Mrs. Sanaa Sofi Mironov
Assistant Teaching Professor
About
I am a computer scientist and educator whose work sits at the intersection of operating systems, computer architecture, security, and data-driven systems. I teach in computer science while pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, where my research focuses on low-level computing, trustworthy systems, and the relationship between software, hardware, and security. My academic work is shaped by a strong interest in how systems are built, how they fail, and how they can be made more reliable, transparent, and secure.My teaching centers on helping students build real technical depth in foundational areas of computing. I am especially committed to making systems concepts approachable without reducing their rigor. In the classroom, I emphasize clear mental models, hands-on problem solving, and the connection between theory and implementation. My goal is not only to help students succeed in a course, but to help them think like computer scientists and engineers.
In addition to teaching and research, I bring industry experience through leadership in applied AI and emerging technology. That perspective helps me connect core computing principles to modern challenges in systems, security, and intelligent technologies. Across all of my work, I aim to bridge foundational theory with practical impact.
Research interests
My research interests are in operating systems, computer architecture, systems security, and trustworthy computing. I am particularly interested in low-level system design and in questions about how software and hardware can work together to support security, reliability, and transparency. My work is motivated by a desire to understand systems at a fundamental level and to design methods that make them more robust and verifiable.More broadly, I am interested in the security of modern computing platforms, attestation and trust in systems, and the use of system-level insight to address emerging challenges in computing. I am also interested in how foundational systems research can inform practical solutions in areas where performance, correctness, and security all matter.
Teaching interests
My teaching goal is to contribute to the foundation of the computer science and computer engineering curriculum by teaching core courses that shape how students think about computing systems. I am especially interested in teaching Introduction to Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, and Design and Analysis of Algorithms. These courses form an essential base for later work in systems, security, hardware, and software design.I am drawn to these subjects because they help students develop precise, structured ways of thinking. Operating Systems teaches students how software interacts with hardware and shared resources. Computer Architecture helps them understand how computation is actually executed at the machine level. Algorithms develops the analytical skills needed to reason about efficiency, correctness, and tradeoffs. Together, these courses give students the conceptual framework they need to become strong problem solvers and thoughtful engineers.
My teaching approach in these areas emphasizes clarity, rigor, and application. I want students to leave these courses with both strong theoretical understanding and the confidence to apply that knowledge in real technical settings.
Education
- MS, Computer Science — University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2023)
- BS, Computer Science — University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2020)
- BBA, Business Administration — University of Baltimore (2014)