Rate My Professor Mike O'Neal

Mike O’Neal is the Academic Director of Computer Science, Cyber Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and a Professor of Computer Science at Louisiana Tech University, holding the Larson Endowed Professorship since 2006. He previously served as Chair of the Computer Science Program. O’Neal received his B.S. in Computer Science magna cum laude in 1982 and M.S. in 1984 from Louisiana Tech University, and Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1989 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Over three decades in higher education, he co-founded OneNetNow.com (1999-2001, acquired by EarthLink in 2001) and Network Foundation Technologies (2001-2012) as Co-Founder and CTO. He holds fifteen U.S. patents and has led numerous research projects as PI or Co-PI, including DARPA’s “Context-Aware Active Authentication using Touch Gestures, Typing Patterns and Body Movement” ($2,027,167, 2013), Air Force “A Modernized Framework for Air Force Supply Chain Management Incorporating Mobile Devices” ($1.28M, 2018), NASA STTR Phase II “Integrated Monitoring Awareness Environment (IM-Aware)” ($183,000, 2016), and multiple NSF SBIR/STTR grants totaling over $1.2M (2007-2011) on hybrid distributed systems for broadcasting content. Recent grants include “Predictive/Preventative Maintenance for Downtime Reduction: AI/ML/Data Mining Component” ($288,503, 2025) and “Applying Machine Learning to Educational Material/Course Development” ($248,989, 2024).

His research specializations include active authentication using behavioral biometrics, computer science education, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and distributed online broadcast technologies. Key publications comprise the book “The Science of Computing: An Introduction” (1995-2016), “DISPERSE: A Decentralized Architecture for Content Replication Resilient to Node Failures” (IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 2020), “The Impact of Application Context on Privacy and Performance of Keystroke Authentication Systems” (Journal of Computer Security, 2018), “Restructuring Computing Programs to Meet Employment Challenges” (Computer, 2004), “Complexity Measures for Rule-Based Programs” (IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, 1994), and “Comprehending Rule-Based Programs: A Graph-Oriented Approach” (International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 1993). O’Neal has received the Research & Economic Impact Award (Louisiana Tech University College of Engineering and Science, 2019), Distinguished Alumnus Award in Computer Science (2018), Tibbetts Award (U.S. Small Business Administration to Network Foundation Technologies, 2011), Louisiana Governor’s Technology Awards Company of the Year (to Network Foundation Technologies, 2009), and Fellow of Excellence Award in Undergraduate Computer Science Education (State of Louisiana, 1998-1999). He currently works on Air Force-sponsored projects to modernize logistical systems incorporating IoT concepts, handheld terminals, and smart containers.