Gabriele Stentella - CYD Master Thesis Fellow

• How did you find out about the CYD Fellowships and what motivated you to apply?

I first learned about the fellowship while searching for a suitable semester project prior to my master's thesis. During a discussion with my supervisor, he mentioned the CYD Fellowship program, saying that it was the perfect chance for me to get practical experience in line with my research.

• What was your CYD Fellowship project about?

My project focused on the fingerprinting of drone radio control links. Specifically, I developed and trained a machine learning model designed to extract features from these radio signals. This model was then used to classify the control signals of various drones based purely on their distinct physical-level signal characteristics, contributing to more robust detection methods.

• What were the advantages of conducting your master thesis project at the CYD Campus?

There were several benefits to doing my project at the CYD Campus. The campus has access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced instrumentation. My progress was also greatly helped by the high-quality supervision and guidance of my CYD mentor. What I liked most is that the projects offered at the campus can bridge the gap between theory and practice, with a very applied approach but maintaining a rigorous research perspective.

• Did you as a child dream of working in cyber defence?

It wasn’t exactly my dream job as a child, but I developed an interest in the field early in high school. I quickly figured out that I wanted to work in cyber defense,which gave me a clear direction. This helped me shape my studies, and I started focusing on cybersecurity right from the start of my bachelor’s.

• What is driving you to pursue research in cyber defence?

I am driven by the opportunity to secure critical infrastructure as well as the everyday systems we all rely on. I enjoy the challenge of designing real-world solutions that act as safeguards for vital systems and networks.

• What is the most important lesson you have learned in your scientific career so far?

The biggest takeaway I’ve had is the great value of collaboration and informal discussion. The key to generating new ideas and driving real progress in research is having highly knowledgeable and insightful peers to discuss your project with. I think some of the best breakthroughs have come from just being able to talk to other fellows and my CYD mentor, also outside of structured meetings.

• What are you most proud of in your career to date?
  I am most proud of my own thesis project itself. Taking an initial idea, developing it into a concrete research proposal, and then exploring all of its technical aspects from start to finish has been a deeply satisfying and rewarding achievement.
• Outside the lab, what do you enjoy doing most?

Even outside the lab, I enjoy engaging with the cyber defence community, but from a more collaborative and educational perspective. As a member of the ETH Cyber Group, I have contributed to the organization of events and initiatives that help foster student interest and connect peers with industry professionals.

• What were your expectations about the CYD Fellowships?
  I thought I was going to be in a very inspirational and innovative environment, where I could pursue my project. I was particularly looking forward to exchanging ideas and receiving input from incredibly knowledgeable experts, and the fellowship has certainly provided that collaborative atmosphere.

• Could you share some tips with future applicants who are considering applying for the CYD Fellowships?

My main advice is to find a topic that genuinely interests you and proactively reach out to researchers working in that specific area to discuss potential projects. It is always great to come up with your own ideas , both to tailor your thesis to your interests , and to show real interest in the research topic.