Sanchari Das is the newest tenure-track faculty member at George Mason’s Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), arriving in December 2024. A distinguished cybersecurity expert, she brings an impressive track record, having received three best paper/poster awards from top-tier conferences, a National Science Foundation ADVANCE award, and research grants from Facebook and Google.
"Teaching has been my passion since childhood," she said. Inspired by her mother, a dedicated grade school teacher, Das knew early on that she wanted to teach. Later in life, she realized she could combine her love of teaching with groundbreaking research. "While working as a software engineer, I discovered that cybersecurity is not only a rapidly evolving field but also one that demands deeper exploration," she said. "We are developing tools to keep the world connected, but it is critical to ensure they are secure and privacy-preserving."
Cybersecurity fatigue is something we all experience, often leading us to lower our defenses. Das is determined to combat this tendency. "Cybersecurity often remains invisible until something goes wrong," she explained. "My work bridges the gap between cybersecurity tools and real-world usability by understanding user needs. Instead of simply creating more security tools, I aim to develop solutions that are truly aligned with how people interact with technology in their daily lives."
Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Das moved to the United States and earned her PhD at Indiana University Bloomington before spending a little over four years as a faculty member at the University of Denver. There, she received the highly esteemed Provost’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advising as Faculty Adviser of the Year, along with the prestigious Distinguished Faculty Award in 2023.
Her journey to Mason was serendipitous, sparked by a simple social media post from IST faculty members Vivan Motti and Marcos Zampieri. Intrigued, she looked deeper into the department and was immediately drawn to its multidisciplinary faculty. She appreciates Mason’s expansive academic environment and collaborative culture and is already working with 15 students on various research projects.
Being in the Washington, D.C., area is another major advantage. "This is where everything is happening," she said. "We're surrounded by top universities and at the heart of policy-making discussions." She is already taking full advantage of this proximity, pursuing a Master of Public Policy at George Mason’s Schar School to enhance her expertise in cybersecurity policy. And she’s not just immersing herself in academics—she’s quickly integrating into campus life, frequently enjoying lunch with colleagues at Ike’s and the Johnson Center, two popular campus eateries.
Eager to secure new research grants and fully settle into her role, Das is ready to tackle cybersecurity challenges and build a future of safer digital spaces—one well-designed, user-focused tool at a time.