Collins Munyendo

a Kenyan male with black hair and a black and grey shirt

CS PhD Candidate at GW

Email: cmunyendo[at]gwu.edu

Research Interests: Computer Security, Usable Security and Privacy, Human-Computer Interaction

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About Me

I am a final year Computer Science PhD Candidate in the Usable Security and Privacy Lab at the George Washington University where I am fortunate to be advised by Adam Aviv. I previously spent two wonderful summers at the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy where I really enjoyed working with Yixin Zou and Elissa Redmiles. My research interests are in human-centered security and privacy. I use both qualitative and quantitative methods to study and improve the security, privacy, and safety of users in three main ways:

  1. Authentication: I investigate how users authenticate across multiple domains, designing systems that improve both security and usability.
  2. Technology Harms: I study harms caused by current and emerging technologies e.g., AI and predatory apps, finding ways to protect users.
  3. Underserved Users: I explore the unique needs of underserved users e.g., majority world users, developing solutions that protect all users.
I publish at top venues in security and privacy (IEEE S&P, USENIX Security), human-computer interaction (CHI), and at the intersection of both (SOUPS). My research has been generously supported by a Google PhD Fellowship, the NSF, and the Stanford Internet Observatory, and has won multiple awards.

I am on the job market seeking research roles in academia or industry!

Selected Awards

  • John Karat Usable Privacy and Security Research Award (2025)
  • IAPP SOUPS Privacy Award (2025)
  • CCS Top Reviewer Award (2025)
  • Google PhD Fellowship in Security and Privacy (2024)
  • New England Computing & Data Science Rising Star (2024)
  • Distinguished Paper Award, IEEE S&P (2023)