Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Dr. Charles Shen is the founder of inWeb3, a platform that aims to demystify the emerging Web 3.0 technologies and help people ride this social mega-trend early - ahead of the crowd, but safe - beyond the hype. Before founding inWeb3, he was with Columbia University as Co-Director of the Advanced ConsTruction and InfOrmation techNology (ACTION) Laboratory and Research Scientist at the Center for Buildings, Infrastructure, and Public Space.

Charles is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University (2010) and an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School (2017). He obtained his master's and bachelor's degree from the National University of Singapore (2001) and Zhejiang University of China (1997), respectively.

Research Experience

Over the past two decades, Charles has accumulated rich interdisciplinary research experience at major academic institutions and companies around the world. In addition to Columbia University's Departments of Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering, he spent various amounts of time doing research at AT&T, IBM Watson Research Center, Telcordia Technologies (now part of Ericsson), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and Singapore's Institute for InfoComm Research (A*STAR).

Charles' research expertise has yielded eight awarded US patents, three Internet standards, and dozens of peer-reviewed papers at prestigious journals and conference proceedings. Most of his work is related to technologies that are instrumental to the emerging Web 3.0 era, such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data, mobile wireless telecommunication networks, cybersecurity, and the Internet Protocol. Below are some of his past projects and outcomes in these areas.

Blockchain Research

Charles’ research on Blockchain focuses on better understanding Blockchain applications for the real economy. The Blockchain for Cities project conducted at Columbia University provided a comprehensive review of blockchain use cases across all major urban sectors.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research

Charles researched on applying AI to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) domain. This project reviewed the state-of-art in literature and proposed a framework for next-generation AI platform that aims to modernize the AEC industry.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Cybersecurity Research

Charles’ cybersecurity research experience centers on the wireless mobile Internet. It covers both mobile devices at the edge network and servers in the IP-telecommunication core network.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Internet Protocols (IP) and IP-based Telecommunication Networks Research

Charles conducted in-depth research and co-invented a series of technologies that help the IP-based telecommunications network meet the scalability and reliability requirements for everyday use.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Internet of Things (IoT) and Open Big Data Research

Charles conducted research applying IoT in the construction management domain. The project built an integrated IoT-BIM system that provides a visualized decision-making tool to help reduce construction hazards in confined spaces, thus improving construction safety.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

United States Patents

List of awarded United States patents for technologies Charles co-invented with researchers at AT&T, Columbia University, and Samsung.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Internet Standards

Internet Standards Charles co-created with researchers at Columbia University, NTT, Bell Labs, AT&T, Samsung, and Sonus Networks.

inWeb3Charles Shen, PhD, EMBA

Community Leadership and Services

As a first-generation immigrant, Charles is a long-time community service volunteer especially on initiatives related to Asian Americans. He served as leader of major non-profit Chinese American professional organizations with over ten thousand members in the US. In this capacity, he successfully organized numerous initiatives, ranging from lectures and programs promoting high school STEM education to large international conferences on technology and entrepreneurship. Speakers of these events include Nobel laureates, chief executives of Fortune 500 companies, startup entrepreneurs, venture investors, as well as federal, state, and city officials.

Charles' leadership and community services have been recognized by many honors, including the US President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award, Citation for outstanding leadership from the City Council of Philadelphia, and Honorary Citizen of the City of Williamsport, PA.