Hi, I'm Dr. Li Bai.

Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies & Faculty Affairs at Temple University's College of Engineering. Leading research in computer security, robotics, and multi-agent systems.

About

Dr. Li Bai is a Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Temple University. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, his research spans computer security, reliability, secret sharing scheme, multi-agent systems, robotic operating systems, and deep learning. He has made significant contributions to secure computing, developing secure key distribution and secret sharing schemes to enhance cybersecurity in distributed systems.

His research has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Defense (DoD), and private industry, supporting various real-world applications that bridge theoretical advancements into practical solutions.

Recognized with multiple awards, including the IEEE Philadelphia Section Benjamin Franklin Key Award and the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, Dr. Bai has extensive experience in academia and industry. His work in robotics, AI, and cybersecurity, along with his dedication to STEM education and professional organizations, underscores his commitment to advancing engineering and technology.

Research Interests:

  • Computer Security & Dependable Secure Computing
  • Secret Sharing Schemes & Cryptography
  • Multi-Agent Systems & Multi-Sensor Fusion
  • Robotic Operating Systems, Quadruped Robots & Drones
  • Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence
  • Reliability and Resilience Controls

My lab, the Computer Fusion Laboratory (CFL), focuses on cutting-edge research in secure computing, robotics, and intelligent systems. I have secured over $10 million in research funding from NSF, DoD, ONR, and industry partners.

Experience

Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies & Faculty Affairs

  • Leading research initiatives and graduate programs across the College of Engineering
  • Overseeing faculty affairs and academic program development
  • Managing research funding and partnerships with government and industry
July 2025 - Present | Philadelphia, PA

Professor and Department Chair

  • Established Professional Science Master (PSM) in Cyber Security Program
  • Created a 4+1 program with four Chinese universities
  • Revised ECE curriculum with project-based learning
  • Integrated National Instruments equipment and LabVIEW in undergraduate ECE education
Jan 2015 - June 2025 | Philadelphia, PA

Associate Professor (2nd appointment)

  • IT Auditing and Cyber Security (ITACS) Program
  • Department of Management and Information Systems
Nov 2013 - May 2016 | Philadelphia, PA

Associate Professor (with Tenure)

  • Conducted research in computer security, multi-agent systems, and sensor fusion
  • Supervised Ph.D. and M.S. students in cutting-edge research projects
  • Secured significant research funding from NSF, ONR, and industry partners
July 2010 - Dec 2014 | Philadelphia, PA

Assistant Professor

  • Developed courses in computer security and signal processing
  • Established the Computer Fusion Laboratory (CFL)
  • Served as IEEE Student Branch Counselor (2002-2015)
Sept 2001 - June 2010 | Philadelphia, PA

Projects

SYNC-Smart Parkinson's Companion Robot
SYNC-Smart Healthcare Robot

Parkinson's companion robot with remote healthcare monitoring for elderly care.

Details
  • Multi-modal telehealth monitoring for Parkinson's patients
  • Remote patient monitoring with real-time data transmission
  • AI-driven health analytics and early warning systems
  • Areas: Healthcare, AI/ML, Robotics
Cyber-threats Assessment
Cyber-threats Assessment

AI-based security assessment for battlefield applications.

Details
  • Vulnerability assessment and mitigation strategies
  • Deep learning for cyber threat detection
  • Security analysis for critical infrastructure
  • Funded: US Army ($525,000) | 2021-2023
Remote Obstetrics Monitoring
Body Sensor Networks

NFC-enabled fetal and maternal health monitoring networks.

Details
  • Secure obstetrics monitoring with NFC-enabled Android devices
  • Wearable body sensor networks for real-time monitoring
  • Integration with electronic health records
  • Funded: Formula Fund ($300,000) | 2011-2013
Mini Pupper Quadruped Robot
Quadruped Robot (Mini Pupper)

Open-source quadruped robot platform for education and research.

Details
  • ROS integration for autonomous navigation
  • Computer vision and deep learning capabilities
  • Open-source hardware and software design
  • Tools: ROS, Python, Deep Learning, OpenCV
DEAR Augmented Reality
DEAR: Dance & Engineering AR

Interactive augmented reality combining dance and engineering.

Details
  • Interdisciplinary arts and engineering collaboration
  • Real-time motion capture and AR overlay
  • Interactive performance visualization
  • Funded: Temple University ($60,000) | 2010-2011
Secure Cyber-Physical Systems
Secure Cyber-Physical Systems

Game-theoretic framework for networked CPS security.

Details
  • Game-theoretic security analysis
  • Attack detection and mitigation strategies
  • Multi-agent coordination under adversarial conditions
  • Funded: NSF CPS ($449,854) | 2015-2017

Research

Selected Funded Research Projects

  • NSF S-STEM: "Supporting Students' Academic and Career Success with a Sustainable Energy Focus" - $1,499,988 (2022-2028)
  • US Army Corp: "USACE" - $1,074,999 (2022-2023)
  • DoD/NCMS: "Advanced Additive Technologies for Sustainment of Navy Assets" - $3,107,226 (2019-2023)
  • US Army: "Assessment of Cyber-threats and Vulnerabilities, & Design of Mitigation Strategies" - $525,000 (2021-2023)
  • ONR: "Opportunistic Market-based Auction Approach for distributed Fuzzy Reasoning and Resource Allocations" - $600,019 (2013-2016)
  • NSF CPS: "Towards Secure Networked Cyber-Physical Systems: A Game-Theoretic Framework" - $449,854 (2015-2017)
  • EDA: "Urban Apps & Maps Studio" - $500,000 + $635,000 supplement (2011-2016)

Selected Publications

Author of 70+ peer-reviewed publications including:

  • Xie, D., Li, Y., et al. "Denoising arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI with deep machine learning" - Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2020
  • Mei, X., Ling, H., Wu, Y., Blasch, E., and Bai, L. "Efficient Minimum Error Bounded Particle Resampling L1 Tracker" - IEEE Trans. on Image Processing, 2013
  • Wu, Y., et al. "Real-time Probabilistic Covariance Tracking with Efficient Model Update" - IEEE Trans. on Image Processing, 2012
  • Bai, L. "A Reliable (k, n) Image Secret Sharing Scheme" - Int. Journal of Computer and Applications, 2010
  • Bai, L. and Blasch, E. "Two-Way Handshake Circular Sequential k-out-of-n Congestion System" - IEEE Trans. on Reliability, 2008

View full publication list on Google Scholar →

Student Supervision

Ph.D. Students Graduated:

  • Joseph Amato - "Towards Secure And Decentralized Energy Dispatch" (2025)
  • Yiran Li - "Simultaneous Artifacts Correction And Acceleration For CEST Imaging Via Deep Learning" (2022)
  • Danfeng Xie - "Machine Learning-based Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion MRI Signal Processing" (2020)
  • Qiangguo Ren - "Novel Market-based Multi-agent System for Power Balance" (2018)
  • Ning Gong - "Resilient Control Strategy for Power Systems using (n, k)-Star Topology" (2016)

M.S. Students: 11+ thesis students graduated

Senior Design Projects: Multiple award-winning teams including 3rd place in Freescale East Coast competition

Awards & Service

Awards

  • IEEE Philadelphia Section Benjamin Franklin Key Award - 2016
  • IEEE Philadelphia Section Service Award - 2011
  • Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching - Temple University, 2010
  • Finalist for Young Engineer of the Year - Delaware Valley, Philadelphia Engineering Club, 2005
  • Young Engineer of the Year in Delaware Valley - IEEE Philadelphia Section, 2004
  • Best TA Award - College of Engineering, Drexel University, 2000
  • Lewis A. Caccese Scholarship Award - Philadelphia Engineering Foundation, 1996

IEEE Service

  • IEEE Region 2 Regional Student Activities Chair - 2022-Present
  • IEEE Philadelphia Section Student Activities Faculty Advisor - 2021-Present
  • IEEE Philadelphia Section Awards Committee - 2019-Present
  • Chair, IEEE Philadelphia Section - 2007
  • Vice Chair, IEEE Philadelphia Section - 2006
  • IEEE USA Congressional Delegate - 2005, 2006, 2024, 2025
  • IEEE Student Branch Counselor - 2002-2015

Professional Activities

  • ECEDHA (ECE Department Head and Chair Association) conference planning committee
  • Publication Chair, 6th International Symposium on Resilient Control Systems (2013)
  • Guest Editor: Special Issue on "Wearable Technologies and Devices" - Computers in Industry Journal
  • NSF Panel Reviewer (Cyber Trust and CRI-Wireless)
  • Reviewer for IEEE Trans. on Reliability, IEEE Trans. on Signal Processing, and more

Education

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Degree: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Years: 1998-2001

Dissertation: Secure Electronic Mail
Advisor: Prof. Moshe Kam (IEEE Fellow, IEEE President 2011)

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Degree: M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
Years: 1996-1998

Focus: Multi-sensor decision fusion
Thesis: Distributed Detection Using the MLGDS Test

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

Degree: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
Years: 1993-1996

Honor: Faculty Award for highest GPA graduating senior in EE Department

Contact

+1-267-318-3918

lbai@temple.edu

github.com/lbaitemple

Computer Fusion Laboratory (CFL)
College of Engineering, Temple University
1947 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122