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 |
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 |
In ACM Digital Threats: Research and Practice [ACM DTRAP ’23] Security Analysis of Zigbee Protocol Implementation via Device-agnostic Fuzzing |
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 Zero-day Vulnerabilities Detected: CVE-2020-27890, CVE-2020-27891, CVE-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. |
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
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