Collins Munyendo, a Computer Science PhD Student in Washington, DC, has achieved numerous rewarding and memorable milestones throughout his career, demonstrating his prowess in the digital space. Among these accolades is the prestigious 2024 Google PhD Fellowship in Security and Privacy, awarded in recognition of his innovative research addressing critical challenges in cybersecurity in the underserved majority world.

In addition, Collins was named a 2024 New England Computing & Data Science Rising Star, a testament to his remarkable contributions to the ever-evolving fields of Computing and Data Science. His achievements also include receiving a Distinguished Paper Award at the prestigious 2023 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy and a 2024 Research Grant from the Stanford Internet Observatory which will support his exploration of cutting-edge issues in the IT world. So, where did it all begin?

Munyendo’s Journey to Strathmore

Collins’ IT Journey goes back to his high school days at Kapsabet High School when representatives from Strathmore University visited his high school to introduce the institution and its programs. Although he wasn’t entirely certain about his future academic path, he took a leap of faith and applied to Strathmore. To his delight, he was accepted, marking the beginning of a journey that would later shape his career and aspirations in ways he hadn’t yet imagined. Shortly after high school, he took a foundational course in computer packages, a seemingly simple step at that time, but one that ignited a lasting passion for the world of IT.

Journey Through Strathmore

While at Strathmore, Collins Munyendo reflects on the unparalleled exposure he gained, describing it as truly transformative and invaluable. “It is at Strathmore University where I embarked on my first international trip. As part of our program, we explored Europe, traveling through France and Germany, visiting top schools and tech giants such as IBM” he recalls.

He also credits Strathmore for instilling in him values such as determination and drive. This ethos have propelled him to actively participate in various community outreach programs, mentoring many young people. Notably, he has been involved with Nipe Sauti Africa, a community-based organization focused on empowering and supporting marginalized communities in Kenya.

In 2016, Collins and other Nipe Sauti Africa members played a key role in bridging the digital divide and fostering access to technology through a program that provided laptops to a remote school in Nakuru. While still at Strathmore, he also had the opportunity to serve as the Vice President for the Strathmore University IT Students Association, where he played an active role in supporting students’ IT needs. He was also actively involved in the Community Outreach Program, mentoring a lot of young people across the country.

Life After Campus

After earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology, he embarked on a journey towards  his master’s at Carnegie Mellon University, a prestigious university renowned for its excellence in Computer Science and Engineering where he  refined his skills in the digital space. He has since climbed the ladder to the doctorate level at the George Washington University, where he is currently a PhD Candidate in Computer Science.

His research focuses on human-centered security and privacy, where he investigates how users, especially the underserved majority world users, interact with security and privacy tools to subsequently design more inclusive, usable, and secure solutions. According to him, this has been an exciting journey full of ups and downs. “While pursuing my PhD, I must admit that I have been tested in every possible way. This journey has not only taught me more about my own strengths and resilience but has also required immense hard work and dedication. The key to navigating this challenging yet rewarding experience has been persistence. My advisor has also been extremely kind and supportive”  he reiterates.

Looking ahead, Collins is confident that his future in research is well-established and is currently applying for faculty positions. “I do believe that I was meant to be in research. In fact, had I known earlier, I would have pursued something related to this during my undergraduate studies.”  he admits. He views research as a long evolving process that requires not only intellectual rigor but also mental resilience. “While conducting research you have to be open-minded, willing to learn and have the courage to unlearn,” he states.

To all aspiring researchers, his advice is both simple and profound. “Put yourself out there, keep your head up, and be ready to seize the numerous opportunities that Strathmore has to offer.”

Article written by Gertrude Wachira