About the Event
What is CS Expo?
FSU CS Expo 2026 is a department-wide event that brings together students, faculty, alumni, and guests to celebrate research, share ideas, and build connections across the computer science community.
The expo features poster presentations, invited talks, graduate research presentations, and opportunities to engage with current work happening across the department. It is designed to showcase student achievements while creating space for discussion, feedback, and networking.
We welcome student participation through both posters and talks. If you would like to present your work, please use the registration forms below.
Program
Event Schedule
Breakfast and Coffee
Start the day with coffee, breakfast, and conversation.
Opening Remarks
Welcome and kickoff for Expo 2026.
Opening Keynote
Always Do What’s Next - A Computer Science Approach to Cybersecurity
Mr. Ben Finke, CTO, OnDefend
Abstract: Our goal as computer scientists is to provide safe and useful technologies for all people to use, although we have yet to achieve the “safe” part of that. We’ll examine some of the reasons for that and what the next generation of cybersecurity professionals are doing to fix it. Ben will discuss this topic from his experience both as a computer scientist and as providing these services commercially. Find out if Ben is a fan of threat models (he is) and Phishing tests (he isn’t), as well as how the introduction of ever-increasing threats impacts our ability to provide a safe set of systems for our society to use.
Poster Session
Explore student research and connect with presenters.
Job Seeking Advice Panel (Remote Available)
Bing Jiao (Google) and Md Muhib Khan (Meta).
Lunch
Lunch break and informal networking.
Distinguished Talk
From Computer Science to Impact: Systems Thinking in an AI-Accelerated World
Mr. Michael Alvarado, Chief Growth Officer, Akima and NANA Regional Corporation
Abstract: A computer science education develops far more than the ability to write code. It trains students to decompose complex systems, apply systems thinking, reason under uncertainty, and persist through ambiguity — skills that translate across industries and leadership roles. In this talk, FSU Computer Science alumnus Michael Alvarado reflects on how the analytical rigor developed through computer science can become a lifelong force multiplier, enabling impact in fields ranging from national security and government technology to finance, business development, and corporate strategy.
Drawing on experiences across industry and leadership, the talk explores why technically strong professionals sometimes plateau, how business literacy expands the influence of technologists, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way software is built and how organizations innovate. The session concludes with practical guidance for students on how to maximize the long-term impact of their computer science education in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Coffee Break
Recharge and reconnect.
Graduate Research Talks
Research presentations from graduate students.
Bofan Li
Lin Jiang
Inge Estefania Guerrero
Yan Zhang
Marco Heflin
Xin Shu
Pankaj Bhattarai
Zhankai Ye
Lucas Rafael Zavalia
Tanha Kabir Koly
Pramesh Regmi
Break
Short transition before closing.
Awards and Conclusion
Celebrate achievements and wrap up the expo.
Featured Sessions
Highlights
Opening Keynote
CTO, OnDefend
Ben Finke (fink) is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at OnDefend and the Program Director of the Independent Security Inspector (ISI) for TikTok USDS. With over 20 years of experience in information security, he has led research, testing, advisory, and security program development across industries.
He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Florida State University and regularly speaks at public and industry events throughout the southeast.
CS Graduate Class 2004
Distinguished Talk
Chief Growth Officer, Akima
Michael Alvarado is the Chief Growth Officer at Akima, where he leads strategy and growth across a $3B+ portfolio supporting national security, technology, engineering, operations, and sustainment missions for federal and commercial clients.
He is passionate about building high-performing teams and translating strategy into measurable results. Throughout his career, Michael has worked at the intersection of technology, business, and leadership — helping organizations scale, pursue new opportunities, and solve complex challenges.
Prior to joining Akima, Michael spent 16 years at Jacobs, where he led growth and strategy for a $5B global line of business spanning space, intelligence, defense, energy, and telecommunications markets. He began his career at Sandia National Laboratories, where he conducted research and development in augmented cognition and satellite navigation.
Michael holds a Master of Engineering in Computer Science with a concentration in Machine Learning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Florida State University. As an FSU alumnus, he is especially excited to be back on campus to share his journey and perspectives with the next generation of innovators.
CS Graduate Class 2002