New Faculty Spotlight: Quinn Burke

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Quinn Burke joined the Department of Computer Science as a new Assistant Professor this semester (fall 2026). Learn about our new faculty member by reading his responses to our  "Getting to know you" questions.

Educational background/short bio:
I received my PhD from the Computer Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2026), where I was advised by Prof. Patrick McDaniel and specialized in cybersecurity. I received my MS from the Computer Science and Engineering Department at The Pennsylvania State University (2020), where I was also advised by Prof. Patrick McDaniel. Before then, I received my BS in Computer Science from The Pennsylvania State University (2018).

Research interests:
My research area is cybersecurity, with a special focus on cloud security. More specifically, I develop techniques to better secure the systems infrastructure on which cloud applications and services run. This research area is becoming more important and more challenging as cloud computing becomes even more prevalent and complex than it was 5 or 10 years ago (in large part due to the recent influx of cloud-based AI applications). I study everything from the lowest level of the software stack (software-hardware interfaces) to the highest level (application-specific security protections). My recent research focuses on the new use cases and security problems introduced by emerging confidential computing technologies (hardware-based security features). My work is deeply collaborative, leveraging techniques and expertise in computer systems/architecture design, applied cryptography, data structures and algorithms, and formal optimization.

Why did you apply to join the University of Arizona Department of Computer Science?
The University of Arizona has a decorated history in computer science education and research, and in computer systems research in particular. My research is in systems security, so it is a natural place for me to build my research program, surrounded by experts in security, systems, and other related research areas. After my first visit, I was impressed by the department's collegiality, the quality of the research being done, and the clear vision for the future. I was also drawn to the opportunity to help grow and shape the department as it expands in the coming years. Being located in Arizona (and the Southwest US more broadly) is also a strategic asset for my research, given the region's strengths in technology, defense, aerospace, and national security.

What made you interested in pursuing a career in higher education/the academy?
I chose an academic career for the freedom and flexibility it provides to pursue research questions that I find interesting and important. The possibility of discovering or inventing something that can change humanity is exciting. It also lets me express my curiosity and creativity in ways that few other careers could. And perhaps most importantly, it gives me the opportunity to work with brilliant students and researchers who share the same passion for research. It is an extremely fullfilling career path that I highly recommend to everyone who has the opportunity to pursue it.

What are you looking forward to most in continuing at the UA?
I am most looking forward to joining a vibrant and collaborative department and community. I am really excited to meet the other faculty (those who I haven't met yet), staff, students, and alumni. I am also looking forward to the energy at U of A basketball and football games, exploring the beautiful state of Arizona, and the rich cultural and culinary scene in Tucson.

Any other information you would like students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc. to know about you. 
I enjoy home-labbing (I manage a small 16U server rack cluster at home for fun), running, sailing, and hiking. I like to tinker and build things and talk about computers, both professionally and personally. But I also try to spend as much time outdoors as I can.