James Ghawaly
About
I am an Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU), with a joint appointment in the LSU Center for Computation & Technology (CCT). I lead two overlapping research thrusts: (1) modern and emerging deep learning applied to national security, particularly nuclear nonproliferation and cybersecurity; and (2) neuromorphic computing algorithms (spiking neural networks), spanning both applied work on ultra-low-power, spike-native models for edge sensing and foundational work on training methods, robustness, and design principles for spike-based architectures. I am the lead designer and developer of MikeGPT, LSU’s in-house LLM agent for interacting with the university’s broad data ecosystem. Prior to LSU, I was a staff research data scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where I led applied deep learning and neuromorphic projects for federal sponsors. At LSU, I teach an upper-division capstone-style course on LLMs as well as graduate courses on advanced deep learning and LLMs. Across my projects, I’m motivated by mission-driven AI that advances capability while approaching the efficiency of biological neural systems.
Research Performance Summary
First Recorded Paper
Localization of a radioactive source in an urban environment using Bayesian Metropolis methods
Year: 2019
Citations: 33
Venue: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators
Latest Recorded Paper
Full spectrum modeling of in situ gamma-ray detector measurements with a focus on precipitation-induced transients
Year: 2026
Citations: 1
Venue: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 291
Last 10 Years Publication Activity
This timeline shows the professor's yearly publication activity.