Electronics | Interview with the Author of Editor’s Choice Paper—Mrs. Zeynab Anbiaee

Mrs. Zeynab Anbiaee is a PhD student at the University of New Brunswick and a research assistant at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC). Her research focuses on cybersecurity, with a particular emphasis on AI-driven security models and intrusion detection systems (IDS) for next-generation networks.

Mrs. Zeynab holds a master’s degree in information technology engineering with a specialization in computer networks from Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, one of Iran’s top three universities. Her academic and professional interests center on securing AI protocols, developing resilient IoT security mechanisms, and advancing intelligent threat detection models. Through her doctoral research, she aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of AI security and the design of adaptive cybersecurity solutions for emerging digital ecosystems.

1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?
I am a PhD researcher at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, University of New Brunswick. My research focuses on AI and IoT security, with a particular emphasis on intrusion detection. One of my papers, selected as an Editor’s Choice article, explores realistic intrusion detection in highly imbalanced IoT environments. I was delighted to see it recognized for its quality.

2. In your opinion, which research topics will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Proactive intrusion detection systems are likely to become a major research trend, moving beyond the current reactive approaches that only detect attacks after they occur. Also, there is a growing role of AI and large language models (LLMs) in intrusion detection. In addressing challenges such as imbalanced datasets, label-free and self-supervised learning approaches will be important directions for future research. Overall, I believe that AI integration will remain a central focus for many researchers in this field.

3. How do you manage your time and balance your responsibilities as a researcher?
One of the biggest challenges has been managing my time effectively. I have found that maintaining a strict schedule is absolutely essential to staying on track with my research, coursework, and other commitments. I balance my thesis, research projects, and family life by limiting distractions such as social media and entertainment. Through this disciplined approach, I have learned to work efficiently, manage priorities, and maintain a healthy work–life balance. One of the most valuable lessons I have gained from my PhD is developing the ability to think critically, organize my time effectively, and balance multiple aspects of life.

4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?
I believe that intellectual humility is crucial in research because results often contradict our initial expectations, and we need to be willing to adapt our perspectives. Systematic thinking is also important—being able to connect ideas to data and methods. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, especially given the interdisciplinary nature of modern research, like my work in IoT and the Internet of Medical Devices. It is important to understand different vocabularies, be patient, listen carefully, and work effectively with diverse teams. Overall, I think that humility, collaboration, communication, and systematic thinking are key qualities for young researchers.

5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I am a strong supporter of open access because it accelerates knowledge sharing and makes research accessible to students and smaller institutions worldwide that might not be able to afford subscription-based journals. I also believe that open access should go beyond just papers—it should include open artifacts like code, datasets, and configurations. Sharing these resources allows other researchers to replicate, validate, and build on existing work, which ultimately enhances transparency, collaboration, and scientific progress.

6. Have you had difficulties in your work? How did you approach those situations?
The challenges I faced were less about technical issues and more about managing ambitions and dealing with uncertainty. Balancing multiple ambitions with limited time and coping with uncertainty about my ideas and results was often difficult. Sometimes initial outcomes were disappointing, but those experiences taught me resilience, the importance of intellectual humility, and how to refine my approach. Over time, I learned to manage my expectations, stay motivated, and grow from both successes and setbacks.