About Lab
Sajal Saha is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). He is the founder of the Intelligent Network Forecasting, Observation, and Risk Mitigation (INFORM) Lab, where he leads research on cybersecurity, Internet traffic forecasting, and anomaly detection. Before joining UNBC, he held academic and research positions at Western University, Brock University, and Seneca College.
His research interests center on:
- Internet Traffic Analysis: Developing forecasting models for network traffic classification, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance.
- Cyber-Attack Detection & Mitigation: Leveraging AI-driven approaches for real-time cyber-threat prediction, including blockchain-based security frameworks and explainable AI for decision-making.
- Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning: Implementing federated learning and differential privacy techniques to enhance security in distributed network environments.
- AI for Wireless and IoT Networks: Applying deep learning for spectrum sensing, anomaly forecasting, and secure communication in next-generation networks.
Research Areas
Cybersecurity & Threat Mitigation
Developing AI-driven approaches for cyber-attack detection, forecasting, and automated mitigation.
Traffic Forecasting & Analysis
Leveraging ML and LLMs for real-time Internet traffic prediction and anomaly detection.
Federated Learning & Blockchain
Ensuring privacy-preserving anomaly detection using federated learning and blockchain validation.
Team Members
Dr. Sajal Saha
Professor
Karamveer Sidhu
MSc Student
Noah Stobbs
MSc Student
Runqiu Zhang
MSc Student
Md Islam
MSc Student
Nihal Jani
Undergraduate Student
Rohan Soares
Undergraduate Student
Rudraksh Sahni
Undergraduate StudentCollaboratos
Western Univesity
University of Calgary
Brock University
Purdue University
Memphis University
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Brandon University
Thompson River University
University of Winnipeg
Juniper Networks
Publications
13. Sajal Saha, and Anwar Haque, "Overcoming Data Scarcity Challenges: Predicting Internet Traffic in Small ISP Networks with Transfer Learning and Data Augmentation," Elsevier Computer Communication, Submitted Revision, 2025. PDF
12. Wumian Wang, Sajal Saha, Anwar Haque, Greg Sidebottom, "Intelligent Routing Algorithm over SDN: Reusable Reinforcement Learning Approach," Elsevier Computer Network, Submitted, 2025. PDF
11. Sajal Saha, Saikat Das, and Glaucio H.S. Carvalho, "Adversarially Robust Internet Traffic Prediction with ConvLSTMTransNet," Elsevier Journal of IoT, Submitted, 2025. PDF
10. Sudipto Baral, Sajal Saha, and Anwar Haque, "Domain-Specific Fine-Tuning of Open Source LLMs for Cyberattack Mitigation," IEEE TNSM, Submitted, 2025. PDF
9. Anik Islam, Sajal Saha, and Hadis Karimpouri, "PRAG: A Privacy Preserving Agent Architecture for Securing Sensitive Data in Cross Silo LLM Applications," ICML, Submitted, 2025. PDF
8. Samia, Nusrat, Sajal Saha, and Anwar Haque, "Predicting and mitigating cyber threats through data mining and machine learning," Computer Communications, Vol. 228, 2024. PDF
7. Sayem, Ibrahim Mohammed, Moinul Islam Sayed, Sajal Saha, and Anwar Haque, "ENIDS: A Deep Learning-Based Ensemble Framework for Network Intrusion Detection Systems," IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 2024. PDF
6. Saha, S., Haque, A., Sidebottom, G., "Multi-Step Internet Traffic Forecasting Models with Variable Forecast Horizons for Proactive Network Management," Sensors, 2024, 24, 1871. DOI
5. Saha, Sajal, Anwar Haque, and Greg Sidebottom, "Analyzing the Impact of Outlier Data Points on Multi-Step Internet Traffic Prediction using Deep Sequence Models," IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 2023. PDF
4. Addison, George, Anahita Izadpanahi, Sajal Saha, and Michael Winter, "L-fuzzy concept analysis using fuzzy categories," Elsevier Fuzzy Sets and Systems, Vol. 460, 2023, pp. 72-102. PDF
3. Islam, Rejwana, Moinul Islam Sayed, Sajal Saha, Mohammad Jamal Hossain, and Md Abdul Masud, "Android malware classification using optimum feature selection and ensemble machine learning," Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 2023. PDF
2. Saha, Sajal, Annita Tahsin Priyoti, Aakriti Sharma, and Anwar Haque, "Towards an Optimized Ensemble Feature Selection for DDoS Detection Using Both Supervised and Unsupervised Method," Sensors, Vol. 22, No. 23, 2022, pp. 9144. PDF
1. Das, Saikat, Sajal Saha, Annita Tahsin Priyoti, Etee Kawna Roy, Frederick T. Sheldon, Anwar Haque, and Sajjan Shiva, "Network intrusion detection and comparative analysis using ensemble machine learning and feature selection," IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 2021. PDF
Awards and Distinctions
Nominee for the Governor General's Gold Medal Award: Nominated for this prestigious award at Western University, recognizing outstanding academic achievements at the graduate level.
Distinguished Graduate Student Award: Honored with the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, celebrating exceptional professional or personal achievements.
Western Summer Student Internship (WSSI): Received the WSSI at Western University, valued at $7,500, supporting summer research endeavors.
Mitacs Accelerate Research Fellowship: Awarded this fellowship at Western University, providing $20,000 per year to support research projects.
Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS): Granted the WGRS at Western University, valued at $5,000 per year, in recognition of academic excellence.
Provost’s Brock University International Scholarship: Received this scholarship at Brock University, valued at $1,635, supporting international students.
DGS Spring Research Fellowship: Awarded the DGS Spring 2019 Research Fellowship at Brock University, valued at $4,000, to support research activities.
Graduate Fellowship: Received a Graduate Fellowship at Brock University, valued at $7,500 per year, acknowledging academic and research excellence.
Research Fellowship: Granted a Research Fellowship at Brock University, valued at $6,000 per year, supporting research initiatives.
Prime Minister Gold Award: Honored with the Prime Minister Gold Award at Patuakhali Science & Technology University for outstanding academic performance.
Chancellor Gold Award: Received the Chancellor Gold Award at Patuakhali Science & Technology University in recognition of exceptional academic achievements.
Dean’s Award: Awarded the Dean’s Award at Patuakhali Science & Technology University for academic excellence.
Prospective Students
The INFORM Lab at the University of Northern British Columbia welcomes highly motivated undergraduate, MSc, and prospective PhD students (co-supervision) who are passionate about cybersecurity, Internet traffic forecasting, anomaly detection, federated learning, quantum machine learning, and AI-driven security frameworks.
What We Look For
- Strong background in computer science, machine learning, or cybersecurity
- Excellent programming skills (Python, ML frameworks, deep learning experience preferred)
- Research curiosity, independence, and commitment to long-term learning
- Experience with data analysis, network systems, or AI security (optional but beneficial)
Current Opportunities
- MSc Research Positions
- Undergraduate Research Assistants (Machine Learning, LLMs, and Cybersecurity)
- Mitacs Globalink / Accelerate Internships in partnership with industry collaborators
How to Apply
To join the INFORM Lab, email sajal.saha@unbc.ca with the subject line “Prospective Student – INFORM Lab” and attach the following:
- Current CV/Resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- A short statement (1 page max) describing your research interests
- Any publications, projects, GitHub links, or relevant work samples
Supervision Philosophy
I follow a mentorship-focused supervision style that emphasizes research independence, strong technical foundations, hands-on experimentation, ethical AI practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students in the INFORM Lab receive opportunities to contribute to publications, collaborate with national and international partners, and work on real-world cybersecurity and 6G network challenges.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The INFORM Lab is strongly committed to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Consistent with the Tri-Agency Statement on EDI and national EDI programs across Canadian universities, the INFORM Lab fosters an environment in which all members feel comfortable, safe, supported, and empowered to pursue their research interests.
We recognize that the scientific research community and culture has been historically exclusionary to traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM—including women, racialized individuals, LGBTQ2S+ communities, Indigenous scholars, and people with disabilities. By acknowledging these systemic challenges, we strive to identify and remove barriers to participation, and to promote equitable access to research opportunities.
Our goal is to attract, support, retain, and elevate a diverse community of researchers and students, ensuring that the INFORM Lab grows as an inclusive, respectful, and thriving environment where all voices are valued.
Why Join INFORM Lab?
- Active collaborations with Western, Calgary, Regina, Brock, Purdue, TRU, and industry partners (Juniper, Tejas, Bamboo Innovation)
- Opportunities for top-tier publications.
- Hands-on experience with cutting-edge ML, LLMs, federated learning, blockchain security, and reinforcement-learning-based mitigation.
- Inclusive, supportive research environment aligned with EDI values.
If you are enthusiastic about building intelligent, secure, and autonomous systems for next-generation networks, we encourage you to reach out and explore research opportunities with the INFORM Lab.
INFORM Laboratory
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
📍 Address: 10-2082 3333 University Way Prince George, BC Canada V2N 4Z9
📞 Phone: +1 512-232-2014
✉ Email: sajal.saha [AT] unbc [dot] ca