Dr Zeba Khanam | Specialist Research Professional | British Telecommunications

I received my PhD degree in Computing and Electronics Systems from the University of Essex in 2022, where I was honoured to be a recipient of the University of Essex’s Embedded and Intelligent Systems Scholarship. During my doctoral studies, I delved into the fascinating research area of enhancing the resilience of robots during nuclear decommissioning. This work involved close collaboration with esteemed organizations such as NASA JPL, Sellafield Ltd., the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, and the Open Innovation Team of the Government of the UK.
In recognition of the significance of my research, it was acknowledged as the top UK PhD for deep tech startup by Conception X, a renowned venture builder firm based in London. Alongside my PhD, I had the opportunity to contribute to research projects sponsored by UKRI and EPRSC, including the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics, Liverpool Multi Vector Energy Exchange Market, and the UN’s Global Challenge Research Project. During my Ph.D., I have authored over 14 research papers, which have been published in prestigious technology focused IEEE journals and conferences. These papers have garnered an exceptional number of citations, surpassing 100, even at this early stage of my career.
My research on modelling sensor behaviour in nuclear radiation zones resulted in additional grant funding of £600k from UKRI. Following the completion of my PhD, I joined BT’s security research team in October 2022. In a relatively short period, I have made substantial contributions by leading the development of a ground-breaking AI-based Cyber Security analysis toolkit. This toolkit has already undergone trials in BT’s Security Operation Centres, demonstrating its efficacy. Leveraging my expertise in Robotics and AI, I have successfully translated my PhD experience into a novel set of NLP algorithms for cyber analytics, which has the potential to revolutionize BT’s ability to process vast volumes of security event data. I have filed three UK patents, with additional patents currently in progress, showcasing my ability to transform pure research into tangible industrial value.
Beyond my professional endeavours at BT, I am a staunch advocate for increasing the representation of women in STEM fields. I actively engage with organizations such as Women in Product and AnitaB.org, where I serve as a mentor to aspiring young women worldwide. I am committed to addressing the fundamental issue of gender disparity in STEM by participating in events like the Technology Day event, where I present my cybersecurity work to students from over 12 schools in Suffolk. Currently, I am collaborating with the REAch2 Academy Trust to develop external educational programs for local schools, aiming to provide valuable resources and enriching technology focused learning experiences to young girls. Furthermore, I am eagerly looking forward to serving as a governor in one of the schools in Ipswich, where I can contribute my expertise and encourage young girls to pursue careers in technology.