Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ammar Odeh | CyberSecurity | Best Researcher Award

Director of the Training and Consultation Center, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Jordan, with extensive experience in teaching, research, and technology development. Specializing in Cybersecurity, AI, and Blockchain, he has contributed significantly to the academic and industrial landscapes. Dr. Odeh earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Bridgeport, USA, in 2015, receiving the Phi Kappa Phi Award for academic excellence. He is passionate about advancing technological innovation and has been instrumental in designing student training programs, particularly in Cybersecurity. With a career spanning multiple countries, he has worked at universities in Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. His research spans Unicode Steganography, Wireless Networks, and Data Security. Dr. Odeh has also collaborated with industry giants such as Huawei and Orange, contributing to the development of advanced cybersecurity systems.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

1. Academic Excellence:
   • Dr. Odeh holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering (specializing in Cybersecurity), awarded from the University of Bridgeport, USA, in 2015.
   • He has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards, such as the Phi Kappa Phi Award (2015) for academic excellence.
2. Research Contributions:
   • Dr. Odeh has a strong research portfolio, with significant contributions to topics like steganography, machine learning, blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity. His research work, published in reputable journals and conferences, includes over 15 cited papers and is highly interdisciplinary.
   • Notable contributions include studies on phishing detection, electronic health record security, blockchain in healthcare, and malware detection.
   • He has been cited by multiple research papers and has contributed to advancing the application of technology in the cybersecurity, healthcare, and education sectors.
3. Teaching and Training:
   • As an Associate Professor, Dr. Odeh’s teaching interests span Programming Languages, Data Communications, Operating Systems, and Cybersecurity, indicating a broad and deep technical skill set.
   • He has also contributed significantly to curriculum design and student training, particularly in Cybersecurity and AI. His role in training and liaising with industry giants like Orange and Huawei speaks to his practical influence in the tech space.
4. Industry Engagement:
   • His active collaboration with industry players (such as Orange and Huawei) and his leadership of the training committee underscore his ability to bridge academic and practical applications, facilitating a strong link between the university and the tech industry.
   • His expertise in blockchain and AI in real-world contexts, such as healthcare, further illustrates his ability to contribute to and shape industry innovations.
5. Leadership in Academia:
   • Dr. Odeh has led and participated in multiple academic committees at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), including roles in graduation project committees and quality assurance committees. This shows his involvement in shaping the academic landscape and improving institutional practices.
6. Impact on Research Community:
   • His work in human-computer interaction, steganography, and network security has not only resulted in technical advancements but has also been widely cited, indicating the impact of his research in the academic community.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader Collaborative Networks:
   • Although Dr. Odeh has demonstrated significant industry engagement, a broader range of international collaborations could further enhance his research profile. Engaging with top-tier research institutions globally and fostering collaborative international research projects might help him gain more visibility and influence in the global tech community.
2. Increased Focus on Interdisciplinary Research:
   • While his research covers important aspects of cybersecurity, interdisciplinary approaches—incorporating more fields like social sciences or ethics in AI and cybersecurity—could further elevate his work. This would help address emerging global challenges like the ethical implications of AI, privacy concerns, and digital rights in an increasingly connected world.
3. Grant and Funding Acquisition:
   • Dr. Odeh’s research portfolio is impressive, but a focus on obtaining large-scale research funding for interdisciplinary projects, especially in AI and cybersecurity, could amplify the impact of his work and provide more opportunities for cutting-edge projects with higher visibility.
4. Broader Publication Outreach:
   • While his research is well-published, expanding the scope to higher-impact journals or collaborating with industry journals in areas like blockchain, IoT, and advanced AI security could increase the reach and recognition of his work in broader academic and professional circles.

Education 

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Hashemite University, Jordan (1999-2002). He then pursued a Master of Computer Science at the University of Jordan (2004-2006), where he honed his expertise in the field. In 2015, he completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, USA, with a focus on Cybersecurity. His doctoral research contributed to advancements in data security, wireless network protocols, and AI applications in cybersecurity. During his time at the University of Bridgeport, Dr. Odeh was awarded the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Award for outstanding academic achievement. This academic foundation has enabled him to establish himself as a leading researcher and educator in Computer Science, particularly in the areas of AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity.

Experience 

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh has a diverse teaching and research background, with over 15 years of experience across multiple institutions. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Jordan, where he has been since 2019. Prior to his current role, he was an Assistant Professor at PSUT and University of AlMaarefa, Saudi Arabia (2015-2019), where he taught courses on Computer Security, Data Communications, and Programming Languages. Dr. Odeh’s early career included teaching roles at Sur College of Applied Science in Oman (2009-2011) and Philadelphia University in Jordan (2006-2009). He also worked as a Graduate Assistant/Research Assistant at the University of Bridgeport, USA, where he supported cybersecurity research and developed tools for data analysis and project evaluation. His wide-ranging experience in academia has made him a respected leader in his field.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh has received multiple awards and honors throughout his academic and professional career. Notably, he was awarded the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Award in 2015 for outstanding academic performance at the University of Bridgeport. Dr. Odeh also received a Full Graduate Scholarship from the Computer Science Department at the University of Bridgeport (2012-2015). His work has been recognized with various other accolades, including the UPE Award in 2014. He is an active member of several professional societies, such as the IEEE Communications Society, IEEE Computer Society, ACM, and UPE. These memberships not only validate his expertise in Computer Science but also keep him connected to the latest developments in technology. Dr. Odeh’s ability to bridge academia and industry is reflected in his collaborations with major tech companies like Huawei and Orange, making him a leader in Cybersecurity and Blockchain research.

Research Focus 

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh’s research interests span a broad range of topics in Cybersecurity, AI, and Blockchain Technology. His primary focus includes Unicode Steganography, where he develops techniques for secure communication through hidden text in digital formats. He also explores Wireless Network Security, aiming to enhance data translation security across networks. Additionally, Dr. Odeh is dedicated to Human-Computer Interaction, improving the user experience through innovative security measures. He has contributed to research on the security and privacy of electronic health records, leveraging his expertise in AI and Machine Learning for more effective solutions in healthcare. Dr. Odeh has published several papers on the detection of phishing websites and malware, and his work on blockchain applications in the healthcare sector has garnered significant attention. His interdisciplinary approach to Cybersecurity and AI positions him as a prominent researcher in these rapidly evolving fields.

Publications 

• Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges 🏥🔒
• Machine learning techniques for detection of website phishing: A review for promises and challenges 🖥️🔍
• Analysis of blockchain in the healthcare sector: Application and issues ⛓️💡
• Performance evaluation of AODV and DSR routing protocols in MANET networks 🌐📶
• Steganography by multipoint Arabic letters 🅰️🔤
• PDF malware detection based on optimizable decision trees 📄⚙️
• Detection in adverse weather conditions for autonomous vehicles via deep learning 🚗🌧️
• Efficient detection of phishing websites using multilayer perceptron 🌐🛡️
• Analysis of ping of death DoS and DDoS attacks 💻💥
• Steganography in Arabic text using Kashida variation algorithm (KVA) 🇸🇦🔐
• Quantum key distribution by using public key algorithm (RSA) 🔑📡
• PHIBOOST – A novel phishing detection model using Adaptive boosting approach 📧⚡
• Steganography in text by using MS Word symbols 📝🔑
• A lightweight double-stage scheme to identify malicious DNS over HTTPS traffic using a hybrid learning approach 🌐🛡️
• Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges 🏥🔐
• Novel steganography over HTML code 🌍🔒
• Ensemble-Based Deep Learning Models for Enhancing IoT Intrusion Detection 🤖📡
• Efficient Mobile Sink Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Bipartite Graphs 📡🌱
• Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education: Moving towards e-learning paradigm 💻📚

Conclusion

Dr. Ammar M. Odeh stands out as a leading researcher in his fields of specialization, particularly Cybersecurity, AI, and Blockchain. His impressive academic record, substantial research contributions, leadership in teaching and training, and active industry engagement make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.While there are areas for growth in expanding his collaborative network and pursuing interdisciplinary research, his achievements to date reflect a dedication to advancing technology and education. Dr. Odeh’s work not only contributes to the academic community but also positively impacts industries such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and education.Given his strong credentials, extensive research output, and leadership in both academia and industry, Dr. Ammar Odeh is highly suitable for the Researcher of the Year Award.