Dr Alex Potanin
Associate Professor
School of Computing, Australian National University
Programming Languages, Cyber Security, Trustworthy Devices & Systems, Quantum Computing, and Software Engineering
Associate Professor
School of Computing, Australian National University
Programming Languages, Cyber Security, Trustworthy Devices & Systems, Quantum Computing, and Software Engineering
My work spans cyber security, trustworthy systems, quantum computing, programming languages, and software engineering
Capability-based security, authority-safe module systems, and preventing command injection and other attacks through language design. Building secure-by-construction software to defend against real-world cyber threats.
Secure by ConstructionTrustworthy systems security for embedded and space platforms, including consulting for Skykraft and other industry partners. Exploring secure Edge AI deployment on platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson Orin.
Industry ConsultingVerification of quantum programs, including embedding quantum program verification into Dafny and symbolic execution of quantum circuits. Our ESOP 2026 Distinguished Paper validates quantum state preparation programs.
Distinguished Paper AwardA secure general-purpose programming language using object capabilities and effects, developed with Jonathan Aldrich at CMU. The CUE configuration language based its module system on Wyvern.
wyvernlang.github.ioPioneered Generic Ownership, showing how type polymorphism provides ownership support. This approach was adopted by the Rust programming language as "lifetime parameters".
Influenced RustProving pre- and post-conditions of reactive systems, correct-by-construction programming approaches, and formal methods for ensuring software correctness.
Formal MethodsEmpirical studies of software development practices, developer tools and productivity, API usability, and evidence-based approaches to improving software quality and developer experience.
Empirical SECurrent postdocs and PhD students
View all current & past students
I am always looking for motivated graduate students to work on programming language design, type systems, software verification, and related areas.
How to Apply ANU PhD ScholarshipsAward-winning and high-impact work across two decades of research
Alex completed his PhD in 2006 on Generic Ownership, showing how type polymorphism can be used to provide ownership type support in any language. This approach has since been widely adopted by the Rust Programming Language as "lifetime parameters". He went on to demonstrate deep connections between ownership and immutability with the help of the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund (2008 - 2011), with a book chapter on Immutability outlining the core outcomes of this work.
After a full-year sabbatical at Carnegie Mellon University working with Professor Jonathan Aldrich, Alex created the Wyvern Programming Language - a novel general-purpose language designed from the ground up with security and usability as its primary goals. This produced numerous publications including work on type-specific languages and decidable typing for type members. Alex is currently working on modern module system designs based on capabilities, combinations of abstract and algebraic effects, and programming language design for fully verified and secure software.
Alex's ownership type system research directly influenced how the Rust programming language implements its ownership and lifetime system - one of Rust's defining features for memory safety. The well-known "The Performance of Open Source Applications" book cites his research that revolutionised performance evaluations in Talos and similar systems. The CUE configuration language, used widely within Alibaba's cloud, based its module system on Wyvern's design.
Grants and industry funding supporting our research
| Period | Grant | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2023 | SHEADI Faculty Strategic Initiative PhD Scholarship | $100,000 |
| 2020 - 2021 | Robonomics Network Research Grant | $72,000 |
| 2017 - 2018 | Oracle Corporation Research Grant | $70,000 |
| 2009 - 2011 | Royal Society of NZ Marsden Fast Start Grant | $300,000 |
| 2012 | Mozilla Foundation Research Grant | $15,000 |
| 2007 - 2016 | VUW University Research Fund (multiple rounds) | $47,000 |
| 2009 | RSNZ ISAT Grant | $5,420 |
Active leadership roles in the programming languages community
Chair, 2024 - 2026
Member at Large and Treasurer, 2025 - 2027
General Chair, Auckland, NZ
Research Committee Co-Chair
