A University of Virginia School of Engineering researcher has been awarded a $497,000 Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace grant from the National Science Foundation for investigating new ways to secure communication. The grant came from the National Science Foundation'sDivision of Computer and Network Systems, which invents new computing and networking technologies while ensuring their security and privacy, and finds new ways to make use of current technologies. Mohammad Mahmoodyis an assistant professor of computer science atUVA Engineeringand is a principal investigator of the grant. His research group focuses on encryption protocols that keep information secure when passed through non-secure networks. Mahmoody is collaborating withSanjam Garg, assistant professor in the Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California Berkeley'sCollege of Engineering. Mahmoody's research aims to advance algorithms for enhanced encryption protocols that will upgrade universal privacy protections. UVA's and Berkeley's graduate students also will participate in the collaborative research project. Mahmoody has previously received the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, which recognizes early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their departments or organizations.