Date: August 30, 2018
Time: 11:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: 655 Reitz Union Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611
Host: UF CISE Department
Admission: This event is free and open to the public.

BLOCKCHAIN: An Overview

Abstract: This talk presents an overview of blockchain, a distributed ledger technology (LT). It includes the specifics of blockchain as the foundation for cryptocurrencies, the emergence of blockchain has a solution for the reconciliation of peer-to-peer transactions (and other interactions) between non-trusted parties, distributed consensus, and other blockchain concepts.

Also discussed are some blockchain implementations, including those for bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), and some of the implemented cryptographic algorithms. Furthermore, discussed are smart contracts, safety and security, and the game-changing potential of blockchain as a new methodology for disintermediating businesses.

Biography: Sandra K. Johnson, an IEEE Fellow, is the CEO at SKJ Visioneering, LLC, a fintech startup company based in North Carolina. It is developing geeRemit, a global remittance mobile app based on blockchain technology and leveraging mobile money. Johnson has over 35 years of experience in computing. She has a high-performance computing background and has conducted research in several computer performance related areas. Johnson has received numerous technical and professional awards, and is a Master Inventor with over 40 issued and pending patents. She has authored and co-authored over 80 publications. Johnson earned B.S. (summa cum laude), M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, all in electrical engineering, from Southern University, Stanford University, and Rice University, respectively, becoming one of the first African-American women to earn a Ph.D. in this field.