Are you looking for new PhD students for Fall 2026?

Yes.

What do you work on?

Refer to the research page.

What kinds of background are you looking for?

I welcome students with diverse backgrounds to join my group, especially:

• Students with a strong cryptography background who also care deeply about real systems.
  • Example projects: Qelect (Security'25), Cirrus (NDSS'26), Qelect (Security'25), zkBridge (CCS'22), DECO (CCS'20).
• System builders with a strong interest in security.
  • Example projects: ZIPNet (PETS'25), AGORA (OOPSLA'25), MISO (EuroS&P'23), Ekiden (EuroS&P'19).
• Students with deep knowledge of real-world decentralized systems, especially those who love to break (and fix) things and expose dysfunctions.
  • Example: Insecurity Through Obscurity (arXiv 2504.13398), PBS Centralization (S&P'25).
• Students interested in game theory and its applications in decentralized systems and security.
  • Examples: AUCIL (ePrint 2025/194), Prooφ (FC'25), CrudiTEE (AFT'24), AnimaguSwap (CCS'24).
• A catch-all: opinionated thinkers who disagree with the current state of the digital world and think decentralized systems can make a difference.

Can I email you to discuss my application?

Yes. It’s most helpful if you include:

• your CV
• your transcript
• and which of the above categories you fall into

Does Yale CS use a committee-based admission process?

Yes.