Prof. Dr. Lucas Carvalho Cordeiro | Formal methods – Professor at University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Dr. Lucas Carvalho Cordeiro is a globally recognized expert in the fields of formal methods, software verification, and cyber-physical systems. Holding a Full Professorship at the University of Manchester, he has established himself as a key figure in advancing automated reasoning and ensuring the security and reliability of modern software systems. His leadership extends across several research centers, where he guides innovative projects that address critical challenges in software engineering and embedded systems. Dr. Cordeiro’s work is distinguished by a rare combination of rigorous academic research and practical impact, as he actively collaborates with industry partners to bring cutting-edge verification technologies into real-world applications. Over the past two decades, his contributions have influenced both foundational theory and applied solutions, enabling more secure and dependable digital infrastructures worldwide.
🌐 Academic Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Cordeiro’s educational journey laid a strong foundation for his interdisciplinary expertise. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southampton, one of the UK’s premier research institutions, where his dissertation focused on SMT (Satisfiability Modulo Theories)-based bounded model checking techniques tailored for embedded systems. This early work positioned him at the forefront of formal verification methods that can detect subtle errors in safety-critical software. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s degree in Informatics at the Federal University of Amazonas in Brazil, where he developed a keen interest in computer science fundamentals, programming languages, and system verification. His undergraduate education in Electrical Engineering at the same university provided a solid grounding in hardware design and embedded systems. Notably, Dr. Cordeiro enriched his academic training through international experience as a CAPES/DAAD scholar in Germany, gaining exposure to different research cultures and advancing his skills in formal methods and software verification. This blend of education across countries and disciplines has enabled him to adopt a holistic and innovative approach to complex engineering problems.
💼 Experience
Dr. Cordeiro’s professional experience spans nearly two decades, bridging academia, research institutes, and industry. At the University of Manchester, he currently leads major initiatives that promote business engagement and research innovation, managing teams that develop state-of-the-art verification tools. His responsibilities include spearheading collaborations with global technology companies, securing funding for groundbreaking projects, and mentoring the next generation of software engineers and researchers. Before his current role, he contributed as a Research Engineer at the University of Oxford, working on advanced software analysis techniques that enhance the reliability of critical systems. Dr. Cordeiro’s industrial experience includes significant software development roles at BenQ-Siemens and NXP, where he applied his theoretical knowledge to real products, tackling challenges related to embedded firmware and hardware-software integration. This blend of academia and industry experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of both the theoretical underpinnings and practical constraints of software verification, enabling him to create tools and methodologies that are robust, scalable, and industry-relevant.
🔬 Research Interest
Dr. Cordeiro’s research focuses on the intersection of formal methods, software engineering, and cybersecurity, with an emphasis on automated verification and validation of complex systems. His primary interests include developing innovative bounded model checking techniques, symbolic execution, and static and dynamic program analysis methods to uncover defects and security vulnerabilities in embedded software and cyber-physical systems. He is the lead developer of several influential verification tools, such as ESBMC (Efficient SMT-Based Context-Bounded Model Checker), JBMC (Java Bounded Model Checker), DSSynth, and FuSeBMC-AI, which integrate AI techniques with formal verification to enhance coverage and accuracy. His research also addresses the security implications of AI-generated code, neural network verification, and trustworthy software development, aiming to establish rigorous foundations for the next generation of intelligent and connected systems. Dr. Cordeiro’s work has a strong interdisciplinary dimension, drawing from computer science, electrical engineering, and artificial intelligence, reflecting the evolving landscape of software verification in the era of AI and IoT (Internet of Things).
🏆 Awards
Dr. Cordeiro has been widely recognized for his excellence in research and leadership. He has received multiple Best Paper Awards, including at prestigious conferences such as SBESC (Symposium on Software Testing, Analysis and Verification) in 2015 and SAC (Symposium on Applied Computing) in 2008, showcasing his ability to produce high-impact research. His papers have also been honored with Distinguished Paper Awards at leading venues like ICSE (International Conference on Software Engineering) in 2011 and ASE (Automated Software Engineering) in 2024. Perhaps most notably, he received the Most Influential Paper Award at ASE 2023, reflecting the long-term significance of his contributions to software verification. Beyond individual papers, Dr. Cordeiro has led teams to 46 first-place wins at international competitions such as SV-COMP (Software Verification Competition) and Test-Comp, underscoring the practical effectiveness of his verification tools in rigorous, competitive settings. His outstanding research achievements have attracted substantial funding exceeding USD 13 million, secured from leading agencies including UKRI, EPSRC, and industrial giants like Intel and ARM, demonstrating trust and recognition from both academic and industrial stakeholders.
📚 Publications
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📘 “How secure is AI-generated code: a large-scale comparison of large language models” (2025), published in Empirical Software Engineering, cited by 14 articles. This paper critically evaluates the security risks and robustness of AI-generated code, an emerging and vital area of research.
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🧠 “Counterexample Guided Neural Network Quantization Refinement” (2024), appearing in IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, cited by 10 articles. It introduces novel methods to improve neural network quantization, enhancing reliability in resource-constrained environments.
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🔐 “FuSeBMC v4: Improving Code Coverage with Smart Seeds via BMC, Fuzzing and Static Analysis” (2024), featured in Formal Aspects of Computing, cited by 6 articles. This work advances automated test case generation by combining multiple analysis techniques, improving software testing effectiveness.
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🌐 “Edge Learning for 6G-enabled Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Survey” (2023), published in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, cited by 85 articles. A thorough survey exploring emerging edge learning techniques critical for future wireless networks and IoT systems.
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🧪 “Towards Global Neural Network Abstractions with Locally-exact Reconstruction” (2023), in Neural Networks, cited by 12 articles. This paper presents abstraction methods that facilitate scalable neural network verification.
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📺 “A Fuzzing-Based Test-Creation Approach for Digital TV Receivers” (2023), in Software Testing, Verification and Reliability, cited by 8 articles. It proposes novel fuzz testing approaches tailored to embedded digital TV systems.
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⚙️ “ESBMC 6.1: Automated Test Case Generation using Bounded Model Checking” (2021), published in the International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer, cited by 20 articles. This article details the latest advances in ESBMC, a flagship tool for software verification.
✍️ Conclusion
In summary, Dr. Lucas Carvalho Cordeiro exemplifies the highest standards of scholarly excellence and practical impact in software verification and formal methods. His interdisciplinary research has yielded pioneering verification tools that are widely adopted in academia and industry, significantly enhancing the reliability and security of embedded and cyber-physical systems. His leadership in securing large-scale funding, mentoring future researchers, and consistently producing influential publications underscores his status as a visionary in the field. This award nomination recognizes not only Dr. Cordeiro’s exceptional past achievements but also his ongoing commitment to advancing the frontiers of trustworthy computing in an increasingly digital world. His work continues to shape the future of software engineering and cybersecurity, making him a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.