Ashrujit Ghoshal

Ashrujit Ghoshal

Assistant Professor

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Email ashrujit [at] cse [dot] iitm [dot] ac [dot] in
Research — Ashrujit Ghoshal

Research

My research focuses on the mathematical foundations of digital trust, specifically by precisely analyzing the security of the cryptographic building blocks that keep the internet safe. I study the strength of essential tools like hash functions and proof systems: technologies that are used billions of times every day to secure our messages and data. By deepening our understanding of these core components, my work aims to ensure that the systems we rely on stay secure even as hackers and technology become more advanced.
In parallel, I work to bridge the gap between abstract theory and practical utility by "supercharging" the efficiency of advanced cryptographic constructions. A major focus of this effort is developing scalable protocols for Private Information Retrieval (PIR), a mechanism that enables truly private browsing by allowing users to query databases without revealing their intent. By optimizing these complex systems for real-world performance, I strive to transform theoretical breakthroughs into practical, deployable standards that safeguard individual privacy at an internet-wide scale.

About

Ashrujit Ghoshal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. His research primarily focuses on theoretical problems motivated by practical applications of cryptography. More broadly, he is interested in the foundations of cryptography, and the design and analysis of cryptographic protocols.

Prior to starting at IIT Madras, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, and before that he received a PhD from the University of Washington and a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur.