Dr. Dmitry Zhdanov, a leading researcher and cybersecurity professor at the School of Information Technology, has been awarded the 2024 INFORMS Information Systems Society Haim Mendelson Teaching Innovation Award by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).

INFORMS is the leading international association for professionals in operations research, analytics, management science, economics, behavioral science, statistics, artificial intelligence, data science, applied mathematics, and other relevant fields.

The INFORMS Teaching Innovation Award recognizes an outstanding information systems academic who has made significant pedagogical contributions to the discipline.

“As of today, there are only 13 winners, and they are some of the brightest and most accomplished professors I know. Having my efforts recognized along those names is an amazing experience,” said Zhdanov. “It is very gratifying to know that the field of information systems is considering cybersecurity as a relevant teaching area. With the proliferation of data analytics and artificial intelligence in the recent years, it is important to protect our data, privacy, and civil rights.”

Zhdanov currently serves as the State Farm Endowed Chair in Cybersecurity. Prior to that, he served as an assistant professor of computer information systems at Georgia State University and assistant professor of computer information systems for the Department of Operations and Information Management at the University of Connecticut.

Zhdanov cited Illinois State’s full degree offering for cybersecurity as one of his main motivators to join Illinois State’s School of Information Technology.

“Most often it is a track or an elective in other programs. I enjoy the opportunity to spend more time with the students and get in depth on some topics that would not receive attention at other institutions,” he said.

Reflecting on the onset of his career in cybersecurity, Zhdanov credited his knack for learning from experience as a key contributor to his continuing prowess.

“I was one of those kids who liked to take toys apart and put them back together leaving a few parts off. Later, it grew into figuring out what can go wrong and why,” he reflected. “Once the internet arrived, I was one of the first online and one of the first to be hacked. Since then, I’ve been arguing that security awareness is essential for everyone, and this translated to my teaching and research.”

Zhdanov’s research speaks of his passion for socially responsible computing.

His research in cybersecurity, published in the flagship journal of the information systems discipline, MIS Quarterly, looks at counterintuitive cybersecurity issues such as why a company would outsource its security protections or how personal data is being shared online without a user’s explicit consent.

He also has research in energy informatics and sustainability published in Production and Operations Management and multiple conference proceedings in addition to research in artificial intelligence published in Decision Support Systems.

As he continues to pioneer ethical AI research, Zhdanov is keen on ensuring that science is continually a force for good in the world.

“I have several research streams which broadly align under the umbrella of socially responsible computing. I love to explore opportunities that are created by new technologies while also studying the unintended consequences that technologies can generate,” he said.

In addition to the INFORMS Information Systems Society’s Haim Mendelson Teaching Innovation Award, Dr. Zhdanov has also been awarded the Distinguished Contribution in Teaching Award by Georgia State University, as well as the Undergraduate Teaching Award and Innovation in Teaching Award from the University of Connecticut.

Speaking on how students can be prepared for careers in cybersecurity, Zhdanov highlighted the need for emphasis on experiential learning and encouraging the use of artificial tools.

“I would advise students to build their practical skills, network with others and to be patient., he said. “Your first job may not have a cybersecurity title—it may be in other areas of information technology. As long as you focus on developing your skills and building relationships, you will get the job you want sooner than later.”

Learn more about the cybersecurity course and explore the School of Information Technology at Illinois State.