Biography
Dr. Emma Bennett stands at the forefront of blockchain security research, combining deep theoretical knowledge with practical expertise in securing the world's most complex DeFi protocols. Her pioneering work in smart contract auditing has prevented countless vulnerabilities and saved protocols billions in potential losses.
After completing her Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Oxford, where she specialized in formal verification methods for distributed systems, Emma recognized the critical need for robust security frameworks in the emerging blockchain ecosystem. Her doctoral thesis on "Formal Methods for Smart Contract Verification" became a seminal work referenced by security researchers worldwide.
"Security in blockchain isn't just about finding bugs—it's about building systems that are fundamentally resistant to exploitation. Every line of code we audit, every framework we develop, contributes to a more secure and trustworthy decentralized future."
With over 8 years dedicated to crypto infrastructure security, Emma has audited more than 150 DeFi protocols, including several top-10 projects by TVL. Her security frameworks have been adopted by major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, setting new industry standards for smart contract security.
As a regular contributor to IEEE Blockchain and frequent keynote speaker at international conferences including Devcon, Consensus, and Black Hat, Emma continues to shape the conversation around blockchain security. Her research focuses on automated security analysis, zero-knowledge proof systems, and the intersection of AI and blockchain security.
Professional Experience
Areas of Expertise
Smart Contract Security
Expert in identifying vulnerabilities in Solidity, Vyper, and Rust smart contracts. Specializes in complex DeFi protocol interactions and economic attack vectors.
Formal Verification
Advanced techniques in mathematical proof of smart contract correctness. Experience with K Framework, Coq, and custom verification tools.
DeFi Protocol Architecture
Deep understanding of AMMs, lending protocols, derivatives, and complex DeFi primitives. Expert in composability risks and cross-protocol vulnerabilities.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs
Implementation and security analysis of ZK-SNARK and ZK-STARK systems. Expertise in privacy-preserving protocols and rollup security.
Incident Response
Rapid response to live exploits and security incidents. Experience with war rooms, exploit mitigation, and post-mortem analysis.
Cross-Chain Security
Security analysis of bridges, cross-chain messaging protocols, and interoperability solutions. Expert in bridge exploit patterns.
Security Audit Highlights
Notable Audits
Emma has audited some of the most prominent protocols in DeFi, including major DEXs, lending platforms, and innovative DeFi primitives. Her audits are known for their thoroughness and attention to economic attack vectors that traditional audits might miss.
Security Frameworks Developed
Bennett Security Framework v3.0
Comprehensive smart contract security assessment methodology covering 127 vulnerability patterns. Adopted by 30+ audit firms worldwide.
DeFi Composability Risk Model
Mathematical framework for assessing risks in protocol interactions. Predicts cascade effects and identifies systemic vulnerabilities.
Automated Security Scanner Suite
AI-powered toolset for preliminary security analysis. Reduces manual audit time by 40% while maintaining high accuracy.