Meet Sheila Becker

I cannot imagine a better way to have prepared for my career than through my doctoral studies.

Dr Sheila Becker was one of the first students to receive a PhD from SnT, starting her doctoral work just as the research centre was created. After graduating in 2012 she began working at the Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation (ILR), before joining the cyber defence team of the Luxembourg Army. She has since made her way back to ILR, now leading their new cybersecurity team.

Why did you choose to study at SnT?

It came about very naturally. I was doing a master's at the University of Nancy, and the work was so interesting that I couldn’t stop there, and decided to continue with a PhD. At the same time SnT was just getting started and one of my professors presented the option to do a combined PhD with SnT and the University of Nancy. It was a happy coincidence that I was able to continue working with Radu State, who I had met during my master's.

What did your PhD research at SnT focus on?

The research project that I was part of looked at theoretical concepts to make peer-to-peer (P2P) networks more efficient and secure. The project looked at how machine learning and game theory could be applied in this virtual environment to expose malicious actors. Within this project I learned how different interactions produce different results in the context of a P2P network.

How has your SnT education helped you in your career?

My PhD taught me how to develop a methodical overview of a long-term problem. That’s what a doctoral research project really teaches you to do; to organise yourself and your projects differently. You assess the whole project and its challenges as part of a bigger picture. You learn another way of working – and of thinking. I cannot imagine a better way to have prepared for my career than through my doctoral studies.

What did you enjoy most about doing your PhD at SnT?

Two things really stand out to me as being unique to SnT looking back now. First was the small size of the research teams. I really enjoyed working in a team where we all knew each other, as it made for a very warm working environment. Second was the opportunities for international collaboration. Beyond my collaboration with the University of Nancy, I worked closely with a research group at Purdue University in the US. And the environment of SnT itself is so international, it is exciting to be a part of. I’d say SnT was more like a family than a big university •