2026 News 2026: Liudong Xing named a Star in Computer Networking and Communications

Electrical and computer engineering professor is one of only 10 scholars in the world named to the 2025 Stars in Networking and Communications

Commonwealth Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Liudong Xing was recently named to the 2025 Stars in Computer Networking and Communications by N2Women, a global organization of women in the field of networking and communications. Xing is one of only 10 scholars in the world to receive this honor.  

"I am truly honored to be named among the 2025 Stars in Networking and Communications," Xing said. "This recognition reinforces the importance of advancing reliable and resilient sensor networks and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that support critical missions. I am grateful for the opportunity to conduct research that makes a meaningful, real-world impact." 

This latest recognition reflects Xing's stellar reputation in the field of wireless sensor networks and IoT systems. She has been named to Stanford University’s list of the World’s Top 2% Scientists for six consecutive years, and is listed among ScholarGPS's Highly Ranked Scholars, a designation applied to scholars in the top .05% of their specialty. Xing is also ranked among the top 10 researchers in the world in multiple specialties within the field of electrical and computer engineering. She was named to the 2024-2025 class of Distinguished Lecturers by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Communications Society, and published a monograph in 2024 titled Reliability and Resilience in the Internet of Things.  

Her research focuses on how complex technology systems fail and how to design systems to be more dependable. "Many people are surprised to learn that adding redundancy does not always improve system reliability," Xing explained. "In some cases, it can actually make networks more vulnerable due to cascading or common-cause failures. By understanding and modeling these hidden interactions, we can design sensor networks and IoT systems that are more reliable and resilient for mission-critical applications." 

In addition to her extensive research, Xing is a dedicated teacher and mentor to both graduate and undergraduate students at UMass Dartmouth. "What I enjoy most about teaching is helping students grow and discover their potential. Even when motivation or preparation varies, I find it rewarding to guide them, share knowledge, and see the moments when understanding clicks. Their progress, however small, makes teaching deeply fulfilling and reminds me why I love this work."