I received my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, where I worked with esteemed researchers Dr. Jeff Lei and Dr. Jiang Ming on groundbreaking projects in Software Engineering and Software Security. Before joining the Software Engineering Research Center at UTA, I worked as a mobile app tech lead in Beijing, leading a talented team in delivering innovative software solutions to millions of users.

I am currently seeking highly motivated PhD students in Computer Science, with a particular focus on individuals who possess exceptional hands-on abilities and a passion for system security. If you are interested in pursuing this exciting area of research, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

课题组学术氛围浓厚,团队关系融洽,研究环境纯粹,无需分心处理其他事务。导师亲力亲为,悉心指导,并与多位领域专家保持长期合作,为学生提供全方位支持。诚邀有理想、懂感恩、具备扎实计算机学科基础的同学加入,共同探索前沿研究!提供PhD全奖1位,半奖1位机会,2026年春季或者秋季入学。

 

Research Interests


  • Compiler Optimization
  • Binary Code Analysis
  • Software Security

Publications


In Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on the Foundations of Software Engineering (FSE). Trondheim, Norway, 2025

[FSE ’25] Revisiting Optimization-Resilience Claims in Binary Diffing Tools: Insights from LLVM Peephole Optimization Analysis

In Proceedings of the 2023 European Symposium on Research in Computer Security. Hague, Netherlands, 2023

[ESORICS ’23] Intelligent Zigbee Protocol Fuzzing via Constraint-Field Dependency Inference
Mengfei Ren, Haotian Zhang, Xiaolei Ren, Jiang Ming, Yu Lei

In Proceedings of the 16th IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation (ICST), Dublin, Ireland, 2023.

[ICST ’23] MagicMirror: Towards High-Coverage Fuzzing of Smart Contracts 
Huadong Feng, Xiaolei Ren, Qiping Wei, Jeff Yu Lei, Raghu Kacker, Richard Kuhn, Dimitris Simos

In ACM Digital Threats: Research and Practice

[ACM DTRAP ’23Security Analysis of Zigbee Protocol Implementation via Device-agnostic Fuzzing 
Mengfei Ren, Xiaolei Ren, Huadong Feng, Jiang Ming, Yu Lei

In Proceedings of the 14th ACM Conference on Security and Privacy in Wireless and Mobile Networks. Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2021. (Acceptance rate 28.1%)

[WiSec ’21] Z-Fuzzer: device-agnostic fuzzing of Zigbee protocol implementation 
Mengfei Ren, Xiaolei Ren, Huadong Feng, Jiang Ming, Yu Lei

Zero-day Vulnerabilities Detected: CVE-2020-27890CVE-2020-27891CVE-2020-27892

In Proceedings of the 42nd ACM SIGPLAN Conference on Programming Language Design and Implementation, Virtual Event, June 23-25, 2021. (Acceptance rate 27.2%=87/320)

[PLDI ’21] Unleashing the hidden power of compiler optimization on binary code difference: an empirical study

Open-source auto-tuning framework: BinTuner, can deliver a near-optimal binary code that reveals much more differences than -Ox settings.
🏆 ACM SIGPLAN Distinguished Paper Award (PLDI)
🆕 ACM SIGPLAN Blog: When Compiler Optimization Meets Binary Code Difference
Xiaolei Ren, Michael Ho, Jiang Ming, Yu Lei, Li Li

Teaching


Fall 2025

     EIE 331 Embedded Systems Design (Undergraduate): This course covers embedded systems design and development, emphasizing hardware-software integration and system optimization.

    MIIE 01 Advanced Topics in Information Technology (Graduate): This advanced seminar explores state-of-the-art research in information technology and security, focusing on emerging threats, innovative defensive strategies, and cutting-edge technologies.

Spring 2025

     CS/EIE/SE 471 – Computer and Network Security (Undergraduate): Focuses on core principles of cybersecurity, including network security, cryptography, and attack mitigation strategies.

     DNCZ04 – Cybersecurity (PhD-level): Advanced seminar covering state-of-the-art research in cybersecurity, including emerging threats, defensive strategies, and cutting-edge technologies.

     SE 252 – Software Project Management (Undergraduate): Provides comprehensive insights into software project lifecycle management, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and agile methodologies.

Fall 2024

     EIE 331 Embedded Systems Design (Undergraduate): This course covers embedded systems design and development, emphasizing hardware-software integration and system optimization.

Research Coach for Summer School (at the University of Geneva)

       UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Project / 2022 (4 weeks) Media

Graduate Teaching Assistant  (at UTA)

  • CSE 5360 Artificial Intelligence / Summer 2023.
  • CSE 5325 & 6324 Adv Topics Software Engineering / Spring 2023.
  • CSE 5324 Software Engineering: Analysis, Design, and Testing / Fall 2022.
  • CSE 4321 Software Testing & Maintenance / Fall 2021 & Spring 2022.
  • CSE 3311 Oriented Software Engineering / Summer 2021.
  • CSE 5322 Software Design Patterns / Fall 2020.
  • CSE 6324 Adv Topics Software Engineering / Spring 2020.
  • CSE 3310 Fundamentals of Software Engineering / Spring 2019 & 2021.

 Lab Instructor  

  • CSE 2100 Practical Computer Hardware & Software Systems / Spring 2020.

 Talks

  • When Compiler Optimization Leads to Binary Code Differences

          Ph.D. Academic Forum, Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Spring 2021

  • How Compiler Optimization Affects Binary Code Differences

           Invited by Assistant Professor Dr. Zhongwei (Luke) Li, Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the TAMU-Commerce, October 26, 2020, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

  • Lecture: CSE 4321 Software Testing & Maintenance, Spring 2022, Slides

Academic Services


Local Co-Chair: Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2025)
Reviewer: Elsevier Computers & Security, since 2021
Reviewer: IEEE Trans. on Dependable and Secure Computing, since 2022
Reviewer: The Journal of Systems & Software, since 2024
Reviewer: Elsevier Computers and Electrical Engineering, since 2024
Editor: Journal of Code Generation and Optimization, since 2024
External R.: ACM Conf. on Computer and Communications Security (CCS’19-’20).
External R.: USENIX Security (’21-’22, ’24).
External R.: IEEE/ACM Automated Software Engineering (ASE’20).
External R.: International Conf. on Info. and Communications Security (’19-’21).
     

Contact


  • xiaolei.ren [at] mavs [dot] uta [dot] edu
  • Engineering Research Building #513
  • 500 UTA Blvd, Arlington, TX 76010, United States
  • My Google Scholar

© 2025 Xiaolei Ren