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Ryan Gillen

Biography

As Manager of The Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity, Ryan helps oversee & optimize all research, projects, and grants at the center. Also an adjunct professor in CNCS, he teaches an advanced topics course & Enterprise Virtualization. Previously, as Project Manager for Cyber Range, Ryan led a student team dedicated to designing cyber attack simulations for The United States Secret Service. Prior to that, his experience as a Security Engineer involved delivering security services to Vermont organizations.

Student focused, Ryan is thoroughly passionate about maximizing the student experience, their professional growth, and helping LC graduates land great jobs.

Ryan’s current interests in the field are: The intersections of AI & Cybersecurity, Adversary Simulation, Red Team Operations, and automation.

Hobbies

Backcountry snowboarding, boating, and swimming

Favorite things to do in Vermont

Fav food: Kismayo Kitchen, Rt. 7 Liquor & Deli, Laliguras
Best spots in VT: Bolton Valley, Huntington River, Starr Farm Beach

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Zoltan Sachs

Biography

Starting with his immigration from Hungary at a young age, Zoltan’s life story is marked by transitions, each building on the skills and experiences from the previous one. His time in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller not only gave him a foundation in managing critical situations but also prepared him for the complexities of managing computer centers during the infancy of the digital age.

His role at the University of Vermont’s computer center during the 1980s, a pivotal time in the development of computing technology, highlights his early engagement with technology. This experience set the stage for his subsequent position at SymQuest Group, where he started an intrapreneurial business that generated significant recurring revenue, demonstrating not just his technical acumen but also his business savvy and innovation.

After SymQuest, Zoltan’s move to lead a recurring revenue practice within an e-commerce company underscores his adaptability and foresight in navigating the tech industry’s evolution. His subsequent role as IT Director at a global bioscience company before returning to academia at Champlain College reflects a broadening of his interests and skills, bridging technology with science and education.

Throughout his career, Zoltan’s commitment to community service, exemplified by his involvement with local nonprofits and community justice initiatives, adds a dimension to his professional achievements. It’s a testament to the belief that success is not just about individual advancement but also about lifting others and giving back to the community.

Zoltan’s engagement with activities like sailboat racing, wreck diving, skiing, and working on cars and electronics shows a love for challenges outside the workplace. These hobbies, alongside his dedication to family and friends, round out an individual whose professional success is in harmony with personal fulfillment and community impact.

Zoltan has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business, an MBA in Information Technology, and a Project+ Certification.

What are your hobbies?

Sailing, sailboat racing, technology, mechanics, wreck diving

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Adam Goldstein

Biography

Adam Goldstein is an Associate Professor and an Academic Program Director in Cybersecurity at Champlain College. He also serves as Academic Director of the Leahy Center for Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity at Champlain where he helps oversee undergraduate students working on a wide range of projects. Adam has vast industry experience as an information security officer having previously established cybersecurity operation programs at Dartmouth College and Villanova University. With over 20 years’ experience in information security at institutions of higher education and a background in systems and network engineering, he has a thorough understanding of the unique security challenges in the modern enterprise. Adam received his BA from Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Norwich University, and a Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensic Science from Champlain College. He is a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Outside of work, Adam is an avid distance runner and greatly enjoys living and exploring the Green Mountains of Vermont with his family.

Distinctions & Awards

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
RRCA – Road Runners Club of America: Certified Distance Running Coach

Curriculum Vitae

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Favorite Quote

“Cybersecurity is not just about protecting your data, it’s about protecting your freedom.”

—Laura Galante

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Ali Hadi

Biography

Ali Hadi, an accomplished and experienced Senior Cybersecurity Specialist, possesses over 14 years of professional experience in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. Currently, he holds the position of Associate Professor and serves as the Computer and Digital Forensics Program Director at Champlain College in Vermont, USA. Ali is also the Research Director at the Leahy Center, where he leads all research activities. Additionally, he is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Cyber 5W. Ali holds a PhD and MSc degree in Computer Information Systems, along with a BSc degree in Computer Science. Throughout his career, he has obtained more than 20 professional certifications, making him highly qualified in the field of cybersecurity. With expertise in digital forensics, incident response, adversary simulation, offensive security, and malware analysis, Ali is in high demand as a cybersecurity consultant. He is also recognized as an accomplished author, speaker, and freelance instructor, providing technical training to government agencies, private firms, and other organizations. Ali remains a prominent figure in the digital forensics community and is committed to advancing forensics education and research.

Distinctions & Awards

Hard to list everything here, but the last was an acknowledged by the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) for the IoT Research we are working on at the Leahy Center.

Publications & Abstracts

• • Publications
  • Linux DFIR Research Publications

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

“Reflections on Trusting Trust,” Ken Thompson’s ACM Turing Award 1984

Curriculum Vitae

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Favorite Quote

“Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons, with the greatest for the last.”

—Sherlock Holmes

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Mariam Khader

Biography

Mariam Khader is an Assistant Professor at Champlain College, USA, who is highly recognized for her expertise in Computer Science, IT Security, and Digital Criminology. She has earned her PhD and MSc in the respective fields and is currently a researcher at the Leahy Center, where she focuses on Mobile and Operating System Forensics. Her research has been published in numerous international journals and presented at various conferences. In addition to working as a course author and speaker, Mariam has also worked as a freelance instructor, providing technical instruction to government and private firms as well as other organizations. She has obtained many professional certifications, such as CHFI, ECIH, CCNA, CCME, CCO, CMFF, CCPA, AIM, and OCF. And currently serves as a member of SWGDE.

As a professor at Champlain College, Mariam have embraced the Learning by Doing approach. By assigning students tasks that require students to learn how and why to do the task as they complete it, the tasks become more engaging and memorable, thus helping them develop essential success skills.

Publications & Abstracts

Publications & Abstracts

CV

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Murat Gungor

Biography

Dr. Gungor holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer and Information Science, which he obtained in 2006 and 2001 respectively, from Syracuse University in New York. He also holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Sakarya University in Turkey, which he completed in 1997.

Dr. Gungor brings a wealth of experience to his current position at Champlain College, having previously taught Software Engineering courses at both Bilkent University and TOBB University in Ankara, Turkey. In addition to his academic background, he has also held various positions in the industry, ranging from researcher and software engineer to project manager and director.

His primary areas of expertise include object-oriented programming, software architecture, design and development, structural analysis, and quality improvement.

Favorite Quote

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?”

—Rumi

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Joe Eastman

Biography

Joe is a passionate and experienced technical teacher with a diverse range of interests spanning a large spectrum of technical and non-technical disciplines. He is also dedicated to numerous outreach initiatives, business development, cultivating opportunities for students, and helping others most any way he can.

In his classroom, Joe strives to provide every student with an equal opportunity to succeed. He achieves this by using divergent teaching methods that cater to a wide range of learning styles, and by removing barriers that may stand in the way of his students’ success.

In addition to his teaching, Joe is available for program, technical, research, career, and general life advice. He offers earnest moral support and guidance to anyone who needs it, both inside and outside of the classroom.

With his years of academic and industry focus, Joe is repeatedly described as a valuable asset to Champlain’s community, as well as the Northeast region supporting hundreds of students every year. He is passionate about helping others succeed, and is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the tools and resources they need to achieve their goals. If you bring the hustle, then he will help you develop your best cyber self.

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Furkan Paligu

Biography

Furkan Paligu is an assistant professor of computer networking and cybersecurity in Champlain College. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Marmara University, Master’s degree in Cybersecurity Engineering from Istanbul Sehir University, and Doctorate degree in Digital and Cyber Forensics Science from Sam Houston State University. He has taken part in various information technology and cybersecurity projects in governmental institutions. An extensive part of his work has been focused on large scale projects in complex domains including data leak prevention systems, voice translation engines, customer application and management systems, static code analyzers, malware scanning systems operating on cloud architecture, electronic signature systems, and electronic cash registers.

Publications & Abstracts

PUBLICATIONS & ABSTRACTS

Curriculum Vitae

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