Z. Morley Mao named Farnam Jahanian Collegiate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering

Prof. Z. Morley Mao has been honored with the newly established Farnam Jahanian Collegiate Professorship of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan in recognition of her exceptional contributions in the area of network systems and security.

Mao’s research has significantly advanced the field’s understanding of network systems, mobile and distributed systems, and security. Her work has tackled complex challenges including securing connected and automated vehicles, protecting against adversarial machine learning threats, and enhancing the security of mobile and cloud computing networks. At U-M, she leads the RobustNet research group, which focuses on improving the reliability and security of network systems, from autonomous vehicles to cyber manufacturing. 

Mao has garnered numerous accolades throughout her academic career. She is a Fellow of the ACM and the IEEE, and has received prestigious honors including an NSF CAREER Award, a Sloan Fellowship, and an IBM Faculty Partnership Award. Mao came to U-M in 2004 after completing her PhD at the University of California Berkeley in 2003. She was named a Morris Wellman Development Professor from 2008-2010 and was awarded the George J. Huebner, Jr. Research Excellence Award by the College of Engineering in 2017.

Throughout her time at U-M, Mao has not only been a leader in research but also an influential educator. Courses she has taught, such as EECS 388: Introduction to Computer Security and CSE 589: Advanced Computer Networks, are instrumental in preparing the next generation of computer scientists. 

This professorship is named in honor of Farnam Jahanian, a former U-M faculty member and chair of CSE from 2008-2011, who Mao cites as an instrumental mentor during her early career at U-M. The newly established professorship recognizes Jahanian’s legacy and influence, as he has made significant contributions to distributed computer and network security research and helped in the commercialization of research through Arbor Networks. Jahanian led the National Science Foundation’s CISE directorate from 2011-2014 and currently serves as president of Carnegie Mellon University.

Mao’s recognition as the Farnam Jahanian Collegiate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering is a testament to her outstanding achievements, dedication to research excellence, and commitment to creating a more secure technological future.