Yu Cai

Biography

Yu Cai is a professor in the College of Computing. He serves as the associate director of Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) and the director of Computing Education Center under ICC. He is also the faculty advisor for two student organizations: RedTeam and Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA).

Dr. Cai’s research interests include cybersecurity, machine learning, and computing education. He has served as lead PI on more than $8 million in externally funded projects supported by National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, State of Michigan, and other organizations.

Dr. Cai's work emphasizes the practical application of research and educational methods to address real-world challenges and create meaningful societal impact. He was a recipient of the Provost’s Award for Sustained Teaching Excellence in 2024. He also serves as an ABET CAC commissioner and program evaluator, is a GIAC/SANS certified Machine Learning Engineer, and has worked as a consultant for companies including IBM and Ford.