Hala ElAarag

Professor of Computer Science

Hala ElAarag joined Stetson University in 2002. Professor ElAarag believes that students learn best by doing. She strives to provide the students with a deeper learning experience that enables them to master the skills they need to possess to succeed in the 21st century. Mastering those skills enables the students to apply academic knowledge in and outside the classroom. She enjoys engaging students in her research and has a lifelong connection with students. 

  • PhD, computer science, University of Central Florida
  • MS, computer science, Alexandria University
  • BS, computer science, Alexandria University

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Biography

Hala ElAarag is a professor of computer science at Stetson University, Deland, Florida. She is a senior member of ACM and IEEE and former president of the Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges. She received her PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida in 2001, her MSc and BSc from Alexandria University in 1991 and 1989, respectively. Her research interests include computer networks, machine learning, virtual reality, modeling and simulation and performance evaluation.  ElAarag has over 70 publications in prestigious international journals and conference proceedings, in addition to eleven edited books.

She is the author of the reference book Web Proxy Cache Replacement Strategies Simulation, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation (Springer 2013). Professor ElAarag has developed 15 different computer science courses. Over the years, she taught most of the core computer science courses as well as many special topic courses. She has obtained the University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science alumni award in recognition of her outstanding professional achievement in 2025. IEEE Region 3 Biedenbach Outstanding Engineering Educator Award, 2022, Stetson University McEniry Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2021, Florida Council IEEE Outstanding Engineering Educator Award in 2020, and IEEE Orlando Chapter Outstanding Engineering Educator Award in 2019. Professor ElAarag obtained Faculty Mentoring Award from the Mathematics and Computer Science Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research in 2015, the Society for Modeling and Simulation International, SCS, Outstanding Service award for outstanding and dedicated technical contributions and services to the Modeling and computer simulation discipline and to SCS, July 2012, and Stetson University research award in 2005. She also obtained Best Paper Awards at the 11th Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS08) and the 39th Consortium of Computing Sciences (CCSC) Eastern Regional Conference 2023. ElAarag was the American Association for University Women (AAUW) Central Florida Tech Trek Coordinator and Director of STEM camp for middle school girls, 2021-2023. She served as Vice President/President Elect of the Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges 2014-2016 and President 2016-2018. She was co-general chair of Communication and Networking Simulation Symposium 2009 and 2015-2019. She was a Program Chair and a board member of Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges Southeastern Region (2011-2013). ElAarag was Vice General Chair and General Chair of Society for Modeling and Simulation International (SCS) Spring Simulation Multiconference 2011 and 2012, respectively. She was a National Councilor of the Mathematics and Computer Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 2011-2014.

More About Hala ElAarag

Areas of Expertise

  • Computer Science

Course Sampling

  • Computer Organization (CSCI201)
  • Operating Systems (CSCI301) 
  • Computer Networks (CSCI304) 
  • Algorithms Analysis (CSC311)

Professor ElAarag is interested in various fields of computer science as indicated by her list of publications. Currently, she is interested in: 

  • Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and LLMs. 
  • Computer Networks and Cybersecurity
  • Performance Evaluation
  • Computer Science Education 

Books: 

  • ElAarag H., "Web Proxy Cache Replacement Strategies: Simulation, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation | SpringerLink", Series: Springer Briefs in Computer Science ElAarag, VIII, ISBN 978-1-4471-4892-0, January 31, 2013 

Edited Books: 

  • ElAarag H., co-editor, Proceedings of the 21st Communications and Networking Symposium (CNS 2018), simulation series, Vol., No., Baltimore MD, April 15-18, 2018, ISBN 9781510860155 
  • ElAarag H., co-editor, Proceedings of the 20th Communications and Networking Symposium (CNS 2017), simulation series, Vol. 49, No. 2, Virginia Beach, VA, 23-26 April 2017, ISBN 9781510838215 
  • ElAarag H., editor, Proceedings of the 19th Communications and Networking Symposium (CNS 2016), simulation series Vol. 48 No. 3, Pasadena CA, April 3-6, 2016, ISBN 9781510823174 
  • ElAarag H., co-editor, Proceedings of the 18th Communications and Networking Symposium ( CNS 2015), simulation series Vol. 47 No. 3, Alexandria VA, April 12-15, 2015, ISBN 978-1-5108-0100-4 
  • ElAarag H., Contributing editor, The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 30, Number 2, December 2014, ISSN:1937-4771 
  • ElAarag H., Contributing editor, The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 29, Number 2, December 2013, ISSN:1937-4771 
  • Abhari A., ElAarag H., and Rajaei H., edited by, Proceedings of the 2012 Spring Simulation Multiconference, 15th Communications and Networking Symposium 2012, Simulation Series Volume 44 Number 3, ISBN: 978-1-61839-785-0 
  • ElAarag H., Contributing editor, The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 28, Number 2, December 2012, ISSN:1937-4771 
  • ElAarag H., Contributing editor, 2011, The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 27, Number 2, December 2011, ISSN:1937-4771. 
  • ElAarag H., Edited by, 2009, "Proceedings of the 12th Communications and Networking Simulation Symposium", part of Proceedings of the SCS Spring Simulation Multiconference, Society for Modeling and Simulation International, March 2009, ISBN: 1-56555-326-8 
  • ElAarag H., Edited by, 2008, "Proceedings of the 11th Communications and Networking Simulation Symposium", part of Proceedings of the SCS Spring Simulation Multiconference, Society for Modeling and Simulation International, April 2008, ISBN: 1-56555-318-7

Journal and Refereed Conference proceedings 

  • Anas Gamal*, Anders Jensen*, Hala ElAarag, Improving Merge Sort and Quick Sort Performance by Utilizing Alphadevs Sorting Networks as Base Cases, ACM Southeast Conference 2025.
  • Joshua Eckroth, Lannie Hough*, Hala ElAarag, OneRuleToFindThem: Efficient Automated Generation of Password Cracking Rules, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 39, Issue 3, 2023. 
  • Michael Sanjaya* and Hala ElAarag, A Novel Application for Automating Security Risk Assessment and Mitigation of Bluetooth Infotainment Devices, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 38, Issue 5, 2022. 
  • Hala ELAarag, A Hands-On Approach to Teaching Operating Systems through Building a Cluster Using Raspberry Pis, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 38, Issue 5, 2022. 
  • Nicanor Vergara* and Hala ElAarag, Bluu: A Prototype for Nicotine Consumption Tracking, Proceedings of ACM Southeast Conference, April 2022, pp. 2-8. 
  • Yizheng Wang* and Hala ElAarag, A Detection and Tracking System for Fisheye Videos from Traffic Intersections, Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference, pp.427-443, March 2022. 
  • Hudson Devoe*, Nick Gilmet* and Hala ElAarag, A Novel Routing Protocol for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Based on The Behavior of Slime Mold Physarum Polycephalum, Proceedings of 2021 Annual Modeling and Simulation Conference, ANNSIM 2021, July 19 - 22, 2021, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA 
  • Oliver Haney* and Hala ElAarag, Secure Suite: An Open-Source Service for Internet Security Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference, 2021. 
  • Christian Micklisch*, Nathan Hilliard* and Hala ElAarag, Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Quadrotor Systems and Their Onboard Sensors, Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International. December 8, 2020 
  • Hala ElAarag, Mohammed H Batarfi*, Isabel Ho Li*, Tram Nguyen*, Jesus Argel*, Brandon A Belna*, Kyle N Burda* and John H Sawyer*, "Industry Challenges for Algorithms Analysis Students", Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 35 Issue 7, 2020. 
  • Bailey Granam* and Hala ElAarag, Utilization of Fuzzy Logic in CPU Scheduling Various Computing Environments, Proceedings of the 2019 ACM Southeast conference, Kennesaw, GA, April 18-20, 2019 
  • Ryan Anderson*, Juan Toledo* and Hala ElAarag, Feasibility Study on the Utilization of Microsoft HoloLens to Increase Driving Conditions Awareness, Proceedings of IEEE SoutheastCon 2019, Huntsville, AL, April 11-14, 2019. 
  • Christian Micklisch*, Nathan Hilliard* and Hala ElAarag, Modeling and Simulation of Scalable Flocking with Fully Autonomous Quadrotors, Conference Proceedings of the 2018 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems, Bordeaux, France, July 9-12, 2018. 
  • Roberto Pagan* and Hala ElAarag, "Diabetic Assistant Tool ", Proceedings of the Annual ACM Southeast Conference, Richmond, KY, March 29-31, 2018. 
  • Ou Zheng* and Hala ElAarag, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Using UAVs Equipped with Inexpensive Sensors, Proceedings of Communication and Networking Simulation Symposium, SCS Spring Simulation Multi-conference, Baltimore MD, April 15-18, 2018. 
  • Christian Micklisch,* Nathan Hilliard*, Hala ElAarag, Modeling and Simulation of Fully Autonomous Quadrotors Proceedings of Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS'18), International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2018 Spring Simulation Multiconference, Baltimore, MD, April 15-18, 2018 
  • Hala ElAarag, Deeper Learning in Computer Science Education Using Raspberry Pi, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Volume 33 Issue 2, December 2017. 
  • Nathan Hilliard*, John Salis* and Hala ElAarag, Algorithms for Procedural Dungeon Generation, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges: Volume 33 Issue 1, October 2017. 
  • Jacob Hell*, Michael Clay* and Hala ElAarag, Hierarchical Dungeon Procedural Generation and Optimal Path Finding Based on User Input, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges: Volume 33 Issue 1, October 2017. 
  • Andrew Roles* and Hala ElAarag, Coexistence with Malicious and Selfish Nodes in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks: A Bayesian Game Approach Journal of Algorithms & Computational Technology, Sage Publisher, 2017. 
  • Justin Ridgewell* and Hala ElAarag, Network Coded Internet Friendly Transport Protocol, Journal of Algorithms and Computational Technology, Sage Publisher, 2017. 
  • Justin Ridgewell* and Hala ElAarag, "NCTCP: A Network Code d TCP Protocol", Proceedings of the 19th Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS 2016), International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2016 Spring Simulation Multiconference, simulation series Vol. 48 No. 3, Pasadena, CA April 3-6, 2016 
  • John Cossu* and Hala ElAarag, "Malware Detection Inspired by The Human Immune System and Making Use of Honeytokens, Proceedings of the 18th Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS 2015), International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2015 Spring Simulation Multiconference, simulation series Vol. 47 No. 3, Alexandria, VA, April 12-15, 2015 
  • Harrison Neal* and Hala ElAarag, "A Reliable Covert Communication Scheme Based on VoIP Steganography", Transactions on Data Hiding and Multimedia Security X, Lecture Notes in Computer Science Vol. 8948, Springer-Verlag, pp. 5568, 2015. 
  • J.A. Roles* and Hala ElAarag, A Bayesian Game Approach to Coexistence with Malicious and Selfish Nodes in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks", Proceedings of Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS'14), International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2014 Spring Simulation Multiconference, Tampa, FL, April 13-16, 2014. 
  • Christian Micklisch* and Hala ELAarag, "RapiBaBot: A Solution to The Inverted Pendulum Using a Raspberry Pi and its GPIO", Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference, Lexington, KY, March 13-16, 2014. 
  • Hala ElAarag and Harrison Neal*, "Performance analysis of current data hiding algorithms for VoIP" Proceedings of the Communication and Networking Simulation Symposium, Spring Simulation Multiconference, San Diego, CA, April 7-10, 2013. 
  • J. A. Roles* and Hala ElAarag, "A Smoothest Path Algorithm and its Visualization Tool, Proceedings of the IEEE Southeast Conference, Jacksonville, FL, April 4-7, 2013. 
  • Hala ElAarag, David Bauschlicher* and Steven Bauschlicher*, "System Architecture of HatterHealthConnect: An Integration of Body Sensor Networks and Social Networks to Improve Health Awareness", International Journal of Computer Networks and Communications (IJCNC), Vol.5, No.2, March 2013, pp.1-22. 
  • Hala ElAarag, "Teaching Computer Organization: A Practical Approach", Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 210-217, December 2012. 
  • Hala ElAarag and Sam Romano*, "A Quantitative Study of Web Cache Replacement Strategies using Simulation", Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International, Sage Publication, Volume 88 Issue 5, pp. 507 541, May 2012. 
  • Hala ElAarag and Matt Wozniak*, "Using Fuzzy Inference to Improve TCP Congestion Control over Wireless Networks", Proceedings of Communication and Networking Symposium, International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2012 Spring Simulation Multiconference, Orlando, FL, USA, March 26 - 29, 2012. 
  • Hala ElAarag and Sam Romano*, "Animation of the Traveling Salesman Problem", Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference, Orlando, FL, pp.1-6, March 15-18, 2012 
  • Harrison Neal* and Hala ElAarag, "A Packet Loss Tolerant Algorithm for Information Hiding in Voice over IP" Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference, Orlando, FL March 15-18, 2012. 
  • Hala ElAarag, David Bauschlicher*, Steven Bauschlicher*, "Simulation-Based Comparison of Scheduling Techniques in Multiprogramming Operating Systems on Single and Multi-core processors", The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Vol 27, No 2, pp. 166-173, December 2011. 
  • Salmon S.* and ElAarag H., Simulation-Based Experiments Using EDNAS: The Event-Driven Network Architecture Simulator, Proceedings of Winter Simulation Conference, S. Jain, R.R. Creasey, J. Himmelspach, K.P. White, and M. Fu, eds, Phoenix, AZ, pp. 3266-3277, December 11-14, 2011 
  • Sam Romano* and Hala ElAarag, "A Neural Network Proxy Cache Replacement Strategy and its Implementation in the Squid Proxy Server, Neural Computing & Application s, Vol. 20, No. 1, Feb 2011, pp. 59-78, Springer-Verlag. 
  • Bauschlicher D.*, Bauschlicher S.* and ElAarag H., "Framework for the Integration of Body Sensor Networks and Social Networks to Improve Healthcare", Proceedings of Communication and Networking Symposium, International Society of Modeling and Simulation 2011 Spring Simulation Multiconference, Boston, MA, pp. 19-26, April 3-6, 2011. 
  • Wells D.* and ElAarag H., "A Novel Approach for Automated Music Composition Using Memetic Algorithms", Proceedings of 48th Annual ACM Southeast Conference, Kennesaw, GA, pp.155-159, March 24-26, 2011. 
  • ElAarag H., A Complete Design of a RISC Processor for Pedagogical Purposes, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 205-213, December 2009. 
  • ElAarag H., Hands-on Processor Design Experience for Computer Organization and Architecture Students, Computer in Education Journal, American Society for Engineering Education, Vol. XVIIII No. 3, pp.51-55, July-September 2009. 
  • ElAarag H. and Romano S*. "Training of NNPCR-2: An Improved Neural Network Proxy Cache Replacement Strategy", Proceedings of 2009 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems (SPECTS 2009), Vol. 41, pp. 260-267, 13-16 July 2009. 
  • ElAarag H. and Romano S.*, "Comparison of Function Based Web Proxy Cache Replacement Strategies", Proceedings of 2009 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems (SPECTS 2009), Vol. 41, 13-16 July 2009, pp. 252-259 
  • ElAarag H. and Romano S.*, Improvement of the Neural Network Proxy Cache Replacement Strategy Proceedings of 12th Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS09), Spring Simulation Multiconference, San Diego, CA, March 22-27, 2009 
  • Sean Salmon* and Hala ElAarag, SLAAP: Stream Location-Aware Alliance Partitioning in BitTorrent Networks FOR Video-On-Demand Systems, Proceeding s of 6th Annual IEEE Consumer Communications & Networking Conference, IEEE CCNC 2009, 10 - 13 January 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, pp. 1-2 
  • Cobb W.* and ElAarag H., Web Proxy Cache Replacement Scheme Based on Back Propagation Neural Network, Journal of Systems and Software Vol. 81 Issue 9, Sept 2008, pp. 1539-1558. 
  • ElAarag H., Moedinger A.*, Hogg C.*, "TCP Friendly Protocols for Media Streams over Heterogeneous Wired-Wireless Networks", Computer Communications, The International Journal for the Computer and Telecommunications Industry, Elsevier Publishing, Vol 31 Issue10, June 2008, pp 2242-2256. 
  • Romano S.* and ElAarag H., A Quantitative Study of Recency and Frequency-based Web Cache Replacement Strategies, Proceedings of 11th Communication and Networking Symposium (CNS08), Spring Simulation Multiconference, Ottawa, Canada, April 14-17, 2008, pp. 70-78 
  • ElAarag H. and Hogg C. *, Enhancement of IFTP for Transmission over Wireless Access Networks, Proceedings of IEEE Southeast Conference 2007, Richmond, VA, March 22-25, 200, pp. 651-656 
  • Cobb W.* and ElAarag H., Training and Simulation of Neural Networks for Web Proxy Cache Replacement, Proceedings of 2006 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunications Systems (SPECTS 2006), July 31-August 2, 2006, Calgary, Canada, pp. 279-289. 
  • ElAarag H. and Cobb W.*, A Framework for Using Neural Networks for Web Proxy Cache Replacement, Proceedings of Communication and Networking Simulation Symposium (CNS2006), Spring Simulation Multiconference, Huntsville, Alabama, April 2-6, 2006, pp. 389-396 
  • ElAarag H. and Schindler L.*, A Speech Recognition and Synthesis Tool, Proceedings of 44th ACM Southeast Conference, Melbourne, Florida, USA, March 10-12, 2006, pp.45-49 
  • ElAarag H. and Jennings J *. HashNAT: A Distributed Packet Rewriting System Using Adaptive Hash Functions, Proceedings of 6th ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Networking, and Parallel/Distributed Computing, Maryland, U.S.A, May 23-25, 2005, pp. 282-287 
  • ElAarag H. and Moedinger A.*, Performance Evaluation of an Internet Friendly Transport Protocol over Networks with Lossy Links, Proceedings of Applied Telecommunication Symposium, Spring Simulation Multiconference, San Diego, California, pp. 21-25, April 2-8, 2005. 
  • ElAarag H. and Moedinger A.*, IFTP-W: A TCP-Friendly Protocol for Multimedia Applications over Wireless Networks Proceedings of 43rd ACM Southeast Conference, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, Vol 2, pp.36-40, March 18-20, 2005 
  • Branch C.* and ElAarag H., "Real-Time Rendering of Expensive Small Environments", Proceedings of 2004 International Conference on Imaging Science, Systems, and Technology (CISST'04), Las Vegas, Nevada, June 21-24, 2004 
  • ElAarag H. and Hartford R.*, Web-based Systems for Communication and Scheduling, Proceedings of IEEE Professional Communication Conference, Orlando, FL, pp.201-208, September 2003. 
  • ElAarag H., "Traffic Accident Simulation and Animation", Proceedings of Summer Computer Simulation Conference, Volume 35, No. 3, pp. 630-637, Montreal, Canada, July 2003. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "A Reliable Congestion Control Mechanism for Geocasting in Mobile Wireless Networks, International Journal of Network Management, Volume 13, issue 5, pp. 375-387, September 2003 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "Reliable Multicasting Preserving End-to-End TCP Semantics in Wireless Cellular Networks", Proceedings of 3G Wireless Conference, San Francisco, California, May 2003. 
  • ElAarag H." Using Split TCP for Multimedia Applications Over Wireless Networks", Journal of Internet Technology, special issue on Design of Wireless LANs, Volume 4, No. 3, pp.185-191, April 2003. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "A TCP-friendly Protocol for Media Streams over Best Effort Networks", Proceedings of International Conference on Telecommunications, Papeete, Tahiti, February 2003. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "An Internet Friendly Transport Protocol for Continuous Media over Best Effort Networks", International Journal of Communications and Systems, Wiley and Sons, 15:881-898, 2002. 
  • ElAarag H., "Improving TCP Performance over Mobile Networks", ACM Computing Survey, Vol. 34, No.3, pp. 357-374, September 2002. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., " Performance Evaluation of TCP Connections in Ideal and Non-Ideal Network Environments", Computer Communications Journal, Elsevier Publications, v 24 n 18 pp. 1769-1779, Dec 1, 2001. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "Simulation of Transport Protocols over Wireless Communication Networks", Proceedings of 2000 Winter Simulation Conference, Orlando Florida, pp. 1235-1241, December 2000. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "Transport Control Protocols for Wireless Connections", Proceedings of IEEE 49th Vehicular Technology Conference, Houston Texas, pp. 337-341, May 1999. 
  • ElAarag H. and Bassiouni M., "Performance Evaluation of TCP Implementations in Wireless Networks", Proceedings of SPIE Conference on Digital Wireless Communications for Battlefield Environments, Orlando Florida, pp. 67-78, April 1999. 

*Student co-author 

Magazines and other Publications 

  • Hala ElAarag, "State of the Art Research in Modeling and Simulation", Modeling and Simulation magazine, a publication of the Society of Modeling and Simulation International, A. Tolk, F. Longo, and I. Moon (eds.), Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp.1-4, July 2012. 
  • Hala ElAarag, "Resource Management in the Cloud Using Evolutionary Computation", 2012 Spring Simulation Multiconference (SpringSim'12), March 26 - 29, 2012, Orlando, FL, USA 
  • Hala ElAarag, "An Overview of the Best Papers of the 2011 Spring Simulation Multi-Conference" Modeling and Simulation magazine, a publication of the Society of Modeling and Simulation International, pp.179-182, October 2011.