People

Ken Christensen

Ken Christensen

Professor and Associate Chair of UG Affairs

ENB 319 | 813-974-4761

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Biography

Dr. Ken Christensen is a professor and Associate Chair of Undergraduate Affairs in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. His research interests are at the intersection of networks and energy in the area of energy-efficient computing and communications systems, and the application of communications to improving the storage, distribution, and use of energy in small grids. In the past 20 years, Ken has made significant contributions toward proxying for network connectivity and Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE). This research has contributed to Ecma and IEEE standards and to EPA Energy Star specifications. This research has been funded by NSF, KETI, Cisco, and Google. He has graduated 25 MS students and eight PhD students. Six of his PhD graduates have gone on to tenure-track faculty positions in U.S. and Latin American universities. Ken received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1991, MS from North Carolina State University in 1983, and BS from the University of Florida in 1981. From 1983 to 1995, he was employed at IBM Research Triangle. Since 1995, he has been a faculty member at USF. Ken has over 100 journal and conference publications and 13 U.S. patents. Ken is an ABET EAC program evaluator. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Florida, a Senior Member of IEEE, and a member of ACM and ASEE.

Research Interests

Ken’s research interests are at the intersection of networks and energy in the area of energy-efficient computing and communications systems, and application of communications to improving the storage, distribution, and use of energy in small grids.

Teaching Interests

Computer Networks (CNT 4004) and Senior Project Capstone Design (CIS 4910)

Education

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University (1991)
MS in Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University (1983)
BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Florida (1981)

Honors and Awards

  • USF CSE Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Award, 2022
  • USF Kosove Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Service Award, 2017
  • USF Excellence in Innovation Award (2009)
  • USF Charter Member of Academy of Inventors (2009)
  • USF Outstanding Dissertation Prize (chair for H. Fujinoki), (2001)
  • USF Outstanding Master's Thesis Prize (chair for A. Solleti) (2001)
  • NSF CAREER Award (1999)
  • ASEE/NASA Summer Faculty Fellowship at NASA-KSC (1998 and 1999)
  • USF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award (1997)

Key Activities

  • Member of ACM Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE), 2019 to present
  • Founding member and current President of The Pledge of the Computing Professional. (founded in 2011 with 15 member institutions, current membership of 63 institutions).
  • Advisory Board member for International Journal of Network Management (Wiley)