Research
REU Site on Hardware Security
PI: Hao Zheng, Co-PI: Mehran Kermani
Program Description
The SEES Lab at the University of South Florida (USF) will host a 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site program on Hardware Security, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is designed to train the next generation of researchers in the critical area of hardware security and assurance, addressing the urgent need for a skilled workforce to secure the hardware foundations of modern computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cyber-physical systems. Unlike software- and network-focused security programs, this REU site emphasizes low-level hardware vulnerabilities such as hardware Trojans, intellectual property protection, cryptographic engineering, and secure architectures. Participants will receive mentorship from USF faculty with diverse expertise in computer science and engineering, and gain hands-on experience with pressing security challenges in integrated circuits, FPGAs, VLSI design, and embedded systems. Students will also have opportunities to present their research at a university-wide REU symposium and potentially at technical conferences.
The program goes beyond research by incorporating social events and field trips that foster collaboration and create an enriching summer experience. These activities encourage informal interactions among students and faculty while building lasting professional networks. On free weekends, students can enjoy nearby attractions, including botanical gardens, local restaurants, and the USF Riverfront Park, which offers canoeing, sports, and picnic facilities.
Some example projects are listed below.
- Hardware Trojan Detection using Reinforcement Learning – developing AI-driven methods to detect malicious circuitry hidden in third-party IP blocks.
- Signal Randomization for Hardware Trojan Defense – exploring novel obfuscation techniques like RECORD to prevent Trojan activation.
- Elliptic-Curve Cryptography and Side-Channel Attacks – implementing secure cryptographic algorithms on FPGAs/ASICs and evaluating their resistance to advanced attacks.
- Security for Implantable and Wearable Medical Devices – studying vulnerabilities in closed-loop physiological control systems and developing ML-based countermeasures.
- Hardware Primitives for IP Protection – designing polymorphic gates using emerging technologies to safeguard semiconductor intellectual property.
- AI-Enabled IoT Security – applying lightweight ML models to detect and defend against security attacks on constrained IoT edge devices.
Benefits
Participants will receive:
- $7,000 stipend for the 10-week program
- Housing and meal support on the USF Tampa campus
- Travel assistance to and from USF
- Access to world-class computing labs, recreational facilities, and professional development resources.
Eligibility
- Open to undergraduate students in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related disciplines.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Application
In each year, recruitment begins in January, with an application deadline of March 1. Accepted students will be notified by mid-March. Applicants must submit:
- An application form online
- Current resume and transcript
- One-page statement of interest describing career goals and fit with the REU program
- Two letters of recommendation