Collins Munyendo, a final year Computer Science Ph.D. candidate, was recently awarded the prestigious John Karat Usable Privacy and Security Student Research Award, awarded annually to the top graduate student in usable privacy and security.
Munyendo was nominated for the award based on his research, mentorship, and community service in usable privacy and security. A 2024 awardee of the Google PhD Fellowship in Security, Privacy, and Abuse Prevention, Munyendo has conducted paradigm-shifting research in the field, often focusing on the privacy and security challenges faced by various underserved communities across the globe.
Much of his research has focused on the unique privacy and security challenges most users face globally. Munyendo’s study on privacy concerns with loan apps in Kenya was quoted by TechCrunch, and contributed to Google’s move to limit the sensitive permissions that such apps can access on users’ devices, improving privacy for millions of loan app users worldwide. His research has also received multiple awards, including a Distinguished Paper Award at the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, and most recently the IAPP SOUPS Privacy Award at the Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security.
Munyendo’s commitment to real-world impact is not just limited to his research, however. He has been committed to mentorship and community service throughout his academic career, citing a desire to give back to the community that has given him so much.
“A lot of conferences rely on volunteers. I’ve tried to volunteer a lot because others have given back so much to our community and helped me get here as well,” Munyendo explained.
Munyendo values the contributions of others in the community, especially his many mentors, who have helped him become the esteemed researcher he is today.
“I’ve really benefitted from having good mentors throughout my journey. Five years ago, I felt like I was just a random kid from Kenya who knew nothing about research,” Munyendo shared.
He credits his advisor, GW Associate Professor of Computer Science Adam Aviv, for giving him both hands-on support and opportunities to explore the field independently.
“I am beyond delighted to see Collins’ work recognized. It’s a testament to his keen eye for research problems and his capacity to find and foster strong collaborations. Winning the Karat Award only cements what we all already know: that Collins is a world-class researcher,” Aviv shared.
Munyendo himself has mentored multiple students from their lab, some of whom have gone on to publish first-author papers and pursue PhD programs at top institutions. Munyendo has ensured his mentorship extends beyond the lab, though, traveling back to Kenya to mentor high school students and introduce them to the computer science pathway.
The award winner was announced on August 11th at the 2025 Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security (SOUPS), an interdisciplinary gathering of researchers and practitioners in security, privacy, and human-computer interaction. Munyendo accepted the award in person and expressed his honor.
“It’s hard to put into words the feeling of winning this award. Over the years, I’ve seen really amazing people win this award and go on to do really great things. I am very honored to be recognized this way by our community,” Munyendo concluded.
Munyendo is currently seeking research opportunities, both in academia and industry.