Sergio Perez-Pelo

PhD in Artificial Intelligence

Bio

Sergio Pérez-Peló is a researcher at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, specializing in optimization, heuristics and metaheuristics for algorithm optimizations, particularly in graph-based areas. He graduated with a Double Degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles campus (ETSII) with an average final mark of 8.17 points, and completed a Master in ICT Security at the UOC with a final average mark of 9.16 points.

He is a member of the high-performance research group in optimization algorithms (GRAFO) at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where he conducts research in the area of optimization, heuristics and metaheuristics while preparing his doctoral thesis. His work has been recognized with 127 citations according to Google Scholar.

Passionate about programming, he participates in programming competitions at university level and trains teams to compete at regional level. He is also deeply interested in cybersecurity, staying up to date with new technologies and scientific advances. Together with Enrique García Galán, he writes and edits a blog about computing, web technologies, and cybersecurity available at https://infseg.com.

Research Focus

Optimization and Metaheuristics: His research focuses on heuristics and metaheuristics for algorithm optimizations, particularly in graph-based problems. His work involves developing heuristic and metaheuristic procedures to solve complex optimization problems.

Combinatorial Optimization: He specializes in trajectory algorithms, genetic algorithms, and multi-objective problems, contributing to the advancement of combinatorial optimization techniques.

Cybersecurity Research: His interest in cybersecurity extends beyond competitions to academic research, bridging the gap between theoretical optimization and practical security applications.

Graph Theory Applications: Much of his optimization work focuses on graph-based problems, applying advanced algorithms to solve complex network and structural optimization challenges.

Education

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (2018-2022)
• MEng in Cybersecurity - Universidad Oberta de Cataluña (2017-2018)
• Computer Science & Software Engineering - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (2013-2017)

Cybersecurity Achievements

Competition Excellence:

• CTF Champion (2022) - First place in the Capture The Flag competition at the VII National Cybersecurity Research Conference, competing against 277 participants from 93 teams worldwide (with Isaac Lozano Osorio and Raúl Martín Santamaría)
• Heappies Team Leader - Winner of the II National Cyber League organized by the Civil Guard (team captain with Raúl Martín Santamaría, Isaac Lozano Osorio, and Javier Yuste Moure)
• MetaRed CTF Winner - Won cumulative prize by stages in the CTF Category limited to the IES of MetaRed (as team captain)

Research Awards & Recognition

Academic Excellence:

• CAEPIA 2018 Award - Best student paper at the CiDReS congress (XVIII Conference of the Spanish Association for Artificial Intelligence)
• Google Scholar Citations - 127 citations reflecting research impact
• Research Leadership - Active member of the GRAFO research group

Programming Competitions

Competitive Programming:

• 2nd Place - ADA-BYRON (UCM Contest)
• SWERC 2016 - Participation at the University of Porto (Portugal) representing Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Team Training - Currently trains teams to participate in competitions at regional level

Publications & Outreach

Academic Publications: Multiple publications in heuristics and metaheuristics through the GRAFO research group, with work recognized at national and international conferences.

Technical Blog: Co-authors the infseg.com blog with Enrique García Galán, covering computing topics with emphasis on web technologies and cybersecurity.

Professional Development

Research Collaboration: Active collaboration within the GRAFO research group, working with leading researchers in optimization algorithms.

Mentoring: Trains programming competition teams, demonstrating commitment to student development.

Industry Engagement: Bridges academic research with practical applications in cybersecurity and optimization.

Current Research Projects

• Graph-based Optimization - Advanced algorithms for complex network problems
• Metaheuristic Development - Novel approaches to combinatorial optimization
• Cybersecurity Applications - Optimization techniques applied to security challenges
• Doctoral Research - Ongoing thesis work in optimization algorithms

Interests

Optimization | Artificial Intelligence | Metaheuristics | Cybersecurity | Programming | Graph Theory | Competitive Programming

Links

• Blog: https://infseg.com (co-authored with Enrique García Galán)
• Personal Website: https://sergiop3rez.github.io/