Dr. Sherif Abdelwahed is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), specializing in autonomic computing and the model-based design and analysis of cyber-physical systems. His research focuses on developing innovative solutions to enhance the reliability and security of complex computing systems, addressing challenges in areas such as formal verification, system diagnosis and fault analysis, and model-integrated computing. Dr. Abdelwahed earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto. On Tuesday, he shared insights on “Building a Connected Future: Advancing OpenCyberCity for Collaborative Research, Education and Innovation.”
Dr. Abdelwahed’s presentation centered on the development of VCU’s smart city testbed and the expansion of the communication and analytics systems powering its command and control center. He introduced OpenCyberCity as a collaborative platform for testing next-generation technologies in real-world urban environments, enabling researchers and students to simulate and study complex, interconnected systems. Dr. Abdelwahed detailed how the testbed supports innovations in traffic monitoring, emergency response, environmental sensing, and more, all while prioritizing security and interoperability. He also highlighted his startup, which received funding from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Central Virginia Node. Dr. Abdelwahed’s work is accelerating the path toward intelligent infrastructure that supports safer, more responsive, and more sustainable communities.
