Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering
504 J. B. Hunt Building
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-6197
Fax: (479)-575-5339
Arkansas Security Research and Education Institute (ASCENT)
Researchers at ASCENT focus on four areas, and they plan to connect researchers and
industry partners in these areas in order to develop security solutions. In the area
of cybersecurity, the center takes advantage of the expertise of the U of A's cyber
talent and local industry. In the transportation area, the center hopes ot find way
sot make supply chain logistics more efficient, while protecting the proprietary information
of companies involved. The critical infrastructure area focuses on the digital infrastructure
underlying the services we use every day, such as banks, power systems and the internet.
This area also looks at future security risks associated with the emerging Internet
of Things. Finally, ASCENT plans to focus on our food supply and water supply, finding
ways to make sure these remain safe and plentiful.
The director of ASCENT is Jia Di, Ph.D., professor of computer science and computer
engineering and holder of the Twenty-First Century Research Leadership Chair. The
three co-directors are Chase Rainwater, Ph.D., associate professor of industrial engineering,
Dale Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science and computer engineering,
and Steve Ricke, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety of the Arknansas Division
of Agriculture.