Name:Akshay Mittal

Bio:

Akshay Mittal is an accomplished technology leader, IEEE Senior Member, and Staff Software Engineer at PayPal with over a decade of experience in full-stack development, cloud architecture, and secure software engineering. He leads the design and deployment of high-performance cloud-native systems that power mission-critical financial services globally, with deep expertise in distributed architectures, DevSecOps, and performance engineering.
 Currently pursuing a PhD in Information Technology at the University of the Cumberlands, Akshay’s research focuses on AI/ML-driven security and automation for cloud-native environments. His academic contributions include explainable threat detection models, adaptive policy validation pipelines, and automated remediation frameworks—bridging academic theory with production-grade solutions in serverless and microservices-based ecosystems. Akshay has authored multiple peer-reviewed research papers on topics such as cloud security, AI-Augmented DevSecOps, and containerized software engineering. His publications are accessible via his ResearchGate profile, reflecting his active engagement with both scholarly and applied research communities. 
He is a frequent speaker at major technology conferences, including Developer Week, Kubernetes Austin, and IEEE-sponsored workshops, and recently participated in Google’s AI Workshop in Austin to explore cutting-edge developments in AI infrastructure. 
As a passionate advocate for open collaboration and mentorship, Akshay serves as Organizer of the Kubernetes Austin Chapter (under CNCF), co-leads the GenAI Collective Austin, advises the ACM chapter at Texas State University, and contributes to IEEE/ACM educational initiatives. His leadership fosters hands-on learning, community growth, and global knowledge-sharing in the AI and cloud-native domains. 
With a unique blend of technical innovation, impactful research, and sustained community leadership, Akshay is committed to advancing global excellence and empowering the next generation of technologists.

Country:United States

Affiliation:University of the Cumberlands

Research interests:AI, ML, Cloud-Native, Software Engineer