Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science | New York University
contact: ✉️ bellini[at]nyu[dot]edu

I started as an Assistant Professor in Computer Science & Engineering at New York University in January 2025 (✨). I also help to lead the Clinic to End Tech Abuse as the Director of Research, and act as a core member of SIGCHI CARES to oversee cases in violation of ACM’s policies governing SIG activities (incl. sexual harassment, abuse, plagiarism, falsification). Previously, I had a wonderful time as a postdoctoral scholar with Associate Prof. Nicola Dell and Prof. Thomas Ristenpart at Cornell Tech (NYC). I also earned my Ph.D. in Computer Science across the pond at Newcastle University in the UK.

What drives me as a researcher is to make technology safer for every individual. I combine rigorous data-driven and engaged design research techniques from the fields of Computer Security and Privacy (S&P) and Human- Computer Interaction (HCI) to:

(1) Analyze abusive adversaries’ goals, skills, and attack strategies across in-person and online contexts;
(2) Develop and deploy digital tools that change abusive adversaries’ patterns of behavior in community-based interventions, alongside software applications for assessment, training, and monitoring;
(3) Design responsive sociotechnical interventions to help survivors of technology-based attacks to reclaim their privacy and security and improve their financial wellbeing; and,
(4) Build a community of practice dedicated to safer S&P research involving at-risk users in academia and industry.

To minimize harm to at-risk users, benefit academic theory, and drive real-world impact, my approach encompasses both proactive and reactive anti-abuse strategies. To proactively address technology abuse, I lead efforts to redesign consumer-facing technologies by detecting areas of misuse, and develop digital tools that intervene with abusers to prevent harmful behavior. I couple these efforts with direct, reactive security services for survivors subject to ongoing attacks, and consult with consumer-facing banking, legal, and security services to offer targeted solutions that mitigate harm.

✨ Updates

• [May 2025] Secured a Google Cyber NYC Institutional Research Program grant with Prof. Sunoo Park!
• [May 2025] Attended CHI’25 in Japan, perhaps the most beautiful conference venue yet?
• [April 2025] Thanks for having me as a panelist on digital safety at your Tokyo office Google.