Associate Professor

Dr. Monika Akbar is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at The University of Texas at El Paso and an affiliated faculty member of the Institute for Applied AI Innovation (AAII). Her research spans information retrieval, data integration, and analytics, with applications in cybersecurity and public health. She develops AI- and ML-driven models to identify and analyze vulnerabilities, anticipate emerging threats, and strengthen the resilience of critical systems. Her recent work integrates structured and unstructured cybersecurity datasets such as, CVE, CWE, and MITRE ATT&CK, using graph-based and language-model techniques to uncover new associations for proactive defense.

Beyond cybersecurity, Dr. Akbar's interdisciplinary research extends to neuro-rehabilitation, where she collaborates with clinical researchers to translate wearable sensor data into interpretable narratives that support recovery assessment after stroke. This work bridges AI, ML, human behavior, and health analytics to make data more meaningful and actionable for patients and practitioners alike.

At UTEP, she teaches courses in Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Information Retrieval, and serves as faculty lead for the Miner Cybersecurity Club, fostering applied learning and workforce readiness.

In alignment with AAII’s mission to advance real-world AI solutions and regional impact, Dr. Akbar’s work connects artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health analytics to inform decision-making and improve lives across diverse domains.

Keywords of Expertise: Information Retrieval, Data Integration, Cybersecurity, Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence.