2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Cybersecurity as an Engineering Problem in Electrical and Computer Engineering Education: An NSF REU Site Evaluation

Presented at Electrical and Computer Engineering Division (ECE) Technical Session 19

This paper evaluates the impact of an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a hands-on platform for cybersecurity research. Across three cohorts (Summer 2023, 2024, 2025; n=30), participants completed 17 research projects spanning cyber-physical threats and defenses (e.g., RF fingerprinting, GPS spoofing detection, and ML-enabled security), resulting in six publications, including a 2025 IEEE CARS 3rd Best Paper Award. Using mixed-methods evidence from the Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) surveys and student reflections, we examine changes in research skills, graduate school readiness, and career knowledge. Post-program data indicate consistently high confidence in collaboration and communicating results (2023 post means: 4.25 and 4.00, respectively), meaningful gains in graduate pathway knowledge in 2024 (e.g., finding an advisor +0.94; selecting research areas +0.72; understanding graduate school +0.45), and the largest pre-post improvements in self-assessed research skills in 2025, particularly in research dissemination. Findings also highlight actionable areas for program refinement, including earlier project scoping, additional mid-program feedback, and differentiated technical workshops. Overall, results suggest that UAV-centered, mentored research experiences can strengthen the cybersecurity workforce pipeline by building technical competency, research identity, and preparedness for graduate study and research careers.

Authors

Dr. Laxima Niure Kandel Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach [biography]

Dr. Laxima Niure Kandel is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. She directs the CANDEL research group and is a leadership member at the Center of Aerospace Resilient Systems (CARS). Her research focuses on cybersecurity, GPS spoofing and detection, physical‑layer authentication, digital forensics, and AI/ML applications for secure and resilient cyber‑physical systems. She has led and co‑led multiple externally funded research and education initiatives, including awards from the NSF and FAA, and actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students through research projects, Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, and workforce development activities.
Dr. Mustafa Ilhan Akbas http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5450-3522 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach [biography]

Dr. M. Ilhan Akbas is an associate professor at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, director of FICS research group, co-director of WIDE Lab, and a member of the leadership at the Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems (CARS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). His research is on complex systems, autonomy, machine learning and their applications on cyber-physical systems, which operate in dynamic/uncertain environments while maintaining efficiency, safety and securit. He received his Ph.D in Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Things Laboratory. His background also includes defense communications systems and enterprise level software development experience. His research has secured funding through grants from agencies such as National Science of Foundation, Federal Aviation Administration, US Air Force, Office of Naval Research, as well as industry, which also resulted in more than 30 journal and 80 conference publications. He is a senior member of IEEE, and a member of ACM, AIAA, SAE, International Alliance for Mobility Testing and Standardization, Complex Systems Society and Cyber Safety Commercial Aviation Team.
Prof. Eduardo Antonio Rojas Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach [biography]

Dr. Rojas earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Florida, all in Electrical Engineering; in 2014 and 2017, respectively. He joined the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2017 where he is currently an assistant professor. His r
Dr. Ibrahim H. Yeter http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0175-2306 Nanyang Technological University [biography]

Ibrahim H. Yeter, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) in the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was a faculty member at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow at Purdue University and Harvard University. He previously served as an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Education and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Research and Practice in Technology-Enhanced Learning. He is also the outgoing Program Chair of the PCEE Division at ASEE. His research focuses on STEM+C education, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence literacy, computational thinking, and engineering education.
Dr. Omar Ochoa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2072-5610 Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach [biography]

Dr. Omar Ochoa is an Associate Professor of Software Engineering and Computer Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Ochoa leverages a decade of industry experience at the Army Research Lab, IBM, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to impact student teaching. His research been supported by external funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Navy, and Air Force Research Lab, and is focused on Software Engineering, AI/ML, Cybersecurity and STEM Education. Dr. Ochoa has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, mentored numerous undergraduate students, and more than 50 graduate students including 13 Ph.D. students.

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