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CS Faculty Candidate Seminars, February 16-20
by Zier, Debbie 13 Feb '26

13 Feb '26

Two CS faculty candidate seminars next week. Both seminars will be 9:30 - 10:30am in 1100 Torgersen Monday, February 16: Sha Yi Seminar: Learning to Design Robots<https://website.cs.vt.edu/research/Seminars/Sha_Yi.html> Tuesday, February 17: Shwetha Rajaram Seminar: Balancing User Experience and Privacy in Wearable AI Systems<https://website.cs.vt.edu/research/Seminars/Swetha_Rajaram.html> ________________________ Debbie Zier Administrative Assistant and Office Manager Department of Computer Science (0106) 3160E Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 541-231-1369

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CS Graduate Student Discord (Revived!)
by Madabushi, Sindhuja 12 Feb '26

12 Feb '26

Hello everyone, We are reviving the CS Graduate Student Discord server because we have found it to be an effective way to communicate and stay connected as a graduate student community. This server is a space exclusively for CS graduate students to ask questions, share resources, and support one another. You can use it to discuss courses, research, quals, internships, or general grad-life questions. Feel free to ask questions openly, many others are likely wondering the same things. Join here: https://discord.gg/caMZP2wseW To keep discussions focused and relevant, this server is limited to CS graduate students. We hope this becomes a useful and low-pressure space to stay informed and connected. Best, — Sindhuja Madabushi, Secretary, Computer Science Graduate Council PhD Student in CS@VT (505) 457-7721 msindhuja(a)vt.edu<mailto:msindhuja@vt.edu> | Website<https://sindhujamadabushi.github.io/>

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Final Ph.D. Defense of Abdul Haddi Amjad
by Muhammad Ali Gulzar 12 Feb '26

12 Feb '26

Dear CS Faculty and Students, I am pleased to invite you to Haddi Amjad's final Ph.D defense at 3pm (ET) on Friday, Feb 13. Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/7370786267 Title: Enhancing Web Privacy through JavaScript Code-Aware Program Analysis Abstract: Advertisers and tracking services (ATS) are pervasive on the modern web. To counter these practices, millions of users rely on privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), such as ad-blockers, which primarily depend on filter lists composed of regex-based rules to block network requests associated with data exfiltration. However, this approach has become increasingly ineffective in the face of an ongoing arms race. Currently, PETs struggle to handle mixed JavaScript (JS) scripts that combine tracking behavior with legitimate website functionality. These tools operate at the network level and can only block entire script requests rather than specific behaviors within a script. As a result, once a mixed script executes, any subsequent data exfiltration carried out through encrypted URL requests becomes invisible to network-based defenses, rendering existing PETs ineffective. Mixed JS scripts create a fundamental dilemma for PETs: aggressively blocking them risks breaking websites, while allowing them undermines user privacy. This thesis addresses this challenge by asking: How can code-aware program analysis be leveraged to design privacy-enhancing technologies that effectively mitigate tracking while preserving essential web functionality? This thesis makes three primary contributions. First, we focus on identification of mixed JS by introducing TrackerSift, a large-scale measurement framework that reveals mixed behavior in a substantial fraction of web JS scripts. Second, we validate that mixed JS scripts can be effectively handled through program analysis, demonstrating that functions inside mixed JS scripts can clearly separate tracking code from functional code. Finally, we address mitigation by presenting NoT.JS, a code-aware, ML–based system that accurately identifies tracking JS functions inside mixed JS scripts and refactors them to selectively remove tracking logic while maintaining legitimate functionality. Together, these contributions advance privacy-enhancing technologies by enabling principled mitigation of mixed JS scripts through code-aware program analysis. Best regards, Gulzar — Muhammad Ali Gulzar Assistant Professor Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science 220 Gilbert Street, Room 4106 Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 231-0851 | gulzar(a)cs.vt.edu | https://people.cs.vt.edu/~gulzar

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2026 Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Student Research Excellence Award
by Sirles, Andrea 10 Feb '26

10 Feb '26

Good morning, everyone! Below is information highlights about the 2026 Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Student Research Excellence Award. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alicia Johnson directly (jalicia(a)vt.edu): To be eligible, you must be: * A VT Engineering master’s or PhD student who has completed their degree (August 2025–present) or is near completion (on track to finish by August 2026) * Enrolled, or previously enrolled, at any Virginia Tech campus Award Prizes (For both master’s and PhD categories) * 1st Place: $500 * 2nd Place: $450 * 3rd Place: $400 * 4th Place: $350 Key Dates at a Glance * Abstract Deadline: February 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Finalists Announced: March 6, 2026 * Video Presentations Due: March 23, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Winners Announced: April 2, 2026 * Engineering Research Day: April 9, 2026 How It Works * Submit your abstract by February 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) using the proposal form linked below * A panel of judges will review submissions using a detailed rubric (attached for reference) * On March 6, 2026, up to 20 finalists (10 master’s and 10 PhD students) will be invited to Round 2 * Finalists submit a recorded video poster presentation by March 23, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Finalist presentations will be judged asynchronously from March 24–31, 2026 * Award winners announced: April 2, 2026 * NEW: Winners are invited to present at Engineering Research Day on April 9, 2026 (optional, in-person celebration) Why Apply? * Prestige: Recognition for excellence in graduate research * Awards: Monetary prizes up to $500 per category * Visibility: Winning projects may be featured in College news, websites, and social media * NEW: Opportunity to showcase your work at the College of Engineering Research Day Best, Andrea Sirles, Graduate Program Coordinator Virginia Tech | Computer Science Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Dr., Suite 1180 asirles(a)vt.edu<mailto:asirles@vt.edu> | (540) 231-8945 ________________________________ From: COE Graduate and Professional Studies <coegps(a)vt.edu> Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 3:47 PM To: COE Grad Coordinators <coe-grad-coordinators-g(a)vt.edu>; coegraddirectors-g(a)vt.edu <coegraddirectors-g(a)vt.edu> Subject: FYI: Torgersen Graduate Research Award – Student Announcement Below Good afternoon Graduate Directors and Graduate Coordinators, I’m sharing the message below for your awareness and reference. It was recently sent to our master’s and PhD students to announce the 2026 Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Student Research Excellence Award. For those who may be less familiar with the award, the Torgersen Award is a long-standing College of Engineering–level recognition that highlights exceptional graduate student research across all engineering disciplines. The competition is fully asynchronous and open to eligible students from all VT campuses. If you’re interested in seeing examples of past awardees and projects, last year’s winners are available here: Torg Award WordPress -https://torgersengradaward.vt.domains/ Torg Award VTechWorks - https://hdl.handle.net/10919/136907 Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Take care, Graduate and Professional Studies College of Engineering coegps(a)vt.edu<mailto:coegps@vt.edu> ________________________________ From: COE Graduate and Professional Studies <coegps(a)vt.edu> Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 3:30 PM To: engr-graduate-g(a)vt.edu <engr-graduate-g(a)vt.edu> Subject: [ACTION REQUIRED] Call for Proposals: 2026 Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Student Research Excellence Award Dear College of Engineering graduating master’s and PhD students, Are you ready to showcase your research and gain well-deserved recognition? The College of Engineering is now accepting proposals for the 2026 Paul E. Torgersen Graduate Student Research Excellence Award. Each year, this award recognizes outstanding research conducted by graduating master’s and PhD students across VT Engineering. The competition is asynchronous to accommodate all campuses and includes an abstract submission, an initial judging round, and a final round in which selected finalists submit a recorded digital poster presentation. NEW THIS YEAR: Award winners will be invited to present their research in person at the College of Engineering Research Day on April 9, 2026, held at the Graduate Student Life Center. Important Note About GPSS The Torgersen Award competition is not affiliated with the Graduate School’s GPSS program. However, students are welcome to build on or adapt the same research topic used for a GPSS proposal when submitting a Torgersen Award proposal. Who Can Apply? To be eligible, you must be: * A VT Engineering master’s or PhD student who has completed their degree (August 2025–present) or is near completion (on track to finish by August 2026) * Enrolled, or previously enrolled, at any Virginia Tech campus How It Works * Submit your abstract by February 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) using the proposal form linked below * A panel of judges will review submissions using a detailed rubric (attached for reference) * On March 6, 2026, up to 20 finalists (10 master’s and 10 PhD students) will be invited to Round 2 * Finalists submit a recorded video poster presentation by March 23, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Finalist presentations will be judged asynchronously from March 24–31, 2026 * Award winners announced: April 2, 2026 * NEW: Winners are invited to present at Engineering Research Day on April 9, 2026 (optional, in-person celebration) Why Apply? * Prestige: Recognition for excellence in graduate research * Awards: Monetary prizes up to $500 per category * Visibility: Winning projects may be featured in College news, websites, and social media * NEW: Opportunity to showcase your work at the College of Engineering Research Day Award Prizes (For both master’s and PhD categories) * 1st Place: $500 * 2nd Place: $450 * 3rd Place: $400 * 4th Place: $350 Winning students and their advisors will be notified by email, followed by announcements on the College of Engineering website and social media. Submit Your Abstract 2026 Paul E. Torgersen Award Abstract Proposal Submission Form – Fill out form<https://forms.office.com/r/R6r7Nkf8EJ> Key Dates at a Glance * Abstract Deadline: February 27, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Finalists Announced: March 6, 2026 * Video Presentations Due: March 23, 2026 (5:00 PM EST) * Winners Announced: April 2, 2026 * Engineering Research Day: April 9, 2026 Questions? Please contact Alicia Johnson at jalicia(a)vt.edu. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to share your research and celebrate your academic achievements. Best wishes, Alicia Alicia L. Johnson, PhD Director of Graduate and Professional Studies Virginia Tech College of Engineering Director, Cardinal Education "Power of Six"<https://www.cardinaleducation.org/> 3009 Torgersen Hall-Dean’s Office 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 jalicia(a)vt.edu -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "COE Grad Coordinators" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coe-grad-coordinators-g+unsubscribe(a)vt.edu<mailto:coe-grad-coordinators-g+unsubscribe@vt.edu>. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/msgid/coe-grad-coordinators-g/SJ0PR05M…<https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/msgid/coe-grad-coordinators-g/SJ0PR05M…>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/optout.

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Apply for CS@VT-Sponsored Travel to ACM CAPWIC 2026 Deadline February 6th
by Nizamani, Sehrish Basir 04 Feb '26

04 Feb '26

Hello Blacksburg Graduate Students, CS@VT will sponsor travel for a limited number of students to attend ACM CAPWIC on March 27-28, 2026. https://capwic.org/ Students will be selected through a blind review process; however, priority will be given to students with submissions. If you are interested in attending this conference through departmental sponsorship, please complete the form linked below. The sponsorship will support: * Conference registration * Shared travel accommodation * Hotel accommodation Please submit the form no later than February 6, 2026. Fill out the form below to apply for department sponsorship: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjeke…<https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjeke…> If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Best regards, Sehrish Basir Nizamani, Collegiate Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science Faculty Affiliate, CENI | CHCI<https://hci.icat.vt.edu> | Center for Future Work Places and Practices<https://cfwpp.icat.vt.edu> 620 Drillfield Drive, Office 2220A Torgersen Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24060 540-231-1238 | sehrishbasir(a)vt.edu<mailto:sehrishbasir@vt.edu> Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/sehrishbasir

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Faculty Candidate Seminar, Nathan DeVrio, Friday, Feb. 6
by Zier, Debbie 04 Feb '26

04 Feb '26

Tenure Track Faculty Candidate Seminar, Friday, February 6 9:30 - 10:30am, 1100 Torgersen Hall Friday, February 6: Nathan DeVrio Seminar: The Next Input Frontier: Implicit Hand Interactions<https://website.cs.vt.edu/research/Seminars/Nathan_DeVrio.html> No Zoom link will be provided for the candidate seminars, you are asked to attend in person. ________________________ Debbie Zier Administrative Assistant and Office Manager Department of Computer Science (0106) 3160E Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 541-231-1369

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DoW Cyber Service Academy Scholarship — Applications Open
by Cho, Jin-Hee 04 Feb '26

04 Feb '26

Hello all CS undergraduate and graduate students! Good morning~ Check the below opportunity if you are interested: The Department of War (DoW) Cyber Service Academy scholarship application is now open! Formerly known as the Cyber Scholarship Program, the Cyber Service Academy aims to recruit and retain the nation's top cyber talent by offering financial support and mentorship as students prepare for the workforce. This program is aimed at rising juniors, rising seniors, and graduate students who are interested in cyber security careers with the DoW. Selected students must agree to one year of service to the DoW upon graduation for each year or partial year of scholarship received. If selected, you will receive: * Full tuition coverage * $29 - $34k stipends * Summer Internships at a DoD Component Eligibility: * US citizen able to qualify for security clearance * Have at least 1 full academic year remaining in degree program * Able to complete required service obligation Visit the Hume Center’s webpage on the DoW Cyber Service Academyn Scholarhsip program<https://hume.vt.edu/undergraduate-education/workforce-development-programs/…> for more information and submit the 2026 DoW Cyber Service Academy Interest Form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckC6p-ytGOW5yNkZMswfyducKzpnw6n1n…> for scholarship consideration. Thanks! Best, Jin-Hee ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jin-Hee Cho (she/her/hers), Ph.D., IEEE Senior Member Associate Professor | Department of Computer Science Stephen and Cherye Tyndall Moore Junior Faculty Fellow | Computer Science Faculty Fellow | College of Engineering Affiliate Faculty | National Security Institute Virginia Tech 900 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203 Email: jicho(a)vt.edu<mailto:jicho@vt.edu> Phone: (703) 538-8302 (ex: 88302) Homepage: http://people.cs.vt.edu/~jicho/ Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wToVkEUAAAAJ&hl=en&authuser=1<https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wToVkEUAAAAJ&hl=en&authuser=1> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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CS|Source Events, Announcements, and Opportunities
by Hodge, Julie 03 Feb '26

03 Feb '26

[cid:image001.png@01DC94FD.E7957240] Network with Deloitte's Engineers When: Monday, February 10 | 3:30 - 5:00 PM Where: Kelly Hall 310 Meet Deloitte practitioners-all proud Hokies!-and explore exciting opportunities in engineering consulting, including: * Full-time roles for graduating seniors * Internship roles for juniors * Tips on staying connected with Deloitte This is a small-group, Q&A-friendly event where you can chat directly with practitioners and get your questions answered. Stop by anytime between 3:30 and 5:00 PM to network and learn more. Register here<https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjehW…> to let us know you're planning to attend! Note: Roles discussed at this event are open to U.S. citizens only due to the sector represented ____________ Julie Hodge | Strategic Relationships Manager Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science (0106) 3160-S Torgersen Hall, 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 540 231 1666 | jdhodge(a)vt.edu<mailto:jdhodge@vt.edu> [cid:image002.jpg@01DC94FD.E7957240]

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FW: Could you please share this announcement?
by Kinder, Sharon 03 Feb '26

03 Feb '26

From: Graduate and Professional Student Senate <gpss-resc(a)vt.edu> Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 10:47 AM Subject: Re: Could you please share this announcement? Hello, again, Graduate Program Administrators, Apologies for the multiple emails. We are sorry that the QR code on one of the flyers became corrupted and stopped working. Could you please re-share the updated flyer with the graduate students in your department? We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your help. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Student Rights: https://forms.office.com/r/M3H1wkuzi1 [cid:image001.jpg@01DC94FB.02753490] GPSS Executive Board [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FD3zmdrc1n06paimCqyDY9vuptLOz9NdfQRrNVLZ7…] President | Pooja Bhagawat Vice President | Gyang Chung Director of Communications | Taylor Peele Director of Advocacy | Mohammed El Kihal Director of Events | Brian Chan Director of Programs | Megan Grey Director of Finance | Kelsey Jennings Advisor | Lauren Surface www.gpss.vt.edu<http://www.gpss.vt.edu/> | gpss(a)vt.edu<mailto:gpss@vt.edu> | Instagram: @VTGPSS<https://www.instagram.com/vtgpss/> ________________________________ From: Graduate and Professional Student Senate <gpss-resc(a)vt.edu<mailto:gpss-resc@vt.edu>> Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 9:06 AM Subject: Could you please share this announcement? Hello Graduate Program Administrators, We hope you are doing well. We would like to highlight two upcoming events that GPSS will be hosting and kindly ask that you share this information with the graduate students in your department. Thank you very much for your continued support! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [cid:image002.jpg@01DC94FB.02753490][cid:image003.jpg@01DC94FB.02753490] Grad Student Leadership Retreat: www.tinyurl.com/vtgradretreat<https://www.tinyurl.com/vtgradretreat> International Student Rights: https://forms.office.com/r/M3H1wkuzi1 GPSS Executive Board President | Pooja Bhagawat Vice President | Gyang Chung Director of Communications | Taylor Peele Director of Advocacy | Mohammed El Kihal Director of Events | Brian Chan Director of Programs | Megan Grey Director of Finance | Kelsey Jennings Advisor | Lauren Surface www.gpss.vt.edu<http://www.gpss.vt.edu/> | gpss(a)vt.edu<mailto:gpss@vt.edu> | Instagram: @VTGPSS<https://www.instagram.com/vtgpss/>

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Fw: College of Science Seeks Applicants for Summer Science Camps Counselors
by Sirles, Andrea 03 Feb '26

03 Feb '26

Good morning! Forwarding the below opportunity to serve as camp counselors for summer science camp. Deadline to apply is Feb. 16 by 9am. Please reach out to Victoria Corbin, 540-232-8705 or cvictoria(a)vt.edu<mailto:cvictoria@vt.edu>, with any questions. Best, Andrea Sirles, Graduate Program Coordinator Virginia Tech | Computer Science Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Dr., Suite 1180 asirles(a)vt.edu<mailto:asirles@vt.edu> | (540) 231-8945 ----------------------------------- The College of Science seeks applicants for Camp Counselors for five science camps for middle school and high school students in the summer of 2026. We need counselors for day and overnights. Applicants can apply for one or both positions and for one or more camps. Both undergraduates and graduate students are encouraged to apply here<https://app.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/10660665?utm_source=web&utm_campa…> on handshake! Applicants should log in to their Virginia Tech Handshake account to access the application. Dates of employment: Mandatory Training: Spring 2026 (~3 hr. online) Sat., April 25 (5 hr. in-person, on campus) Camps campers Dates * Explore Science rising 7-8th grades Sun. June 28 to Thurs. July 2 Explore Life Science rising 11-12th grades Sun., July 5 to Thurs. July 9 Explore Physical Science rising 11-12th grades Sun., July 12 to Thurs. July 16 Explore Science Day rising 7-8th grades Mon., July 20 to Fri. July 24 Explore Science rising 9-10th grades Sun. July 26 to Thurs. July 30 * Camp descriptions, and tentative schedules can be found at: https://www.science.vt.edu/get-involved/camps.html To complete the application, you will need to upload PDF copies of: 1) your resume and 2) a completed and signed Student Conduct Release form. A blank release form can be found here: <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EjLBe96ZxJmensLowt7-wiHpOs-0u_3S/view?usp=…> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EjLBe96ZxJmensLowt7-wiHpOs-0u_3S/view?usp=… You can print, sign and scan a PDF of the form -OR- electronically sign the form and save as a PDF; printed or typed names on the signature line cannot be accepted. Important dates: · Monday, Feb 16 at 9:00 am: Deadline for complete applications, including resume and a completed and signed Student Conduct Release form. · Wednesday, February 20: notification of interview; please contact your references to make sure they are willing and able to talk to us during the week of March 2. · Monday- Friday, March 2-6: Interviews, ideally in person on campus · Successful candidates will be notified by March 11. All offers will be contingent upon passing a background check. Students may take one summer school class if it does not interfere with the work requirements. Any questions regarding the hiring process or a particular camp should be addressed to Victoria Corbin, 540-232-8705 or cvictoria(a)vt.edu<mailto:cvictoria@vt.edu>. Best, Victoria Corbin, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Outreach & Student Engagement Associate Professor, Biological Sciences College of Science, Virginia Tech 540-232-8705 https://www.science.vt.edu/get-involved/camps.html https://www.science.vt.edu/get-involved/teacher-workshops.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "COE Grad Coordinators" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coe-grad-coordinators-g+unsubscribe(a)vt.edu<mailto:coe-grad-coordinators-g+unsubscribe@vt.edu>. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/msgid/coe-grad-coordinators-g/IA1PR05M…<https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/msgid/coe-grad-coordinators-g/IA1PR05M…>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/vt.edu/d/optout.

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