IoTalentum - H2020 MSCA ITN European Training Network on IoT

ESR1 – Catalina-Ioana Stan – Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Her research focuses on resource optimization in advanced networks through edge computing and quantum key distribution techniques.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Resource Allocation for Edge Computing and Quantum Key Distribution in Advanced Networks

Supervisors
Prof.dr.ir. I. Tafur Monroy (promotor)
Dr.ir. S. Rommel (co-promotor)
Dr.ir. J.J. Vegas Olmos (co-promotor)

Doctoral program and university
Department of Electrical Engineering
Eindhoven University of Technology

Current status
Defended on 23/06/2025

Additional Information
URL to the Thesis: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/resource-allocation-for-edge-computing-and-quantum-key-distributi

Key publications arising from her work are:

Publications in journals

• C. Stan, D. Verchere, J. J. Vegas Olmos, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Dynamic-threshold-based pre-relaying for enhanced key allocation in quantum-secured networks,” Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 233–248, Mar. 2025. doi: 10.1364/JOCN.544857.
• C. Rubio Garcia, A. Cano Aguilera, C. Stan, J. J. Vegas Olmos, S. Rommel, and I. Tafur Monroy, “Enhanced network security protocols for the quantum era: Combining classical and post-quantum cryptography, and quantum key distribution,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 2025, doi: 10.1109/JSAC.2025.3568011.
• J. Perez Santacruz, E. Meyer, R. X. F. Bude, C. Stan, A. Jurado-Navas, U. Johannsen, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Outdoor mm-wave 5G/6G transmission with adaptive analog beamforming and IFoF fronthaul,” Scientific Reports, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 13 945, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40112-w. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/outdoor-mm-wave-5g6g-transmission-with-adaptive-analog-beamformin
• M. Alvarez Roa, C. Stan, S. Verschoor, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Efficiency comparison of two key relaying architectures in quantum key distribution networks,” Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, 2025 [in press].

Contributions to conferences

• C. Stan, D. Verchere, J. J. Vegas Olmos, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Key allocation strategies in quantum-secured networks,” in Optica Advanced Photonics Congress 2025, Optica Publishing Group, 2025, [in press]. (Invited contribution).
• C. Stan, S. Rommel, J. J. Vegas Olmos, and I. Tafur Monroy, “Computation offloading in beyond 5G/6G networks with edge computing: Implications and challenges,” in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023, pp. 473–479. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_47. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/computation-offloading-in-beyond-5g6g-networks-with-edge-computin
• C. Stan, S. Rommel, I. De Miguel, J. J. Vegas Olmos, R. J. Duran, and I. Tafur Monroy, “5G radio resource allocation for communication and computation offloading,” in 2023 Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications & 6G Summit (EuCNC/6G Summit), 2023, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/EuCNC/6GSummit58263.2023.10188281. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/5g-radio-resource-allocation-for-communication-and-computation-of
• C. Stan, C. Rubio Garcia, B. Cimoli, J. J. Vegas Olmos, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Securing communication with quantum key distribution: Implications and impact on network performance,” in Optica Advanced Photonics Congress 2022, Optica Publishing Group, 2022, SpW2J.2. doi: 10.1364/SPPCOM.2022.SpW2J.2. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/securing-communication-with-quantum-key-distribution-implications-2
• C. Stan, D. Verchere, J. J. Vegas Olmos, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “Resource allocation strategies in quantum key distribution networks,” in GLOBECOM 2024 - 2024 IEEE Global Communications Conference, 2024, pp. 2797–2802. doi: 10.1109/GLOBECOM52923.2024.10901703. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/resource-allocation-strategies-in-quantum-key-distribution-networ
• C. Rubio Garcia, O. Bouchmal, C. Stan, et al., “Secure and agile 6G networking – Quantum and AI enabling technologies,” in 2023 23rd International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), 2023, pp. 1–4. doi: 10.1109/ICTON59386.2023.10207418. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/secure-and-agile-6g-networking-quantum-and-ai-enabling-technologi
• C. Stan, J. J. Vegas Olmos, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Rommel, “A deep reinforcement learning approach for computation offloading at the 5G network edge,” in IEEE Benelux Photonics Chapter, 2022. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/a-deep-reinforcement-learning-approach-for-computation-offloading
• C. Stan, A. Domeke, C. Rubio Garcia, I. Tafur Monroy, and J. J. Vegas Olmos, “Improving the flexibility of 5G heterogeneous networks by slicing,” in 2021 IEEE International Mediterranean Conference on Communications and Networking (MeditCom), 2021, pp. 65–69. doi: 10.1109/MeditCom49071.2021.9647586. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/improving-the-flexibility-of-5g-heterogeneous-networks-by-slicing
• B. Pismenny, J. J. Vegas Olmos, Y. Zack, L. Liss, A. Domeke, C. Stan, C. Rubio Garcia, I. Tafur Monroy, P. Kokkinos, A. Kretsis, and M. Varvarigos, “Securitization of cloud, edge and IoT communications through hardware accelerations/offloadings,” in 2021 IEEE International Mediterranean Conference on Communications and Networking (MeditCom), 2021, pp. 61–64. doi: 10.1109/MeditCom49071.2021.9647500. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/securitization-of-cloud-edge-and-iot-communications-through-hardw

Awards:

Best Student Paper Award at 2023 Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications & 6G Summit (EuCNC/6G Summit) (2023) for the paper: “5G radio resource allocation for communication and computation offloading.”

ESR2 – Oumayma Bouchmal – Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Her research explores quantum computing approaches to routing and spectrum allocation in advanced optical networks, particularly within the 6G context. The work combines theoretical innovation with simulation and algorithmic modeling, contributing significantly to the field of software-defined networking and quantum-enhanced network optimization.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Quantum Computing for Routing Optimization in Next Generation Communication Networks.

Supervisors
Prof. Idelfonso Tafur Monroy
Prof. Ripalta Stabile
Dr. Bruno Cimoli
Dr. Juan Jose Vegas Olmos

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Electrical Engineering
Eindhoven University of Technology

Current status
Defended on 02/07/2025

Additional Information
URL to the Thesis: https://research.tue.nl/nl/publications/quantum-computing-for-routing-optimization-in-next-generation-com/

Her main publications include:

Publications in journals

• O. Bouchmal, Cimoli, B., Stabile, R., Vegas Olmos, J. J., & Tafur Monroy, I. (2023). “From classical to quantum machine learning: Survey on routing optimization in 6G software-defined networking”. Frontiers in Communications and Networks, 4, 1220227. doi:10.3389/frcmn.2023.1220227. Available online https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communications-and-networks/articles/10.3389/frcmn.2023.1220227/full
• O. Bouchmal, Cimoli, B., Stabile, et al., (2024). “Novel Application of Quantum Computing for Routing and Spectrum Assignment in Flexi-Grid Optical Networks”. Photonics, 11(11), doi: 10.3390/photonics11111023. Available online: https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11111023
• O. Bouchmal, Cimoli, B., Stabile, R., Olmos, J. V., & Monroy, I. T. (2025). “Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm Applied to Multi-Objective Routing for Large Scale 6G Networks”. Elsevier Computer Networks journal (COMNET), 257, 111345. doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2025.111345. Available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comnet.2025.111345
• O. Bouchmal, B. Cimoli, R. Stabile et al. (2025), “A Quantum computing approach for multi- objective routing and spectrum assignment optimization”. Journal of Optical Communications and Networking 17.6 (2025): B15-B27. doi: 10.1364/JOCN.552061. Available online: https://doi.org/10.1364/JOCN.552061

Contributions to conferences

• O. Bouchmal, B. Cimoli, R. Stabile, J.J.V. Olmos, & I.T. Monroy. (2022). ”A QAOA- based solution for routing optimization for optical networks in 6G”. In 26th Annual Symposium of the IEEE Photonics Society Benelux. Available online: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/a-qaoa-based-solution-for-routing-optimization-for-optical-networ
• O. Bouchmal, B. Cimoli, R. Stabile, J.J.V. Olmos, & I.T. Monroy. (2022). “Quantum-Inspired Network Optimization in 6G: Opportunities, Challenges and Open Research Directions”. In Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023, pp. 480–488. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_48 Available online: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_48
• C. Rubio Garcia, O. Bouchmal, C. Stan, P. Giannakopoulos, B. Cimoli, J. J. Vegas Olmos, S. Rommel, and I. Tafur Monroy, "Secure and Agile 6G Networking: Quantum and AI Enabling Technologies," in Proc. of 23rd International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), August 2023, paper 10207418. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICTON59386.2023.10207418 Available:
  https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10207418
  https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/secure-and-agile-6g-networking-quantum-and-ai-enabling-technologi
• O. Bouchmal, B. Cimoli, R. Stabile, J.J.V. Olmos, & I.T. Monroy. (2024, May). “Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm for Routing Optimization in 6G Optical Networks”. In 2024 International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modeling (ONDM) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. doi: https://doi.org/10.23919/ONDM61578.2024.10582687 Available online: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10582687https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/quantum-approximate-optimization-algorithm-for-routing-optimizati

ESR3 – Soheil Hosseini – Universidad de Valladolid (UVa)

His research addresses the optimization of resource allocation and protection strategies in multiband elastic optical networks, with a focus on energy efficiency, network migration and SLA-differentiated resilience.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Optimization Techniques for Planning and Operation of the Next Generation of Elastic Optical Networks.

Supervisors
Prof. Ramón Duran Barroso
Dr. Ignacio de Miguel

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Information Technology and Telecommunications
Universidad de Valladolid

Current status
Defended on 17/02/2025

Additional Information
Mark Obtained Upon Defense: “Sobresaliente Cum Laude” (Outstanding, Cum Laude Mention)
URL to the Thesis(if available): https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/75493

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Noemí Merayo, Óscar González de Dios, Rubén M. Lorenzo, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Enabling Service Level Agreement-Differentiated Protection in C+L Multiband Optical Networks,” IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 6, pp. 316-331, January 2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3520234
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Noemí Merayo, Ramón de la Rosa, Rubén M. Lorenzo, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Energy Efficient Multipath Routing in Space Division Multiplexed Elastic Optical Networks,” Computer Networks, 244C, 110349, May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110349
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Óscar González de Dios, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Migration of elastic optical networks to C+L bands subject to a partial upgrade of the number of EDFAs,” Journal of Optical Communications and Networking (JOCN); Multiband Special Issue, Vol. 15, No. 11, pp. F22-F35, October 2023. https://doi.org/10.1364/JOCN.493231

Contributions to conferences

• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramon Casellas, Raul Muñoz, Evaristo J. Abril, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Optimizing Transceiver Usage in Multiband Elastic Optical Networks via SLA-Differentiated Protection”, Global Information Infrastructure and Networking Symposium (GIIS), IEEE, Dubai, UAE, 25-27 February 2025. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10922043, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76169
• Soheil Hosseini, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Ignacio de Miguel, Óscar González de Dios, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, “Protection Methods Analysis in a Hybrid C/C+L Optical Network,” International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), IEEE, Bari, Italy, 14-18 July 2024. (Invited contribution) https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10648116, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76160
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Óscar González de Dios, Juan Pedro Fernández-Palacios, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Dilemma for Multi-Band Network Migration: Single-Band or Multi-Band Transceivers,” International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modelling (ONDM), IEEE, Madrid, Spain, 6-9 May 2024. https://opendl.ifiptc6.org/db/conf/ondm2024/ondm2024/1570996414.pdf, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76159
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Óscar González de Dios, Noemí Merayo, Juan Pedro Fernández-Palacios, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Dynamic Restoration Assessment in Partially Upgraded Networks from the C to the C+L bands,” International Conference on the Design of Reliable Communication Networks (DRCN), IEEE, Montreal, Canada, 6-9 May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/DRCN60692.2024.10539152, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76156
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Noemí Merayo, Óscar González de Dios, Maryam Masoumi, Hafiza Kanwal Janjua, Juan Carlos Aguado Manzano, Patricia Fernández, “Multi-Band Elastic Optical Networks: Overview and Recent Contributions from the IoTalentum Project,” International Conference on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), Special Session, Guimaraes, Portugal, 12-14 July 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_46, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62379
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Óscar González de Dios, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Edward Echeverry, Patricia Fernández, Rubén M. Lorenzo, Evaristo J. Abril, “An ILP formulation for Partially Upgrading Elastic Optical Networks to Multi-Band,” International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modeling (ONDM), IEEE, Coímbra, Portugal, 8-11 May 2023. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10144883, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62304
• Soheil Hosseini, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Ignacio de Miguel, Óscar González de Dios, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Edward Echeverry, Patricia Fernández, Rubén M. Lorenzo, Evaristo J. Abril, “Migration Strategy from C-Band Elastic Optical Network to C+ L Multiband Optical Network,” International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (ITNAC), IEEE, Wellington, New Zealand, 30 November - 2 December 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/ITNAC55475.2022.9998374, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62350
• Soheil Hosseini, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Ignacio de Miguel, Óscar González de Dios, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Edward Echeverry, Patricia Fernández, Rubén M. Lorenzo, Evaristo J. Abril, “SLA-Differentiated Protection in Multi-Band Elastic Optical Networks,” IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC), Vancouver, Canada, 13-17 November 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/IPC53466.2022.9975777, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62359
• Soheil Hosseini, Ignacio de Miguel, Noemí Merayo, Óscar González de Dios, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, “Survivability against Amplifier Failures in Multi-band Elastic Optical Networks,” Asia Communications and Photonics Conference (ACP), IEEE, Shenzhen, China, 5-8 November 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACP55869.2022.10088543, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62361
• Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Ignacio de Miguel, Camilo Anzola, Soheil Hosseini, Maryam Masoumi, Hafiza Kanwal Janjua, Miguel Silva, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Alfonso Bahillo, Patricia Fernández, Rubén Lorenzo, Evaristo J. Abril, “A Simplified MILP Framework for Task Offloading in Vehicular Networks,” 2024 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI). In press.
• Maryam Masoumi, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Soheil Hosseini, Hafiza Kanwal Janjua, Noemí Merayo, Juan Carlos Aguado, Rubén M. Lorenzo, "Efficient protected VNF placement and MEC location selection for dynamic service provisioning in 5G networks," In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 448-456. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_44, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62378
• Hafiza Kanwal Janjua, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Maryam Masoumi, Soheil Hosseini, Juan Carlos Aguado, Noemí Merayo, Evaristo J. Abril, "A framework for next generation cloud-native SDN cognitive resource orchestrator for IoTs (NG2CRO)," In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 399-407. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_39, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62380

ESR4 – Mohammadreza Taghilu & Carmen Martín Gallo – WindTre (WindTre)

This ESR position was held by two individuals: Mohammadreza Taghilu and Carmen Martín Gallo. Mohammadreza Taghilu left the project after a one-year contract, and it is not possible to complete a PhD within such a short period. Moreover, no publications were achieved during Mohammadreza Taghilu’s time in the project.

Subsequently, Carmen Martín Gallo was contracted for the remaining one year of the project. Although this period is also insufficient to complete a PhD, Carmen Martín Gallo actively participated in research and training activities. One paper is currently being prepared for submission to a journal.

ESR5 – Maryam Masoumi Estahbanati – Universidad de Valladolid (UVa)

Her research focuses on the strategic deployment of Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) and the dynamic orchestration of resources in mobile and industrial edge networks, contributing to enhanced reliability and responsiveness in 5G environments.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Edge Computing-Enabled Networks: Strategic MEC Deployment and Dynamic Task Scheduling

Supervisors
Prof. Ramón J. Durán Barroso
Prof. Ignacio de Miguel Jiménez

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Tecnologías de la Información y las Telecomunicaciones
Universidad de Valladolid

Current status
Defended on 09/07/2025

Additional Information
Mark Obtained Upon Defense: Not available at the close of
URL to the Thesis (if available): In press. It will be available soon at https://uvadoc.uva.es You can search by title or author; it will appear shortly after the deliverable is submitted.

Her main publications include:

Publications in journals

• M. Masoumi, I. de Miguel, F. G. Brasca, N. Merayo, R. M. Lorenzo and R. J. Durán Barroso, “Leveraging Load Balance Metrics to Unravel the Impact of Multi-Access Edge Computing Locations on Online Dynamic Network Performance,” in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 5, pp. 5635-5651, 2024, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3453972. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10663681
• M. Masoumi, E. Carmona-Cejudo, I. de Miguel, C. Torres-Pérez and R. J. Durán Barroso, “Dynamic Joint Scheduling of Movement and Data Processing Tasks Using Extreme-Edge Computing in Multi-AGV Scenarios,” submitted to IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society (under review, 2nd round)

Contributions to conferences

• M. Masoumi, I. De Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, L. Ruiz, F. Brasca, G. Rizzi, N. Merayo et al. “Dynamic online VNF placement with different protection schemes in a MEC environment,” In 2022 32nd International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (ITNAC), pp. 1-6. IEEE, 2022. Available: 10.1109/ITNAC55475.2022.9998347. (Honourable Mention Award) https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62354
• M. Masoumi, I. De Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, S. Hosseini, H. K. Janjua, N. Merayo, J. C. Aguado, and R. M. Lorenzo. "Efficient protected VNF placement and MEC location selection for dynamic service provisioning in 5G networks." In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 448-456. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_44, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62378
• S. Hosseini, I. de Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, N. Merayo, Ó. G. de Dios, M. Masoumi, H. K. Janjua, J. C. Aguado Manzano, and P. Fernández. "Multi-band Elastic Optical Networks: Overview and Recent Contributions from the IoTalentum Project." In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 467-472. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_46, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62379
• H. K. Janjua, I. de Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, M. Masoumi, S. Hosseini, J. C. Aguado, N. Merayo, and E. J. Abril. "A framework for next generation cloud-native SDN cognitive resource orchestrator for IoTs (NG2CRO)." In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 399-407. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_39, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62380
• M. Maryam, F. Brasca, E. Bonfani, G. Rizzi, I. De Miguel, and R.J. Durán Barroso. "MEC in the 5G Era: Enhancing Reliability Through Backup Strategies and Technology Integration." In 2024 24th International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), pp. 1-4. IEEE, 2024. Available: 10.1109/ICTON62926.2024.10648015, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76168 (Invited contribution)
• M. Becattini, L. Carnevali, F. Giovanni, L. Paroli, L. Scommegna, M. Masoumi, I. de Miguel, and F. Brasca. "Dynamic MEC resource management for URLLC in Industry X.0 scenarios: a quantitative approach based on digital twin networks." In 2024 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 & IoT (MetroInd4.0 & IoT), pp. 372-376. IEEE, 2024. Available: 10.1109/MetroInd4.0IoT61288.2024.10584165, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76162
• R. J. Durán Barroso, I. de Miguel, C. Anzola, S. Hosseini, M. Masoumi, H. K. Janjua, M. Silva, N. Merayo, J. C. Aguado, A. Bahillo, P. Fernández, R. Lorenzo, E. J. Abril. “A Simplified MILP Framework for Task Offloading in Vehicular Networks.” 2024 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI). In press.

Awards:

Honourable Mention Award presented to Maryam Masoumi and co-authors for the paper entitled “Dynamic Online VNF Placement with Different Protection Schemes in a MEC Environment,” presented at the 32nd International Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (ITNAC), Wellington, New Zealand, 2022

ESR6 – Liesbeth Roelens – Telefónica I+D (TID)

Her work explores mechanisms for resilience and intelligent automation in software-defined transport networks, with a particular focus on Segment Routing and SDN orchestration in multi-domain environments.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Resilient self-learning software-defined 5G-ready transport networks [Provisional title]

Supervisors
Dr. Ramón J. Durán Barroso
Dr. Ignacio de Miguel Jiménez
Dr. Óscar González de Dios

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Telecommunications and Information Technologies
Universidad de Valladolid

Current status
In preparation (Expected submission date: 06/2026)

Her main publications include:

Publications in journals

• Óscar González de Dios, Pablo Armingol Robles, Liesbeth Roelens, Alejandro Muñiz Da Costa, Ignacio de Miguel, Ramón J. Durán Barroso, Juan Pedro Fernandez-Palacios, "Automation of Multi-Layer Multi-Domain Transport Networks and the Role of AI," J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 16, D76-D85 (2024). https://opg.optica.org/jocn/fulltext.cfm?uri=jocn-17-2-A124&id=566449
• Pablo Armingol Robles, Óscar González de Dios, Juan Pedro Fernandez-Palacios Giménez, Luis M. Contreras, Liesbeth Roelens, Alejandro Muñiz Da Costa, Javier Velázquez Martínez, and David De La Osa Mostazo, "Transport SDN architecture for multi-layer transport slicing," J. Opt. Commun. Netw. 16, D76-D85 (2024). https://opg.optica.org/jocn/abstract.cfm?uri=jocn-16-8-D76

Contributions to conferences

• L. Roelens, Ó. G. d. Dios, I. d. Miguel, E. Echeverry and R. J. D. Barroso, "Performance Evaluation of TI-LFA in Traffic-Engineered Segment Routing-Based Networks," 2023 19th International Conference on the Design of Reliable Communication Networks (DRCN), Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain, 2023, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/DRCN57075.2023.10108280. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10108280, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62310
• Roelens, Liesbeth & Costa, Alejandro & Gonzalez de Dios, Oscar. (2023). “Telefónica I+D’s Roadmap for Integrated SDN Orchestration of Multi-domain Multi-layer Transport Networks”. Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference. DCAI 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 741. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_49. Available: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_49, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372643561_Telefonica_ID's_Roadmap_for_Integrated_SDN_Orchestration_of_Multi-domain_Multi-layer_Transport_Network
• Gonzalez de Dios, Oscar & Giménez, Juan & Casellas, Ramon & Roelens, Liesbeth. (2024). “Demonstration of Multi-Tenant Optical Transport Network Slicing with T-API”. 2024 15th International Conference on Network of the Future (NoF), pp. 154-158. DOI: 10.1109/NoF62948.2024.10741493. Available Online: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10741493, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385618535_Demonstration_of_Multi-Tenant_Optical_Transport_Network_Slicing_with_T-API
• Óscar González de Dios, Pablo Armingol Robles, Liesbeth Roelens, Alejandro Muñiz Da Costa, Juan Pedro Fernandez-Palacios, "AI-based Automation of Multi-layer Multi-domain Transport Networks," 2024 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition, OFC 2024, March 2024. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10526616

ESR7 – Hafiza Kanwal Janjua – Universidad de Valladolid (UVa)

Her research focuses on the development of intelligent orchestration systems for Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) environments and 5G infrastructures, with emphasis on AI-driven decision-making and dynamic network resource management.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Cognitive Orchestrator for MEC and underlying Network [Provisional title]

Supervisors
Dr. Ramón José Durán Barroso
Dr. Ignacio de Miguel

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Information Technologies and Telecommunications
Universidad Valladolid

Current status
In preparation (Expected date: December 2025)

Her main publications include:

Publications in journals

Three papers are currently being prepared for submission to international journals.

Contributions to conferences

• H. K. Janjua, I. de Miguel, R.J. Durán Barroso, O. González de Dios, J.C. Aguado, N. Merayo, P. Fernández, R.M. Lorenzo, "Efficient Optimization of Actor-Critic Learning for Constrained Resource Orchestration in RAN with Network Slicing," 2023 26th Conference on Innovation in Clouds, Internet and Networks and Workshops (ICIN), Paris, France, 2023, pp. 100-104, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIN56760.2023.10073489. Available online: https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62320
• H. K. Janjua, I. de Miguel, R.J. Durán Barroso, M. Masoumi, S. Hosseini, J.C. Aguado, N. Merayo, E.J. Abril, "A Framework for Next Generation Cloud-Native SDN Cognitive Resource Orchestrator for IoTs (NG2CRO)" Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference. DCAI 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 741. Springer, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_39. Available online: https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62380
• M. Masoumi, I. De Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, S. Hosseini, H. K. Janjua, N. Merayo, J. C. Aguado, and R. M. Lorenzo. "Efficient protected VNF placement and MEC location selection for dynamic service provisioning in 5G networks." In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 448-456. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_44. https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62378
• S. Hosseini, I. de Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso, N. Merayo, Ó. G. de Dios, M. Masoumi, H. K. Janjua, J. C. Aguado Manzano, and P. Fernández. "Multi-band Elastic Optical Networks: Overview and Recent Contributions from the IoTalentum Project." In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, pp. 467-472. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_46. https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62379
• R. J. Durán Barroso, I. de Miguel, C. Anzola, S. Hosseini, M. Masoumi, H. K. Janjua, M. Silva, N. Merayo, J. C. Aguado, A. Bahillo, P. Fernández, R. Lorenzo, E. J. Abril. “A Simplified MILP Framework for Task Offloading in Vehicular Networks.” 2024 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI). In press.

ESR8 – Francesco Taurone – Aarhus University (AU)

His work spans both theoretical and applied approaches, with contributions to anomaly detection, local differential privacy, and distributed data systems.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Interplays between Compression, Privacy and Analytics for the Internet of Things

Supervisors
Daniel Enrique Lucani Rötter
Qi Zhang

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Computer Engineering
Aarhus University

Current status
Submitted on 30/06/2025

Additional Information
URL to the Thesis: https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/interplays-between-compression-privacy-and-analytics-for-the-inte

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• F. Taurone, D. E. Lucani, and Q. Zhang, “Zeal -Differential Privacy Mechanism for IoT Enhancing Compression Efficiency,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, p. 1, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2025.3565175. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10988623

Contributions to conferences

• F. Taurone, M. Fehér, M. Sipos, and D. E. Lucani, “TREAT - Two wRongs makE A righT: efficient distributed storage and queries of IoT datasets with erasure coding and compression,” in Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Distributed and Event-Based Systems, in DEBS ’24. Villeurbanne, France: Association for Computing Machinery, 2024, pp. 147–158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3629104.3666039. https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/treat-two-wrongs-make-a-right-efficient-distributed-storage-and-q
• F. Taurone, J. Dorsch, D. Lucani, and Q. Zhang, “triaGeD: using compression for anomaly detection,” in 2024 Data Compression Conference (DCC), 2024, p. 588. doi: 10.1109/DCC58796.2024.00105. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10533748
• F. Taurone, J. Dorsch, Q. Zhang, and D. E. Lucani Rötter, “TRIC: Triage Compressed Data at the Edge for Efficient Data Transmission in Anomaly Detection,” in IEEE Globecom Workshops, IEEE, 2024. https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/tric-triage-compressed-data-at-the-edge-for-efficient-data-transm
• F. Taurone, D. E. Lucani, M. Fehér, and Q. Zhang, “Change a Bit to Save Bytes: Compression for Floating Point Time-Series Data,” in ICC 2023 - IEEE International Conference on Communications, IEEE, May 2023, pp. 3756–3761. doi: 10.1109/ICC45041.2023.10279204. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.04478, https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/change-a-bit-to-save-bytes-compression-for-floating-point-time-se
• F. Taurone, D. E. Lucani Rötter, M. Fehér, and Q. Zhang, “Lossless preprocessing of floating point data to enhance compression,” in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference. DCAI 2023, in Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems. Netherlands: Springer, 2023, pp. 457–466. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_45. https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/lossless-preprocessing-of-floating-point-data-to-enhance-compress
• F. Taurone, D. E. Lucani, and Q. Zhang, “Zip to Zip-It: Compression to Achieve Local Differential Privacy,” in GLOBECOM 2023 - 2023 IEEE Global Communications Conference, 2023, pp. 2196–2201. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM54140.2023.10437448. https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/publications/zip-to-zip-it-compression-to-achieve-local-differential-privacy

ESR9 – Mieszko Jan Ferens Michalek – Aalborg University (AAU)

His research centers on hardware-based security mechanisms for IoT, with a particular focus on the application of Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and machine learning techniques to improve authentication robustness in constrained devices.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Practical and Low-Cost Authentication using Physical Unclonable Function in Resource-Constrained IoT Devices

Supervisors
Dr. Sokol Kosta (Main supervisor)
Dr. Edlira Dushku (Co-supervisor)

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Aalborg University

Current status
Submitted on 14/06/2025

Additional Information
The ESR has submitted his thesis, and a Ph.D. committee is actively assessing it. The thesis is in the form of a compilation of papers, and all necessary materials are already published (with additional papers under review). The defence is planned for the 05/09/2025.

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• M. Ferens, E. Dushku and S. Kosta, “When Random is Bad: Selective CRPs for Protecting PUFs against Modeling Attacks,” IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems (TCAD), vol. 44 (5), Nov 2024. doi: 10.1109/TCAD.2024.3506217. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10767354
• M. Ferens, E. Dushku, and S. Kosta, “A Systematic Review of Modeling of Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF),” Proceedings of the IEEE (submitted for publication, May 2025).

Contributions to conferences

• M. Ferens, E. Dushku and S. Kosta, “ML for Attack and Defense of PUFs: Current Status and Future Directions,” in 20th International Conference on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), Special Sessions I, Guimaraes, Portugal, Jul 2023, pp. 389-398. Available: https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/754179652/paper_PUFsStatusAndDirections_DCAI_accepted.pdf
• M. Ferens, E. Dushku and S. Kosta, “Securing PUFs against ML Modeling Attacks via an Efficient Challenge-Response Approach,” in IEEE Conference on Computer Communications Workshops (INFOCOM WKSHPS), New York, USA, Aug 2023, pp. 1-6. Available: https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/769592163/Zero_Cost_CRPs_INFOCOM23_cameraReady.pdf
• M. Zanitti, M. Ferens, A. Ferrarin, F. Trovò, V. Miskovic, A. Prelaj, M. Shen and S. Kosta, “MetaLung: Towards a Secure Architecture for Lung Cancer Patient Care on the Metaverse,” in IEEE International Conference on Metaverse Computing, Networking and Applications (MetaCom), Kyoto, Japan, Nov 2023, pp. 201-208. Available: MetaLung_Towards_a_Secure_Architecture_for_Lung_Cancer_Patient_Care_on_the_Metaverse.pdf
• M. Ferens, D. Hortelano, I. Miguel, R. J. Durán Barroso and S. Kosta, “STEROCEN: Simulation and Training Environment for Resource Orchestration in Cloud-Edge Networks,” in International Conference on Networks of the Future (NoF), Casteldefels, Spain, Nov 2024, pp. 133-141. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10741443, https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76157
• M. Ferens, E. Dushku and S. Kosta, “On the Feasibility of Deep Reinforcement Learning for Modeling Delay-based PUFs,” in International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob), Paris, France, Dec 2024, pp. 421-428. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10770392
• M. Ferens, E. Dushku, S. Srinivasa and S. Kosta, “Securing PUFs via a Predictive Adversarial ML System by Modeling of Attackers,” in Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC), Honolulu, USA, Mar 2024, pp. 353-365. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10917828
• M. Ferens, E. Dushku, S. Rommel, I. Tafur Monroy, and S. Kosta, “PU-QKD: Enhancing Authentication of Quantum Key Distribution via Physical Unclonable Function,” in IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) (submitted for publication, Apr 2025).

ESR10 – Carlos Rubio García – Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

His research addresses the urgent need for secure communication systems in the face of quantum computing threats.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Network Protocols for Quantum-Resistant Communications

Supervisors
prof.dr.ir. I. Tafur Monroy (TUe)
dr.ir. S. Rommel (TUe)
dr.ir. J.J. Vegas Olmos (Nvidia)

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Electrical Engineering
Technological University of Eindhoven

Current status
Defended on 06/06/2025

Additional Information
URL to the Thesis: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/network-protocols-for-quantum-resistant-communications

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• C. R. Garcia, A. C. Aguilera, C. Stan, J. J. Vegas, S. Rommel and I. T. Monroy, "Enhanced Network Security Protocols for The Quantum Era: Combining Classical and Post-Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Key Distribution," in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2025.3568011. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11002706
• Garcia, C. R., Rommel, S., Takarabt, S., Olmos, J. J. V., Guilley, S., Nguyen, P., & Monroy, I. T. (2024). Quantum-resistant transport layer security. Computer Communications, 213, 345-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comcom.2023.11.010. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140366423004012
• Cano Aguilera, A., Rubio Garcia, C., Lawo, D., Imaña, J. L., Tafur Monroy, I. & Vegas Olmos, J. J., 11 Sept 2024, In: Scientific Reports. 14, 1, 10 p., 21227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71861-x. Available: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-71861-x

Contributions to conferences

• C. Rubio Garcia, A. Cano Aguilera, J. J. Vegas Olmos, S. Rommel, and I. Tafur Monroy, "91.1Gbit/s Quantum Resistant Ipsec Programmable Encryptor," in Proc. of Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC), April 2025, paper TU2D.3. Available: https://opg.optica.org/abstract.cfm?uri=OFC-2025-Tu2D.3
• A. Cano Aguilera, C. Rubio Garcia, D. C. Lawo, I. Tafur, J. L. Imaña, and J. J. Vegas Olmos, "First Demonstration of 200 Gbps Regime Line-Rate Quantum-Secure MACsec Optical Links Using Commodity Hardware Offloads," in Proc. of Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC), 2025. Available: https://opg.optica.org/abstract.cfm?uri=OFC-2025-Tu2D.2
• A. Cano Aguilera, C. R. Garcia, R. Frantz, I. T. Monroy, J. L. Imaña, and J. J. Vegas, "Integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography Plugins for IPsec Offloads to Data Processing Units in the Cloud-Edge Continuum," in Proc. of IEEE 32nd International Conference on Network Protocols (ICNP), February 2024, pp. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICNP61940.2024.10858568. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10858568, https://docta.ucm.es/entities/publication/d28072b3-7d40-41a6-8fdd-d4e3adb3da30
• J. M. Rivas-Moscoso et al., "A Security Plane Architecture for Ultra-Low-Energy, High-Capacity Optical Transport Networks," in Proc. of International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing (QCNC), August 2024, pp. 231–235. https://doi.org/10.1109/QCNC62729.2024.00044. Available: https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/a-security-plane-architecture-for-ultra-low-energy-high-capacity-
• A. C. Aguilera et al., "First Line-rate End-to-End Post-Quantum Encrypted Optical Fiber Link Using Data Processing Units (DPUs)," in Proc. of Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC), March 2024, paper M1G.4. https://doi.org/10.1364/OFC.2024.M1G.4. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10526974, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/first-line-rate-end-to-end-post-quantum-encrypted-optical-fiber-l
• C. Rubio Garcia et al., "Integrating Quantum Key Distribution into TLS 1.3: A Transport Layer Approach to Quantum-Resistant Communications in Optical Networks," in Proc. of Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC), March 2024, paper Th3B.3. https://doi.org/10.1364/OFC.2024.Th3B.3. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10527171, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/integrating-quantum-key-distribution-into-tls-13-a-transport-laye
• C. R. Garcia et al., "Quantum-Resistant TLS 1.3: A Hybrid Solution Combining Classical, Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography," in Proc. of IEEE CAMAD, 2023, pp. 246–251. https://doi.org/10.1109/CAMAD59638.2023.10478407. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10478407, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/quantum-resistant-tls-13-a-hybrid-solution-combining-classical-qu
• C. Rubio Garcia et al., "Enhancing the Security of Software Defined Networks via Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography," in Proc. of Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference, July 2023, pp. 428–437. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_42
• C. Rubio Garcia et al., "Secure and Agile 6G Networking: Quantum and AI Enabling Technologies," in Proc. of 23rd International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), August 2023, paper 10207418. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICTON59386.2023.10207418. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10207418, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/secure-and-agile-6g-networking-quantum-and-ai-enabling-technologi
• C. Rubio Garcia et al., "Quantum Secured Control Plane Communications," in Proc. of IEEE Photonics Benelux Annual Symposium, 2022. https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/quantum-secured-control-plane-communications
• C. Stan et al., "Securing Communication with Quantum Key Distribution: Implications and Impact on Network Performance," in Proc. of Optica Advanced Photonics Congress, November 2022. https://doi.org/10.1364/SPPCOM.2022.SpW2J.2. Available: https://opg.optica.org/abstract.cfm?uri=SPPCom-2022-SpW2J.2, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/securing-communication-with-quantum-key-distribution-implications-2
• C. Stan et al., "Improving the flexibility of 5G heterogeneous networks by slicing," in Proc. of IEEE MeditCom, December 2021, pp. 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1109/MeditCom49071.2021.9647586. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9647586, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/improving-the-flexibility-of-5g-heterogeneous-networks-by-slicing
• B. Pismenny et al., "Securitization of cloud, edge and IoT communications through hardware accelerations/offloadings," in Proc. of IEEE MeditCom, December 2021, pp. 61–64. https://doi.org/10.1109/MeditCom49071.2021.9647500. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9647500, https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/securitization-of-cloud-edge-and-iot-communications-through-hardw

ESR11 – Muhammad Waleed – Aalborg University (AAU)

His thesis explores secure and scalable identity management for resource-constrained IoT environments, introducing the Secure Batch Data Assisted IOTA (SBDI) and IDIA systems as innovative solutions to reduce latency, energy consumption, and computational overhead in decentralized authentication.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Decentralized Authentication and Identification Techniques for IoT Devices

Supervisors
Dr. Sokol Kosta (Associate Professor)
Dr. Knud Erik Skouby (Professor Emeritus)

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Aalborg University Copenhagen

Current status
Defended on 24/01/2025.

Additional Information
Mark Obtained Upon Defense: Pass
URL to the Thesis (if available): https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/768132372/PHD_MW_ONLINE.pdf

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• M. Waleed, S. Kosta, and K. E. Skouby, “Analysis of Edge Intelligent Frameworks and their Security Issues,” Journal of Mobile Multimedia, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13052/jmm1550-4646.1916
• M. Waleed, K. E. Skouby, and S. Kosta, “Towards Novel Smart Ocean Data Collection: A Secure Batch Data Concept in IOTA,” IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. (minor revisions, resubmitted)
• M. Waleed, T. Kamal, T.-W. Um, A. Hafeez, B. Habib, and K. E. Skouby, “Unlocking Insights in IoT-Based Patient Monitoring: Methods for Encompassing Large-Data Challenges,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 15, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23156760
• M. Qasim, M. Waleed, T.-W. Um, P. Pahlevani, J. M. Pedersen, and A. Masood, “Diving Deep With BotLab-DS1: A Novel Ground Truth-Empowered Botnet Dataset,” IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 28898-28910, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3367122. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10439154

Other publications (book chapters…)

• M. Waleed, K. E. Skouby, and S. Kosta, “Performance Analysis of the IOTA Chrysalis on Heterogeneous Devices,” in Blockchain and Applications, 5th International Congress, BLOCKCHAIN 2023, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol. 778, Springer, Cham, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45155-3_41
• M. Waleed, K. E. Skouby, and S. Kosta, “Decentralized Identifiers for IoT Systems: Current Status and Future Vision,” in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference, DCAI 2023, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol. 741, Springer, Cham, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_40
• M. Waleed, K. E. Skouby and S. Kosta, "IDIA: IOTA and Decentralized Identifiers Assisted Authentication in Smart Oceans," 2024 20th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob), Paris, France, 2024, pp. 414–420, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/WiMob61911.2024.10770467. (Student Best Paper Award)
• M. Msaad, M. Waleed, and S. Kosta, “Enabling LoRaWAN Communication with Out-of-coverage End Nodes in DTN Scenarios Through an Optimised Duty-cycle,” in H. Farag, Ed., 14th CMI International Conference - Critical ICT Infrastructures and Platforms, CMI 2021 - Proceedings, IEEE, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CMI53512.2021.9663774

Contributions to conferences

• M. Waleed and S. Kosta, “Decentralized Identity for IoT Systems,” in Encyclopedia of Cryptography, Security and Privacy, S. Jajodia, P. Samarati, and M. Yung, Eds. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27739-9_1801-1

Awards

Best Student Paper Award at 20th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob) 2024 “IDIA: IOTA and Decentralized Identifiers Assisted Authentication in Smart Oceans.”

ESR12 – Mahmoud Abbasi – Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

Mahmoud Abbasi’s research focuses on improving IoT security and scalability by integrating blockchain protocols with intelligent network monitoring. His work contributes to the design of secure, decentralized infrastructures and introduces novel mechanisms for IoT data classification and industrial data exchange.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Secure and scalable IoT via optimized blockchain protocols and intelligent network monitoring within the IoTalentum framework [Provisional title]

Supervisors
Dr. Juan Manuel Corchado Rodríguez
Dr. Javier Prieto Tejedor

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Computer Engineering
University of Salamanca

Current status
In preparation (Expected defense date: September 2025)

Her main publications include:

Publications in journals

• Abbasi, Mahmoud, et al. "Class Imbalance in Network Traffic Classification: An Adaptive Weight Ensemble-of-Ensemble Learning Method." IEEE Access (2025). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3538170. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10870109
• Abbasi, Mahmoud, et al. "Unleashing the potential of knowledge distillation for IoT traffic classification." IEEE Transactions on Machine Learning in Communications and Networking 2 (2024): 221–239. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMLCN.2024.3360915. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10417087/
• Abbasi, Mahmoud, et al. "Industrial data monetization: A blockchain-based industrial IoT data trading system." Internet of Things 24 (2023): 100959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iot.2023.100959. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542660523002822
• Abbasi, Mahmoud, et al. "Security in the internet of things application layer: requirements, threats, and solutions." IEEE Access 10 (2022): 97197–97216. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3205351. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9882112

Contributions to conferences

• Mahmoud Abbasi, et al. "A Smart Contract-Based Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading System." International Congress on Blockchain and Applications. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81928-5_4. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-81928-5_4
• Mahmoud Abbasi, et al. "Proof-of-resource: A resource-efficient consensus mechanism for IoT devices in blockchain networks." EAI Endorsed Transactions on Internet of Things 10 (2024). https://doi.org/10.4108/eetiot.6565. Available: https://publications.eai.eu/index.php/IoT/article/view/6565
• Mahmoud Abbasi, Javier Prieto, and Juan Manuel Corchado. "Network Automation: From Intent-Based Networking to Cloud-Native Networking." International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_41. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_41
• Mahmoud Abbasi, et al. "A novel aging-based proof of stake consensus mechanism." Sustainable Smart Cities and Territories International Conference. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36957-5_5. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-36957-5_5
• Yeray Mezquita, Marta Plaza-Hernández, Mahmoud Abbasi, Javier Prieto. "Cryptocurrencies, systematic literature review on their current context and challenges." International Congress on Blockchain and Applications. Springer, Cham, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21229-1_16. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-21229-1_16
• Mahmoud Abbasi, Marta Plaza-Hernández, and Yeray Mezquita. "Security of IoT application layer: Requirements, threats, and solutions." International Symposium on Ambient Intelligence. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22356-3_9. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-22356-3_9

ESR13 – Ubaid ur Rehman – Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP)

Ubaid ur Rehman’s research focuses on the development of intelligent energy management models, combining IoT-based monitoring systems with smart grid and smart building optimization strategies. His work explores the potential of machine learning, forecasting, and decentralized energy trading to enable more sustainable and efficient infrastructures.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Energy management models for smart grids and smart buildings supported by internet of thing device [Provisional title]

Supervisors
Prof. Dr. Zita Vale
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Corchado

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Computer Engineering
University of Salamanca, Spain

Current status
In preparation (Expected submission date: 07/2025)

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• U. ur Rehman, P. Faria, L. Gomes, and Z. Vale, "Future of energy management systems in smart cities: A systematic literature review," Sustainable Cities and Society, vol. 96, p. 104720, Sept. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104720
• Rehman, U. ur, Faria, P., Gomes, L. et al. "Future of Energy Management Models in Smart Homes: A Systematic Literature Review of Research Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions." Process Integr Optim Sustain (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-025-00506-x
• One more paper under preparation

Contributions to conferences

• Ubaid ur Rehman, Pedro Faria, Luis Gomes, Zita Vale. "Artificial Neural Network Based Efficient Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Systems". 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/eeeic/icpseurope54979.2022.9854613. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362819405_Artificial_Neural_Network_Based_Efficient_Maximum_Power_Point_Tracking_for_Photovoltaic_Systems

ESR14 – Sebastián López Flórez – Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

His research focuses on applying advanced artificial intelligence techniques, particularly deep reinforcement learning, to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in microgrid systems.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
His research focuses on applying advanced artificial intelligence techniques, particularly deep reinforcement learning, to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in microgrid systems.

Supervisors
Fernando de la Prieta Pintado
Guillermo Hernández González

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in COMPUTER ENGINEERING
University of Salamanca

Current status
In preparation (Expected submission date: 12/2025)

His main publications include:

Publications in journals

• Martín, D. G., Florez, S. L., González-Briones, A., & Corchado, J. M. (2023). “COSIBAS Platform—Cognitive Services for IoT-Based Scenarios: Application in P2P Networks for Energy Exchange”. Sensors, 23(2), 982. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23020982. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/2/982
• Abbasi, M., Florez, S. L., Shahraki, A., Taherkordi, A., Prieto, J., & Corchado, J. M. (2025). “Class Imbalance in Network Traffic Classification: An Adaptive Weight Ensemble-of-Ensemble Learning Method”. IEEE Access. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3538170. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10870109
• Sebastian López Flórez, Guillermo Hernández, Javier Prieto, Fernando de la Prieta, “Hybrid Physics-LSTM Framework for Wind Power Prediction and Control in Virtual Microgrid Simulations,” IEEE Access. In press.

Contributions to conferences

• Flórez, S. L., Hernández, G., González-Briones, A., & de la Prieta, F. (2023, July). “AI-Optimized Energy Management for More Efficient and Sustainable Microgrids”. In International Symposium on Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence (pp. 438–447). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_43. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_43

ESR15 – Danny Bwalya – Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

Danny Bwalya’s research focuses on the development and optimization of energy aggregation approaches and business models within smart grids. His work contributes to the design of efficient systems for reducing surplus energy through intelligent aggregation frameworks.

PhD Thesis

Title of the PhD thesis
Development of new energy aggregation models for smart grids to reduce surplus energy to near zero [Provisional Title]

Supervisors
Dr. Manuel Azevedo (Main Supervisor)
Dr. Zita Vale (Co-supervisor)
Dr. Emilio Santiago Corchado (Academic Supervisor)

Doctoral program and university
Doctoral Program in Marine Power and Propulsion
University of Salamanca

Current status
In preparation (Expected submission date: 11/2025)

His main publications include:

Contributions to conferences

• D. Bwalya, M. Azevedo, Z. Vale and E. S. Corchado, “Exploring the Cutting-Edge of Energy Aggregation Approaches and Business Models,” in Mehmood, R., et al. Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Special Sessions I, 20th International Conference. DCAI 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol. 741. Springer, Cham, Switzerland, July 2023, pp. 497–505. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38318-2_50