Pratiti Paul

Track
Research Frontiers

Faculty Mentors

Eric Burger
Research Director,
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative

Walid Saad
Wireless Next-G Faculty Lead, Innovation Campus
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research Focus
The research project at Virginia Tech aims to contribute to the development of the anticipated sixth-generation (6G) wireless cellular systems, focusing on secure hybrid Free Space Optical (FSO) and Terahertz (THz) radio links. The primary problem addressed is the inherent vulnerability of FSO and THz links to jamming attacks in hybrid 6G networks. The goal is to establish a secure framework through theoretical and experimental innovations, addressing challenges unique to hybrid FSO/THz systems. The expected impact includes responsible deployment of a robust 6G infrastructure, reliable wireless systems with efficient link switching, advanced learning-based threat detection, experimental validation of mitigation techniques, and the establishment of policies and standards for enhanced security. The interdisciplinary research draws from communication theory, machine learning, policy, security, and statistics, with a focus on building a jamming-resilient and secure 6G system.

Why did you choose to pursue postdoctoral training at Virginia Tech?
I chose to pursue postdoctoral training at Virginia Tech to advance my goals of becoming a leading professional in wireless and security. Collaborating with faculty experts in wireless systems, machine learning, and policy/security will enhance my technical knowledge. The esteemed partnership with Drs. Walid Saad and Eric Burger allows me to broaden my expertise.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin in this fellowship at Virginia Tech?
I am looking forward to working with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Hub facilities, which will provide me with hands-on experience, enriching my experimental knowledge for industry-relevant research outcomes thus enabling global impact.