About Me

Hi, my name is Enze (pronounced like the italian name Enzo) Liu. I also go by the English name "Alex". I am currently a "free-range" (meaning I have more projects without my host than with my host) postdoc at CMU's CyLab hosted by the affable Nicolas Christin. I received my PhD in Computer Science from UC San Diego and am incredibly proud to be advised by Stefan Savage and Geoff Voelker. I am broadly interested in empirically understanding and securing real-world systems, with a particular emphasis on complex, large-scale systems whose vulnerabilities impact a broad range of users. My current research investigates cryptocurrency-related scams and hacks (IMC 24), and I researched email security (WWW 24 Oral, SOUPS 23, EuroS&P 23 , IMC 21) and Android stalkerware (PETS 23, IMC 20 ) in the past. In my spare time, I worked on several side projects, with topics ranging from remote memory (WORDS 23) to DNS hijacking (IMC 21) to reducing selective exposure (CSCW 24). Before starting my PhD, I spearheaded some research on passwords (S&P 19) working with David Cash and Blase Ur at the University of Chicago. My (often outdated) CV can be found here.

When not squashing bugs or hacking a server, I enjoy swimming, rock climbing, walking around the city (ideally, with friends), playing tennis/table tennis and hunting for great food. I used to (and would like continue in the future if possible) spend a fair amount of time surfing at various beaches in San Diego or camping in the middle of nowhere. My hometown is Wuhan, China.