Mohammed S. Akhoirshida, PhD, SAPM
Professor and Chair of Engineering and Computer Science
Dr. Akhoirshida is a seasoned professional with over 17 years of expertise in computer networks, software engineering, and wireless communication systems. His career spans significant roles in both industry and academia, including positions at leading companies such as Ford, Apple, Qualcomm, and Broadcom. He is also the Founder and CEO of an IT consulting firm and currently serves as a Professor of Practice and Chair of the Computer Science and Information Systems (CIS) department at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU).
Dr. Akhoirshida holds a PhD in Engineering Science and has been awarded a patent for a cooperative PaaK vehicle ad-hoc network utilizing Bluetooth low-energy wireless technology. He also has a Stanford Advanced Project Management (SAPM) certification from Stanford University. His scholarly contributions include numerous publications in prestigious conferences and journals. Recognized for his exceptional performance, Dr. Akhoirshida has received several awards from Ford Motor Company and Qualcomm Inc.
In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Akhoirshida is passionate about social work and human rights, actively engaging in efforts to support and uplift others. Outside of his professional and philanthropic endeavors, he enjoys playing chess and swimming, reflecting his commitment to both mental and physical well-being.
Courses:
- Algorithms & Structured Programming
- Java and Internet Applications
- Java Programming Lab
- Mobile Applications on iPhone Platform
- Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Discrete Logic
Prof. Ahmed Banafa
Director of Continuing Education & Special Programs
Prof. Ahmed Banafa is a distinguished expert in IoT, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and AI with a strong background in research, operations, and management. He has been recognized for his outstanding contributions, receiving the Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco, the Haskell Award for Distinguished Teaching from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the Author & Artist Award from San Jose State University. LinkedIn named him the No.1 tech voice to follow in 2018, acknowledging his predictive insights and influence. His groundbreaking research has been featured in renowned publications like Time, Nature, Forbes, IEEE, and the MIT Technology Review. He has been interviewed by major media outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, Bloomberg, BBC, NPR, NHK, and FOX. Being a member of the MIT Technology Review Global Panel further highlights his prominence in the tech community.
Prof. Banafa is an accomplished author known for impactful books. His work "Secure and Smart Internet of Things (IoT) using Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI)" earned him the San Jose State University Author and Artist Award and recognition as one of the Best Technology Books of All Time and Best AI Models Books of All Time. His book on "Blockchain Technology and Applications" also received acclaim and is integrated into curricula at prestigious institutions like Stanford University. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to Quantum Computing through his third book, and he is preparing to release his fourth book on Artificial Intelligence in 2024. Prof. Banafa's educational journey includes Cybersecurity studies at Harvard University and Digital Transformation studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he is holding a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence.
Courses:
- Senior Capstone Project - I
- Computer Science Capstone Course
- Probability and Statistics
- Electrical Engineering Capstone Course
Meet our Engineering Faculty
Engineering Faculty Directory
Vidhyacharan Bhaskar
Vidhyacharan has a diverse background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics. His expertise includes wireless communications, signal processing, coding theory, data science, machine learning, AI, queuing theory, and advanced mathematics. Proficient in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, and assembly languages like MIPS and x86, he has made significant contributions to these fields. His research interests focus on 5G and 6G wireless communications. Vidhyacharan has worked as a wireless instructor at Qualcomm, teaching engineers at the company.
Ken Cheung
Mr. Cheung is an experienced software developer with strong project management expertise, currently working at a leading high-tech semiconductor company. The company specializes in advanced testing systems for semiconductor manufacturers. Mr. Cheung's technical skills include object-oriented analysis and design, client-server applications, and system integration. He is also passionate about the latest internet technologies and the development of artificial intelligence applications.
Jack Ho
Mr. Jack Ho is a seasoned software development professional with over 20 years of experience in networking security, network device management, electronic design automation, and cybersecurity. He has held various roles, including leadership positions managing international teams of over 20 people. Mr. Ho has consulted with companies like Apple and Microsoft, advising on design methodologies, hardware/software co-simulation, and tool usage. Currently, he works at a cybersecurity startup, helping companies identify vulnerabilities in their systems. Mr.
Joseph Issa
Joseph has over seven years of teaching experience in computer science and engineering, following a 19-year career in the industry. He earned his undergraduate degree in computer engineering from Georgia Tech and began his career at Intel in Santa Clara, California. He holds a master’s in electrical engineering from San Jose State University and a Ph.D. in computer engineering from Santa Clara University, all while working at Intel. During his 18 years at Intel, Joseph contributed to chipsets validation, software development, and processor performance modeling.
Charles Mori
With over 20 years of experience as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer at Silicon Valley, and more than 10 semesters of teaching experience, Charles is dedicated to sharing real industry knowledge with students. Specializing in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Continuous Integration (CI), and Continuous Delivery (CD), Charles focuses on manual and automation testing using API and UI frameworks. His goal is to help students quickly grasp and gain hands-on skills in software development and testing.
Anastasiia Morozova
Anastasiia is a data analyst with a clinical background, offering a unique perspective in the field. With nine years of teaching experience, Anastasiia combines practical knowledge with academic insights, specializing in data analysis and Python programming. As part of SFBU, Anastasiia is dedicated to inspiring students and helping them realize their full potential. His goal is to empower students to understand and leverage the power of data in the rapidly changing tech industry and beyond.
Alex Yang
Alex Yang holds a BS degree from China and MSEE/MBA degrees from NPU. He currently teaches electronic/electrical hardware design, embedded system design, and a capstone course focused on gesture recognition using 3D LiDAR sensors and AI technology, in collaboration with MicroSense Technology. A strong advocate for hands-on and experiential learning, Alex has actively contributed to curriculum upgrades and program reviews within the fields of computer science and electrical engineering.