About
I grew up in the beautiful country of himalayas, Nepal. I am currently pursuing my dream as a PhD student in Computer Science Department of Tennessee Technological University, Tennessee, USA.
PhD Student & CyberSecurity Researcher.
As a graduate student researching at the fusion of machine learning and cybersecurity, I carry my expertise on applications of machine learning, data analytics and malware analysis. My current research focuses on the security of machine learning algorithms that are being used for malware detection. I am running experiments to carry out adversarial attacks on machine learning models in order to discover and patch vulnerabilities to make the models robust. My background have provided me with diverse experience which includes programming, embedded firmare development, robotics automation, running and customizing financial software, and monitoring databases. I love to explore the new topics, discover challanges and find a way through that challenge.
Skills
Resume
Education
Ph.D in Computer Science
2021 - Present
Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
With courses and research focused in cybersecurity and machine learning.
Bachelor of Electronics and Communication Engineering
2014 - 2018
Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Curriculum covering software engineering, embedded system, and telecommunication technologies.
Achievements
- First Runner up and 'Best Idea Award' at IOE-ROBOCON-2018 'UJYALO NEPAL' (National Level Robotic Competition)
- Winner of Hultprize-2018 at University
- Winner of First Open Presentation Competition - 2017 by Electrical Engineers Association of Nepal
Participations
- Guest lecture on state-of-art scopes of adversarial attack in malware domain at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, April 28, 2022
- Presented on 'A Taxonomy of Data Poisoning Attacks: Domain, Approach and Target' at ACM Mid-Southeast, Gatlinburg, TN, Nov 11-13, 2021
- Participant at ‘First Nepal Winter School in AI-2018’, NAAMI
- Mentor at ‘Arduino, AVR, and Mechatronics Training’ at Robotics Club, Western Region Campus, Pokhara, Nepal, 2018
- Participant at ‘Hult Prize Regional Finals-2018’, Dubai
- Mentor at ‘3 days electronics circuit design and PCB etching workshop’ at Pokhara University, Nepal, 2017
- Participant at ‘DeepLearning Specialization’ by DeepLearning.AI, Coursera
Professional Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
2021 - Present
Cybersecurity, Education, Research, & Outreach Center, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
- Reverse engineer malware file for static analysis.
- Research on state-of-art machine learning techniques for applications to malware analysis.
- Research on backdoors of malware detectors for adversarial attacks
- Research on noble ways of carrying out adversarial evasion and poisoning attacks
- Research on robustifying the machine learning models against adversarial attacks
Data Analyst
Feb 2019 - Dec 2020
Leading Financial Institution, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Built and managed scalable database, capable of ETL processes using SQL
- Evaluated the workflow and enhanced the efficiency of data pipelines, processing millions of transaction every day
- Co-developed MIS SQL server database system to optimize the performance
- Closely observed and analyzed the implementation of cybersecurity principles in banking institutions
Firmware Developer
Jul 2015 - Aug 2018
Western Region Campus, Tribuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal
- Lead firmware development team based on Microcontrollers, arduino, and Raspberry Pi
- Interfacing Microcontrollers with actuators to build automated robotics systems and robots
- Lead club to different national level robotic competitions
- Organized and mentored interschool and intraschool trainings on embedded system design
Projects
iListen - Smart Reader for Visually Impaired (Major Project, Undergraduate)
- Raspberry Pi based system trained with Convolutional Neural Networks for English and Nepali characters
- Image enhancement of captured document using computer vision tools
- Recognition of segmented characters and sentence formation using NLP libraries
- Conversion of text to speech using python libraries
Accident Detection and Informer System for two-wheelers(Minor project, Undergraduate) (ATMega32 based system)
- ATMega32 microcontroller based system, detecting tilt using analog accelerometer
- GPS coordinate extraction on exceeding threshold tilt and notification sent to concerned authority using GSM Modules
Safequake (ATMega32 based system)
- Motivated after 7.8 Richter scale earthquake hit Nepal
- Senses earthquake , gives alarm and notification, turns off electric power and gas supply
Small Projects
- Malware detection system based on Deep Neural Network
- Obstacle removing robot
- Automated Program Inauguration
- Robots to perform theme based tasks
Publications
Papers under review
A Survey on Adversarial Attacks for Malware Analysis
Encyclopedic survey of the adversarial attacks in malware analysis
Label Poisoning Attacks on Malware Detectors
Analysing effects of label poisoning attack on different malware detectors.
Contact
Location:
850 W, Broad St., Cookeville, TN, 38501, USA
Email:
karyal42@tntech.edu
Call:
+1 360-206-4736