Meet KAUST prospective student: Diego Augusto Silva

About

By Taruna Rapaka

Graduate student Diego Augusto Silva will join KAUST from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil. Diego obtained his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of São João del-Rei and his master's degree in electronic engineering and computing in electronic devices and systems from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil, respectively. He will join KAUST at the end of first semester.

Diego believes that KAUST offers an excellent research atmosphere and a high-level of faculty. He will join KAUST as a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Communication and Computing Systems Lab under the supervision of Professor Ahmed Eltawil.

What was your main subject during your master's degree? Why did you choose it?

My master's thesis was based on applications of asynchronous logic design in cryptography. More specifically, developing hardware implementations of robust algorithms against side-channel attacks. Since the middle part of my bachelor's degree, I have been interested in logic design. Combining cybersecurity issues seemed to be an amazing opportunity to study a contemporary and essential topic. 

When did you first become interested in electrical and computer engineering? What are your research interests?

I became interested in electrical and computer engineering at the end of high school when I saw that the professionals in this area can work in varied research fields from bioscience to nuclear physics. Currently, my interests include the digital logic design of algorithms and event-based cameras.

What is your future outlook? Who will be your supervisor at KAUST?

After my Ph.D. at KAUST, I intend to pursue an industry position, as many KAUST alumni have done before. 

My supervisor at KAUST will be Professor Eltawil, a well-recognized researcher with several leading publications and U.S. patents in computing and communication areas.

What do you do in your spare time? What are you passionate about?

I like to read all sorts of books and play the viola caipira, a kind of Brazilian ten-string guitar. I am passionate about learning new things and Brazilian country music.

Can you give a piece of advice to students who plan to pursue a M.S./Ph.D. at KAUST?

Move forward; an incredible world of opportunities is waiting for you!