Sequoia Lab

The name "Sequoia" was chosen to represent the core values of our research lab.

Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are among the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth, native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California—not far from UC Merced. These magnificent trees can live for over 3,000 years and grow to heights exceeding 300 feet.

We chose this name because Sequoias embody the qualities we strive for in our research:

• Resilience: Just as Sequoias have evolved thick, fire-resistant bark to survive forest fires, we build security systems designed to withstand attacks and remain robust in adversarial environments.
• Longevity: Sequoias stand for millennia. Similarly, we focus on post-quantum cryptography—security solutions built to last in the face of emerging quantum computing threats.
• Strong Foundations: Despite their immense height, Sequoias have surprisingly shallow but interconnected root systems that support each other. Our research builds on strong theoretical foundations while fostering collaboration.
• California Heritage: As a UC Merced lab, we're proud to be named after one of California's most iconic natural wonders.