Curriculum Vitae
Last updated: March 2026
Mohamed Moustafa Dawoud
Security & Privacy Researcher
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering
University of California, Santa Cruz
Advisor: Prof. Ramakrishnan (Ram) Sundara Raman
Focus: Human-Centered Security, Privacy, and Responsible AI
M.S. in Computer Science & Engineering
University of California, Santa Cruz
Advisor: Prof. Ramakrishnan (Ram) Sundara Raman
Focus: Thesis committee: Prof. Ram Sundara Raman (Chair), Prof. Alvaro A. Cardenas, Prof. David T. Lee, Dr. Alejandro Cuevas
B.Sc. in Informatics and Computer Science
German International University (GIU), Cairo
Focus: Excellent with High Honors · Major: Information Security · Full Merit Scholarship
ONGOING PROJECTS
AI Privacy & Regulation Study
UC Santa Cruz (RANDLab) & Stanford University
Qualitative study examining how practitioners navigate privacy challenges and emerging regulations (EU AI Act, CCPA, GDPR) when building and deploying AI products. Conducting confidential interviews with professionals across privacy, compliance, engineering, and risk roles.
EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Researcher
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Research on human-centered security, privacy, and AI governance under Prof. Ram Sundara Raman. Leading the AI Privacy & Regulation Study with Stanford University.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Lead GTA for COSC 55: Security & Privacy. Designed AI-integrated teaching model with oral evaluations for 28 students.
Research Associate
Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Research on combating deepfakes and responsible AI. Investigated user mental models with AI-generated content.
Research Intern
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
Systems security research under Prof. Brendan D. Saltaformaggio. Contributed to USENIX Security 2024 publication.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of South Florida
Remote
Cybercrime research with Prof. C. Jordan Howell on RaaS marketplaces. Published in Computers in Human Behavior.
Information Security Intern
The German University in Cairo (GUC)
Cairo, Egypt
Applied security research on cryptography and IoT/IoMT security under Prof. Wassim Alexan. Published multiple papers.
TALKS & PRESENTATIONS
AI-Enabled NSFW Deepfakes on Fiverr
USEC 2026 (co-located with NDSS 2026)
San Diego, CA · Workshop Talk
SERVICE & OUTREACH
Co-founder & Lead Maintainer, Egyptians in CS Research
egyptians-in-cs.github.io
Community directory of 262 Egyptian computer science researchers across 16 research tracks worldwide. Expanded scope from AI to all of CS in collaboration with the original creator Badr AlKhamissi.
AAAS CASE Workshop Delegate
Washington, D.C.
One of four graduate students selected to represent Dartmouth College at the AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop; engaged with policymakers on science, technology, and public policy.
Conference Volunteer
IEEE Secure Development Conference (SecDev)
Supported session logistics and attendee coordination at IEEE SecDev 2023, Atlanta, GA.
PhD Application Mentorship
Ongoing
Mentor a select cohort of prospective PhD applicants in Computer Science and related fields each application cycle. Provide personalized feedback on application materials (SoP, research statements, CVs), help define research focus and target programs, and advise on overall application strategy.
Dartmouth Guarini School Student Spotlight
Dartmouth College
Featured by Dartmouth's Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, discussing research in human-centered security and privacy, the journey from Zefta, Egypt to Dartmouth, and advocacy for international students in STEM policy.