Rohan Iyer

Selected research

Research

My published work centers on how privacy guarantees can coexist with useful, real-world geospatial systems and algorithms. I developed these for COVID-19 contact tracing solutions in partnership with MIT Media Lab and PathCheck Foundation.

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First-author publicationGISTAM10 citations

Spatial K-anonymity: A Privacy-preserving Method for COVID-19 Related Geo-spatial Technologies

The paper examines how spatial k-anonymity can protect location data while retaining practical utility for systems such as contact tracing and travel heat maps. It compares the approach with differential privacy, geo-indistinguishability, and consent-based redaction.

Rohan Iyer, Regina Rex, Kevin P. McPherson, Darshan Gandhi, Aryan Mahindra, Abhishek Singh, and Ramesh Raskar

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Additional research

Other publications & preprints

Collaborative work spanning public-health systems, privacy engineering, and technology access.

arXiv23 citations

Challenges of Equitable Vaccine Distribution in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Analyzes logistical, socioeconomic, and policy challenges in equitable global COVID-19 vaccine distribution and proposes technology-driven solutions.

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arXiv9 citations

Comparing Manual Contact Tracing and Digital Contact Advice

Compares manual and digital contact tracing approaches across scalability, privacy, adoption, and effectiveness for pandemic response.

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arXiv8 citations

Target Privacy Threat Modeling for COVID-19 Exposure Notification Systems

Develops a threat model spanning software, hardware, people, and regulation for privacy-sensitive exposure notification systems.

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arXiv6 citations

MIT SafePaths Card (MiSaCa): Augmenting Paper Based Vaccination Cards with Printed Codes

Proposes a privacy-preserving, digitally signed QR-code system for vaccine distribution, record keeping, verification, and symptom reporting.

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arXiv5 citations

COVID-19 Tests Gone Rogue: Privacy, Efficacy, Mismanagement and Misunderstandings

Examines privacy, usability, and infrastructure failures in the COVID-19 testing ecosystem and opportunities for scalable digital tools.

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arXiv6 citations

Vaccination Worldwide: Strategies, Distribution and Challenges

Surveys global vaccination strategies, governance, distribution, accessibility, and digital systems for equitable immunization.

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arXiv4 citations

Challenges in Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: A Roadmap for Digital Technology Solutions

Provides a roadmap for leveraging digital technology to address inequities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution across diverse populations.

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arXiv3 citations

Digital Landscape of COVID-19 Testing: Challenges and Opportunities

Maps the digital ecosystem of COVID-19 testing infrastructure and identifies opportunities for technology to improve access and efficiency.

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arXiv10 citations

Clinical Landscape of COVID-19 Testing: Difficult Choices

Compares diagnostic testing approaches and their tradeoffs across efficacy, usability, policy, healthcare, and public health.

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arXiv1 citation

Paper Card-based vs Application-based Vaccine Credentials: A Comparison

Compares paper and app-based credential systems across accessibility, infrastructure, and socioeconomic constraints.

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