Lesley Shannon

Lesley Shannon is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), specializing in computing system design and reconfigurable computing. She leads the Reconfigurable Computing Lab (RCL), focusing on FPGA-based architectures, heterogeneous multicore systems, and CAD tools. Her academic journey includes a B.Sc. from the University of New Brunswick (1999), M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2001 and 2006).

Her research spans FPGA CAD algorithms, Networks-on-Chip (NoCs), dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR), and application-specific architectures. Key projects include FUSE (OS abstraction for hardware accelerators), PolyBlaze (multicore system emulation), and uROAMs (microfluidic reconfigurable devices). She has secured funding from NSERC, Xilinx, and Altera, among others.

• Education:
  • B.Sc., Electrical Engineering (Computer Option), University of New Brunswick, 1999
  • M.A.Sc., Applied Science, University of Toronto, 2001
  • Ph.D., Applied Science, University of Toronto, 2006
• Roles:
  • NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (BC/Yukon)
  • Faculty Advisor, SFU WEST (Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology)

Her lab employs 5 current students and has graduated 7, including work on FPGA CAD, microfluidics, and embedded systems. Courses taught include Advanced Digital Systems Design and Real-Time/Embedded Systems. Her research emphasizes reducing design time through on-chip profiling and CAD tools, with applications in biomedical imaging and quantum computing.

Awards & Grants:

• NSERC Discovery Grant
• NSERC Strategic Grant (Lead PI, 2009; Co-PI, 2010)
• SFU Startup Grant and President’s Research Grant

Lab & Collaborations: The RCL develops silicon and non-silicon architectures, including quantum computing and microfluidic systems. Partnerships include industry collaborations and open-source tools like Odin II synthesis framework.