About me

My name is Xinyu Zhang (张欣雨), and I’m a Research Fellow (Postdoc.) at Monash University. My research interests are applied cryptography, specialise in symmetric key primitives-based post-quantum cryptography.

My journey into cryptography has been quite unconventional. I initially studied electronic commerce during my bachelor’s degree (which, to put it simply, was about learning how to run a business online). At that time, I struggled with my university math courses and couldn’t see the relevance of mathematics in my studies. To be honest, before I learn cryptography, I can’t see the the point of learning math (how naive I was!). Now, as I work in cryptography, I regret not paying more attention to my math courses during my bachelor’s.

Later, I pursued a Master of Information Technology at Monash University, where I took an elective unit, FIT5163: Information and Computer Security, taught by Joseph Liu, who is now my supervisor. He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and his approach to teaching cryptography inspired my passion for the subject. This led me to pursue my master’s thesis with the topic ring siganture under the supervision of Joseph and Ron. Then, with a recommendation letter from Veronika Kuchta (who was a Postdoc. at Monash and the lecturer of FIT5124 Advanced topics for security) to Joseph Liu, I was lucky to be accepted as a PhD student under Joseph and Ron’s supervision.

I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has supported me along this journey!

2025 News

October

• Our most recent paper: Pegasus and PegaRing: Efficient (Ring) Signatures from Sigma-Protocols for Power Residue PRFs with (Q)ROM Security, is now on eprint! [pdf]

2024 News

September

• I will be the session chair for the “Encryption” and “Tight Security” sessions at ProvSec 2024.

July

• Our paper Loquat: A SNARK-Friendly Post-Quantum Signature based on the Legendre PRF with Applications in Ring and Aggregate Signatures, has been accepted by Crypto 2024! [pdf]
• Our paper DualRing-PRF: Post-Quantum (Linkable) Ring Signatures from Legendre and Power Residue PRFs, has received the best paper award at ACISP 2024! [pdf]