Fan Zhang

I’m an assistant professor of Computer Science at Yale University. I work on computer security and applied cryptography, with a focus on decentralized systems, anonymity, identity and access control, and robust incentive design. Several of my works, notably oracles (aka zkTLS), confidential smart contracts, trustless bridges, and efficient DC Net, have been adopted by the industry. My research has been supported by awards and grants from the NSF, the Ethereum Foundation, Flashbots, Mysten Labs, the Yale Roberts Innovation Award, and IBM.

I’m also affiliated with IC3, Center for Distributed Confidential Computing (CDCC) and Center for Algorithms, Data, and Market Design at Yale (CADMY).

At Yale, I teach Intro to Blockchain and Real-World Cryptography.

Updates

📌📣 DECO, the first zkTLS protocol we devised in 2019, is now in Chainlink’s Platform Privacy Suite.
12/25🎉 Cirrus: Performant and Accountable Distributed SNARK is accepted to NDSS'26!
08/25🎉 Received a collaborative NSF award to work on TEE powered Confidential Genome Imputation and Analytics.
08/25✈️ Recent talks: IC3 Blockchain Camp, NoConsensus@SBC25, and ETH NYC'25.
04/25📣 New paper Insecurity Through Obscurity: Veiled Vulnerabilities in Closed-Source Contracts is online. Also check out the nice highlight by EigenPhi.
03/25🎉 “Decentralization of Ethereum’s Builder Market” is accepted to IEEE S&P 2025. Congrats, Sen!
02/25📣 “AUCIL: An Inclusion List Design for Rational Parties” is online.
01/25🎉 Qelect is accepted to USENIX Security 2025.

Research interests

I have a broad interest in security and applied cryptography research, and am particularly passionate about building systems that enhance the security and privacy of decentralized systems.

For a systematic overview of my research, please check out the research page, or my publications.

Interested in working with me?

  • I’m looking for one PhD student to start in 2026 Fall. Please read here for more information.
  • For Yale undergrads: we enjoy having undergrad researchers in our lab to help them gain research experience. Feel free to get in touch.
  • We have openings for Postdocs, visiting scholars, and summer interns for strong candidates.

Contact