Junaid Farooq
Junaid Farooq
Associate Professor
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Research

Research

My research develops secure and resilient next-generation networks. The work combines network theory, optimization, and AI to keep mission-critical systems connected and trustworthy under stress, attack, and uncertainty.

NextG Networks & O-RAN

Network slicing, admission control, and multi-agent resource orchestration for 5G and 6G open radio access networks, with a focus on ultra-reliable low-latency communications.

O-RANNetwork SlicingURLLC5G/6G

Cyber Resilience & Zero Trust

Proactive and automated security for untrusted infrastructure, including zero trust architectures, cyber risk quantification, and supply chain risk analysis for mission-critical systems.

Zero TrustCyber RiskSupply ChainResilience

Autonomous & Aerial Systems

Distributed orchestration of UAV networks for coverage, connectivity, and resilient service delivery in dynamic, infrastructure-challenged, and contested environments.

UAVCoverageBackhaulDistributed Control

AI-Driven Network Management

Reinforcement learning, agentic AI, and large language model methods for autonomous management and orchestration of next-generation networks.

Reinforcement LearningLLM AgentsOrchestration
Projects

Funded and ongoing projects

P1

AI-Driven Resilience for O-RAN and NextG Networks

Multi-agent reinforcement learning and agentic AI for joint slice admission, PRB allocation, and resource orchestration in open radio access networks, with resilience to jamming and disruptive users.

O-RANNetwork SlicingReinforcement LearningURLLC
P2

Zero Trust Security Intelligence for 5G Networks

A holistic zero trust approach for trusted communications over untrusted 5G infrastructure, continuously monitoring trust posture, micro-segmenting workloads, and adaptively controlling access. Supported by the National Science Foundation.

Zero Trust5G SecurityRisk Management
P3

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Analysis and Mitigation

Modeling, computation, and software tools for analyzing and mitigating risk in IT, OT, and IoT supply chains for critical and automotive infrastructure. Supported by DHS, CIRI, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Supply ChainIoTCritical Infrastructure
P4

Resilient Connectivity for IoT in Adversarial Environments

Secure and reconfigurable multi-layer network design for critical information dissemination in the Internet of Battlefield Things, and feedback-based resilient UAV connectivity for remotely deployed mobile IoT.

IoBTUAVResilienceStochastic Geometry

Research grants

$2.31M total in research funding ($1.37M as PI, $0.94M as Co-PI).

  • 2026
    Securing Digital Supply Chains through Cyber Risk Intelligence
    UM OVPR Bold Challenges Pollination Award · PI
    $10,000
  • 2026
    AI-Driven NextG Networks to Support High Fidelity and Responsive Manufacturing
    UM OVPR Bold Challenges & AIIM Seed Award · PI
    $5,000
  • 2025
    CMMC Focus Study of Various Manufacturing Industries
    U.S. Department of Defense via MxD USA · PI
    $49,995
  • 2025
    Robotic Wireless Signal Strength Mapping of Industrial Facilities (Supplement)
    U.S. Department of Defense via MxD USA · Co-PI
    $40,000
  • 2024
    5G Hardware Encryption Cybersecurity Integration Evaluation
    U.S. Department of Defense via MxD USA / OPEX Systems · PI
    $45,000
  • 2024
    Systemic Cyber Risk Management for Complex Automotive Supply Chains
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MTRAC · PI
    $99,960
  • 2024
    Comprehensive Wireless Signal Measurement and Analysis: From WiFi to 5G Cellular Spectra
    UM-Dearborn SURE · PI
    $3,200
  • 2023
    Robotic Wireless Signal Strength Mapping of Industrial Facilities
    U.S. Department of Defense via MxD USA · Co-PI
    $899,999
  • 2022
    NSF Convergence Accelerator Track G: Proactive End-to-End Zero Trust-Based Security Intelligence for Resilient Non-cooperative 5G Networks
    National Science Foundation · PI
    $749,866
  • 2022
    5G Cybersecurity Reference Architecture
    U.S. Department of Defense via MxD USA / OPEX Systems · PI
    $50,000
  • 2022
    Cyber Supply Chain Risk Assessment and Mitigation for Automotive IoT
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MTRAC · PI
    $34,500
  • 2022
    Experimentation on Drone Testbed for 5G and Beyond Wireless
    UM-Dearborn SURE · PI
    $3,200
  • 2022
    OVPR Pandemic Relief Funding
    University of Michigan OVPR · PI
    $3,000
  • 2021
    Multi-layer Cyber-Physical Supply Chain Risk Analysis for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security S&T via CIRI · PI
    $299,747
  • 2021
    Multi-tier Aerial Network Formation and Control for Emergency Communications
    UM-Dearborn Research Initiation and Development Grant · PI
    $10,000
  • 2021
    Cost-Effective Charging and Refueling Strategies for Autonomous Vehicles
    UM-Dearborn SURE · PI
    $3,200
Talks

Invited talks and seminars