Miss Sana Hafeez

  • Research Assistant (School of Computing Science)

email: Sana.Hafeez@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns: She/her/hers

Import to contacts

Biography

Dr. Sana Hafeez is a distinguished Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, playing a pivotal role in the SecureSense project under CHEDDAR UK in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University and Coventry University. In parallel, she contributes as a Research Assistant at Queen Mary University of London, where she is spearheading research on the 6G‐FINESSE project "Is 6G a Friend or a Foe for Physical Layer Security in Quasi‐Static Environments" in a collaborative partnership with Keele University, Imperial College London, and the University of Surrey.

In 2024, Dr. Hafeez was honoured as a Global Talent by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom, a testament to her exceptional contributions to the field. As an active member of the IEEE Communications Society, she serves on the Technical Program Committees for several prestigious conferences, including IEEE VTC Spring 2024 in Singapore, IEEE VTC Fall 2024 in Washington, DC, IEEE VTC 2025 in Oslo, Norway, and the 45th IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Research interests

Dr. Sana Hafeez holds a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, specialising in blockchain-assisted UAV communication network design and optimisation. She is a dynamic, multi-faceted researcher whose expertise spans from software engineering and IoT to the realms of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Dr. Hafeez’s research encompasses an impressive array of advanced fields, including cybersecurity, wireless communications, UAV networks, blockchain technologies, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, beyond 6G wireless technologies, unmanned autonomous vehicles, and drone control systems. Her current work is at the cutting edge, focussing on the integration of formal verification techniques, threat modelling, physical layer security, and AI-driven security mechanisms within 6G-enabled health monitoring systems and UAV communications.

Her innovative approach, which combines the rigour of formal methods with practical security applications, is setting new standards in ensuring robust defences in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2024 | 2023
Number of items: 7.

2024

Hafeez, S., Shawky, M. A. , Al-Quraan, M. , Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) BETA-UAV: Blockchain-based efficient authentication for secure UAV communication [Pre-print]. arXiv,

Hafeez, S., Cheng, R. , Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) A blockchain-enabled framework of UAV coordination for post-disaster networks [Pre-print]. arXiv, (doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2402.15331)

Hafeez, S., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) Blockchain-enabled Clustered and Scalable Federated Learning (BCS-FL) framework in UAV networks [Pre-print]. arXiv, (doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2402.05973)

2023

Hafeez, S., Manzoor, H. U., Mohjazi, L. , Zoha, A. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-Empowered Immutable and Reliable Delivery Service (BIRDS) Using UAV Networks. In: 2023 IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (IEEE CAMAD), Edinburgh, UK, 6–8 Nov 2023, (Accepted for Publication)

Hafeez, S., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-enabled Clustered and Scalable Federated Learning (BCS-FL) Framework in UAV Networks. In: 2023 IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (IEEE CAMAD), Edinburgh, UK, 6–8 Nov 2023, (Accepted for Publication)

Hafeez, S., Khan, A. R., Al-Quraan, M., Mohjazi, L. , Zoha, A. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-assisted UAV communication systems: a comprehensive survey. IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, 4, pp. 558-580. (doi: 10.1109/OJVT.2023.3295208)

Hafeez, S., Shawky, M. A. , Al-Quraan, M., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) BETA-UAV: Blockchain-based Efficient and Trusted Authentication for UAV Communication. In: 2022 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Communication Technology (ICCT), Nanjing, China, 11-14 Nov 2022, ISBN 9781665470681 (doi: 10.1109/ICCT56141.2022.10072981)

This list was generated on Sat Mar 8 19:45:09 2025 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Conference Proceedings
Number of items: 7.

Articles

Hafeez, S., Shawky, M. A. , Al-Quraan, M. , Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) BETA-UAV: Blockchain-based efficient authentication for secure UAV communication [Pre-print]. arXiv,

Hafeez, S., Cheng, R. , Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) A blockchain-enabled framework of UAV coordination for post-disaster networks [Pre-print]. arXiv, (doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2402.15331)

Hafeez, S., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2024) Blockchain-enabled Clustered and Scalable Federated Learning (BCS-FL) framework in UAV networks [Pre-print]. arXiv, (doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2402.05973)

Hafeez, S., Khan, A. R., Al-Quraan, M., Mohjazi, L. , Zoha, A. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-assisted UAV communication systems: a comprehensive survey. IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, 4, pp. 558-580. (doi: 10.1109/OJVT.2023.3295208)

Conference Proceedings

Hafeez, S., Manzoor, H. U., Mohjazi, L. , Zoha, A. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-Empowered Immutable and Reliable Delivery Service (BIRDS) Using UAV Networks. In: 2023 IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (IEEE CAMAD), Edinburgh, UK, 6–8 Nov 2023, (Accepted for Publication)

Hafeez, S., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) Blockchain-enabled Clustered and Scalable Federated Learning (BCS-FL) Framework in UAV Networks. In: 2023 IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (IEEE CAMAD), Edinburgh, UK, 6–8 Nov 2023, (Accepted for Publication)

Hafeez, S., Shawky, M. A. , Al-Quraan, M., Mohjazi, L. , Imran, M. A. and Sun, Y. (2023) BETA-UAV: Blockchain-based Efficient and Trusted Authentication for UAV Communication. In: 2022 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Communication Technology (ICCT), Nanjing, China, 11-14 Nov 2022, ISBN 9781665470681 (doi: 10.1109/ICCT56141.2022.10072981)

This list was generated on Sat Mar 8 19:45:09 2025 GMT.

Grants

  • Grant Funding and Awards 
  • Endorsed as ”Global Talent” by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK 2024.
  • BARMAT – HEC PhD Fully-funded Scholarship (2020)
  • Linux Foundation - Scholarship Grant (Dublin, Ireland, 2022)
  • Inspiring Young Women in Tech, Women in Data Science, WIDS London (2023) 
  • Research Mobility Scholarship, Canada (University of Glasgow, 2023-2024)
  • The ComSoc Committee for 2023 Student Tech Leadership at the Future Network World Forum (2023) 
  • IEEE 99th Vehicular Technology Conference: VTC2024-Spring Singapore, (Travel grant 2024)

Supervision

 

 

Teaching

Courses Taught

  • ENG1063: Engineering Mathematics 1 (2022–23, 2023–24)
  • ENG1033: Materials 1 (2023–24)
  • ENG2037: Introduction to Aerodynamics 2 (2023–24)
  • ENG2083: Introductory Programming 2 (2023–24)
  • ENG2086: Engineering Mathematics 2 (2023–24)
  • ENG3034: Instrumentation and Data Systems 3 (2022–23, 2023–24)
  • ENG3036: Simulation of Engineering Systems 3 (2023–24)
  • ENG3041: Power Engineering 3 (2023–24)
  • ENG4013: Aerospace Design Project 4 (2023–24)
  • ENG5044: Integrated Systems Design Project M (2023–24)
  • ENG5076: Simulation Of Aerospace Systems (2023–24)
  • ENG5325: Robotics Team Design Project M (2023–24)
  • ENG1003: Analogue Electronics 1 (2022–23)
  • ENG5059P: MSc Project (2021–22)
  • ENG4088/ENG5049 (2023–24)
  • Creativity 2 (2023–24)
  • UESTC3028: Advanced Project Skills Summer School for Glasgow College UESTC (2022–23)
  • UESTC CHINA SUMMER SCHOOL
  • KAUST SUMMER SCHOOL 2024
  • MULTIDISCIPLINARY OIP SINGAPORE SUMMER SCHOOL 2024

Research Supervision

  • Master’s Project Supervision
  • Innovation in Teaching
  • Robotics and Team-Based Projects
  • Aerospace Design Initiatives
  • Integrated Systems Design

Additional information

 

  • Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:
    Dr. Hafeez is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering.

  • IEEE Communications Society Volunteer:
    Actively volunteers for the IEEE Communications Society, notably contributing at the Lord Kelvin 100th Celebration IEEE UK and Ireland Women in ComSoc Event, Empowering Diverse Voices: Shaping Pathways for a Sustainable Future.

  • Support for Underrepresented Groups:
    Volunteers with smartSTEM UK, demonstrating her dedication to supporting underrepresented groups in STEM.

  • Professional Memberships:

    • IEEE Young Professional and Graduate Member
    • Member of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS)
    • Involved with SCOPE at the University of Glasgow (2022–2024)
    • Member of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK
    • Actively engaged with IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) and IEEE SIGHT
    • Member of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Group (EDIG) at the University of Glasgow

       

 

 


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