About the Camp: Undergraduate Research Experience in Machine-Learning based Cybersecurity
NSF REU, SJSU Award; <4% acceptance rate.
I participated in the 2025 summer NSF-supported Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at San Jose State University. The program aims to train students in applying machine learning and deep learning to cybersecurity. We as participants worked full-time over 10 weeks on state-of-the-art projects such as intrusion detection, malware analysis, malicious network traffic modeling, bot detection, and LLM-based security solutions. Students gain hands-on experience with professional tools, close mentorship from faculty, and the opportunity to present their research through posters and papers. The program also provides a stipend, housing and food support, and valuable networking in the cybersecurity research community.
Although designed for undergraduate students, I was selected due to prior research in cybersecurity
for over a year, including multiple
IEEE conference papers. I was nominated by my faculty mentor.
Motivation to join: Explore how AI strengthens cybersecurity, understand real-world threats (malware, network intrusions), and learn how modern tools secure systems.
What I learned: Practical experience with hardware and coding; research-driven projects in intrusion detection and malware analysis; cutting-edge ML/AI applications for cyber defense; emphasis on ethics and responsible innovation.
This was a life-changing experience—it deepened my knowledge, expanded my professional network, and motivated me to pursue further research in this field.
