Purdue Polytechnic’s Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar has been named a recipient of Purdue’s 2023 Jefferson Award.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Tatiana Ringenberg earned the title of “Boilermaker” four times — as an alumna with bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees, all from Purdue, and now as a faculty member in the Department of Computer and Information Technology.

Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar, associate professor of computer and information technology, has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar for her work in cybersecurity — specifically, for her upcoming research that will analyze the criminological differences and online grooming strategies of child sexual exploitation offenders in Spain, train Spanish law enforcement officers, and conduct community safety seminars.

Since 2018, Purdue Polytechnic faculty have been collaborating to explore the intersection between learning and work within the context of technology. Through new approaches to education and workforce training and development, their ongoing “Future Work and Learning” research aims to empower employees to take charge of their careers and become active, successful professionals and members of society.

Umit Karabiyik, assistant professor of computer and information technology, is researching ways for people to limit the data they share with law enforcement. His research could help preserve security and privacy while reducing the vast quantity of data that law enforcement agencies have to manage.

Since 2018, scientists in Purdue Polytechnic’s strategic research impact areas have been working to solve challenges in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure that affect global economics, security and health. Faculty members in the Holistic Safety and Security team are building on research that has received national attention and funding.

Inspired by the successful partnership between Purdue Polytechnic’s Department of Computer and Information Technology and the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s office, Governor Eric Holcomb signed the High Tech Crime Unit Bill, which will lead to the creation of 10 civilian-based high-tech crime units around Indiana.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Marcus Rogers, Umit Karabiyik and Fahad Salamh earned a patent for their method of automating the collection of cloud-based digital forensic evidence.

Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar, associate professor of computer and information technology, fights crime using cyberforensics, a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to evidence found in computers and digital storage media.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Design and Innovation Challenge, a showcase for students to incorporate human-centered design during the creation of working prototypes of new products, went virtual in 2020.