and Development program. An award-winning designer, he previously founded the MICA Game Lab and Pratt’s Game Arts program, and has taught at Parsons and NYU. Jason has collaborated with Unity Technologies, Johns Hopkins, and the Baltimore Mayor’s Office, with his work exhibited at institutions like the Smithsonian and Ars Electronica. We’re excited to see his leadership expand CEHC’s creative game design community.


Tim Fake
Tim Fake is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Cybersecurity Department, teaching penetration testing, secure programming, and risk modeling. His research examines uncertainty and causal reasoning in improving threat modeling, particularly in RF, IoT, and quantum systems. With over a decade of industry experience, he has expertise in RF analysis, firmware reverse engineering, and embedded security. He previously worked with Optiv Security, General Dynamics, and the National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies. Currently active in IEEE’s Quantum Cybersecurity Framework, he brings both research and industry insight. We’re glad to have him strengthen our applied cybersecurity offerings.


Sarah Lauser
Sarah Lauser joins CEHC as Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice in Game Design and Development within the IST Department. With a background spanning physics, information science, and analytics, she focuses on games for civic engagement and social change. She has taught courses on esports, game business, and data literacy, and co-organized initiatives like Pixels for Progress. Her research explores inclusive design, serious games, and gamification in civic life. We’re excited for her to continue to inspire students through innovative teaching.


Dr. Dakota Murray
Dr. Murray joins the IST Department as Assistant Professor. He earned his Ph.D. in Informatics from Indiana University and worked as a data scientist at Digital Science before joining Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute. His research examines the social forces and networks shaping knowledge production, drawing on sociology, philosophy, and computational methods. Projects include studies of scientific disagreement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open-source ecosystems, with publications in PNAS, Nature, and JASIST. We’re delighted to welcome his expertise in data-driven approaches to science and society.


Frank D. Peris
Frank Peris is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the IST Department, contributing to the Maker Space and Drone & Robotics Labs. A police officer for 16 years, he has served in a drone unit for seven years and holds a 107C pilot’s license. He has flown over 100 law enforcement drone missions and trains emergency responders for NYS Homeland Security. He holds degrees from SUNY Brockport, University of Phoenix, and Liberty University, with research focusing on officer wellness and mental health. We’re excited for his unique expertise to enrich student learning and applied research.

       
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to these outstanding faculty and practitioners as we begin an exciting Fall 2025 semester together!! Their expertise, energy, and diverse perspectives will strengthen our community, expand opportunities for students, and advance our mission of innovation and impact.