Hi, I’m Aaqil, a PhD researcher in Computer Science at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) (started in 2025). I completed my bachelor’s under Anna University in 2024, where I developed a strong interest in research and applied problem-solving. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a Software Developer at Brainvault Technologies, supporting multiple U.S. clients and building production-grade software systems and data workflows.

My research focuses on behavioral cybersecurity, specifically how human cognitive biases shape adversarial decision-making. While cybersecurity traditionally models attackers as technically optimal, real adversaries operate under uncertainty, time pressure, and cognitive constraints. I study how biases such as the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Default Effect influence attacker persistence, escalation, risk tolerance, and strategy switching during cyber operations.

At UTEP, I analyze behavioral signals like time investment, switching decisions, and escalation patterns, translating them into measurable constructs using statistical modeling and cluster based methods. A key insight driving my work is that technical skill does not eliminate bias and even skilled adversaries fall into decision traps when prior effort or perceived progress distorts judgment. Ultimately, I aim to translate these findings into bias-aware defense mechanisms that anticipate predictable attacker tendencies and strengthen security through a more human-centered understanding of adversarial behavior.