Nasreen Anjum

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Open to Collaboration and PhD Supervision
I am actively seeking enthusiastic PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and collaborators who are passionate about advancing knowledge in any of the areas below. At the University of Portsmouth, I offer opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research projects with access to academic mentorship, international networks, and industry partnerships. Whether your interests lie in network security protocols, AI-powered cyber defence systems, or securing biotechnology infrastructures, I welcome new ideas and look forward to building impactful collaborations that shape the future of digital and biosecurity.

My research interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, cyber-biosecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on addressing the complex challenges arising from the rapid convergence of digital and biological systems. I am passionate about exploring innovative and interdisciplinary solutions to secure next-generation technologies, particularly in high-impact domains such as healthcare, genomics, and biotechnology.

I actively welcome collaboration with PhD candidates, academic researchers, and industry partners across the following key areas:

1. Internet of Things (IoT) Security
My research in IoT security focuses on securing interconnected devices and networks in environments such as smart homes, healthcare systems, and industrial control systems. I am particularly interested in developing lightweight cryptographic protocols suitable for resource-constrained IoT devices, alongside secure communication architectures and AI-driven anomaly detection systems. I also investigate how edge computing can enhance the security and privacy of IoT ecosystems by enabling decentralised processing and intelligent threat mitigation. This area is ideal for researchers and students interested in the convergence of IoT, edge computing, and AI-based cybersecurity solutions.

2. Cyber-Biosecurity
I am deeply engaged in the emerging field of cyber-biosecurity, which examines the intersection of cybersecurity and biological sciences. My work in this area aims to protect sensitive biological data and ensure the security of biotechnological workflows. A key focus is on developing robust security frameworks for technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), which are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. I am also exploring the risks associated with the adversarial use of AI in synthetic biology, including the potential for misuse in bioweapon development. This research area is particularly suited for candidates and collaborators interested in genomic data protection, AI-bio interfaces, and emerging biosecurity policy.

3. Digital Twins and Cyber-Physical Systems
My research explores the cybersecurity challenges in digital twins and cyber-physical systems (CPS), particularly in sectors like healthcare, smart manufacturing, and intelligent infrastructure. I focus on designing resilient and secure digital twin architectures that can withstand cyberattacks and operate reliably in dynamic environments. Additionally, I explore how AI can be leveraged to enhance the predictive capabilities of digital twins while maintaining system integrity and data confidentiality. This area offers exciting opportunities for researchers interested in CPS, smart cities, and AI-enhanced simulations for real-time system security.

4. Edge and Cloud Computing Security
Another core area of my research addresses the security and privacy challenges in edge and cloud computing environments, particularly as they relate to data-intensive and distributed systems. I focus on developing secure transmission protocols, adaptive access control mechanisms, and AI-driven threat detection algorithms to protect data in hybrid edge-cloud ecosystems. I also examine how edge computing can be integrated with IoT and cloud systems to create secure, scalable, and efficient architectures. This area is well-suited for those interested in distributed system security, privacy-preserving computing, and AI applications in cloud environments.

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD or collaborating on research in any of these areas—or in other areas of network security, cybersecurity, or cyber-biosecurity—please feel free to reach out. Together, we can push the boundaries of knowledge and develop innovative solutions that address the most pressing challenges in cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and the intersection of digital and biological systems.