Cyberpsychology Research at Capitol Technology University
Join us on Thursday, September 25, 2025, Noon-1 p.m. Eastern
Cyberpsychology is an emerging field that combines expertise in cybersecurity and psychology. It is a critical area of study and research because so often the weakest parts of cyber defense are human beings.
In this webinar, which is the first of three webinars in the Center for Women in Cyber “Cyber Leadership Series,” noted Cyberpsychologist and Capitol faculty member Dr. Mary Aiken will overview the Cyberpsychology program at Capitol and introduce two of her doctoral students who will be sharing the research they have being doing for their Ph.D. programs.
Ph.D. candidate Melissa Martineau’s research focuses on the psychological and sociological factors that are related to criminal hacking behaviors. Using an exploratory mixed method research design, Melissa has identified novel factors on the pathway to hacking and predictive factors that can help delineate criminals from lawful hackers. The knowledge gleaned from her research will help inform prevention and intervention strategies and contribute to the foundational knowledge required to advance the field of cyber behavioral analysis.
Ph.D. Candidate Erick Miyares will discuss the unique and large amount of stress faced by elite cyber operators The research moves beyond normal work stress to two factors unique to the cyber world: ”Cyberspace Operator Syndrome (COS)”, where there is both emotional exhaustion (Burnout) and a strong sense of professional accomplishment; and “Cognitive Cyberpresence (CCP),”where operators enter into a state of deep mental immersion essential for mission success. Most significant stressors are not overt conflicts, but rather the chronic mental strain, the intense fear of high-consequence error, and a profound gap in organizational support.
The 60-minute webinar concludes with a moderated live question-and-answer period.
Capitol Technology University offers the webinar as a complimentary informational service. This webinar offers a Certificate of Attendance.
About the Presenters
Dr. Mary Aiken
Dr. Mary Aiken is Professor of Cyberpsychology and Chair of the Department of Cyberpsychology at Capitol Technology University. She is an INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Expert Group member and Academic Advisor to Europol's European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3). Aiken is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine, an International Affiliate Member of the American Psychological Association (APA), and a Fellow of the Society for Chartered IT Professionals. Her research interests include Online Safety Technologies, Online Harms, AI, HealthTech, human factors in cybersecurity, organized cybercrime, cyder behavioral profiling, Internet psychology & youth protection online. She has advised at international and European levels in policy debates at the intersection of technology and human behavior and has published and spoken worldwide on these topics. At the 2023 IARPA Proposers Day, Prof. Aiken recently presented on the "Reimagining Security with Cyberpsychology-informed Network Defenses" (RESCIND) project. She is a co-lead on the largest cyberpsychology-informed European cybercrime project to date, focusing on human and technical drivers of cybercrime.
Aiken’s work as a Cyberpsychologist inspired the CBS primetime television series CSI:Cyber, and she was a producer on the show. Her best-selling book ‘The Cyber Effect’ was selected by the New York Times as a 2016 ‘Book of the Year’ in the Thought category and was listed in the top twenty science books by Nature, the International Journal of Science. A published, peer-reviewed author, Dr. Mary Aikens work has been featured by Time Magazine, Scientific American, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, CBS and the BBC, and many other publications.
Melissa Martineau
Melissa Martineau is a doctoral Candidate in Cyberpsychology at Capitol Technology University. She began her studies in 2022 and expects to defend her dissertation research this Fall. Prior to commencing her Ph.D. studies, Melissa completed an undergraduate degree with a double concentration in Criminology and Sociology, and a master's in criminology from the University of Ottawa in Canada. Melissa has worked as a criminologist in Canada for over 20 years. Her doctoral studies in Cyberpsychology are a perfect complement to her current posting in Canada's National Cybercrime Coordination Centre. Melissa is currently Canada's only cyber behavioral analyst.
Erick Miyares
Erick Miyares is a doctoral candidate in Cyberpsychology and a former Interactive Operator. His extensive career spans the tactical, operational, and strategic echelons of both the intelligence and special operations communities. As a subject matter expert in cyberspace operations and intelligence, he informs his research in the emerging field of Operational Cyberpsychology directly through his lived experience navigating the distinct operational stressors that form the basis of his inquiry. He is a recipient of the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship and has been named a Tillman Scholar.