Ning Nan is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, specifically within the Department of Accounting and Information Systems. With a BA from Peking University, an MA from the University of Minnesota, and a PhD from the University of Michigan, Dr. Nan focuses on digital business strategy, evolvable IT infrastructure, and complex adaptive systems. His research explores blockchain applications, agent-based modeling, and the intersection of AI with societal challenges like sustainability. Education: PhD in Information Systems, University of Michigan MA in Information Systems, University of Minnesota BA in Computer Science, Peking University Research Interests: Dr. Nan investigates how technology shapes organizational and societal systems, with a focus on AI ethics, sustainability through personalized recommendations, and blockchain's role in decentralized supply chains. He employs agent-based modeling to simulate complex phenomena like innovation diffusion and online community dynamics. Recent work addresses explainable AI in smart cities and carbon-reduction gamification strategies. Teaching: In 2024-2025, he teaches Data Management for Business Analytics , emphasizing practical applications of data-driven decision-making. Key Research Themes: His articles highlight trends in AI sustainability (e.g., carbon footprint impacts of recommendation systems), digital business strategy (blockchain governance, app update strategies), and foundational IS theory (hyperturbulence and IS strategy).
Ahmed Hammad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he also serves as Director of Academic Integrity, ENG WIL, Co-op and Career Connections. With 25 years of industry experience as a Project Planning & Control Manager on global mega-projects (including Oil Sands, LNG, and Infrastructure across Canada, UAE, Australia, and Egypt), he brings extensive practical expertise to academia. Education: Doctorate of Philosophy, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (2009) Master of Science, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (1999) Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Cairo University (1996) Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Mansoura University (1989) Research Focus: Dr. Hammad's work centers on applying smart tools to achieve sustainable construction through maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste . His research employs Machine Learning , Multi-Criteria Decision Making , Knowledge-Based Decision Support Systems , and digital twin technologies to optimize project planning, resource allocation, and sustainable material selection. He investigates the integration of BIM and Augmented Reality to enhance construction processes while reducing environmental impact. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize sustainable construction methodologies, with 60% focusing on GHG reduction, resource optimization, and decision support systems. Key themes include machine learning for labor estimation, TOPSIS/MCDM for sustainable material selection, and digital twins for production planning, reflecting his NSERC-funded projects on KBDSS and construction-oriented digital twins. Scientific Recognition: Best Paper Award at 8th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (2018) Best Paper Award at HBRC Green Smart Sustainable Buildings Conference (2024) Research Leadership: Dr. Hammad secures major industry-academic partnerships, including NSERC Mission Alliance Grants ($1.2M+) with 16 industry partners for GHG reduction projects and NSERC Alliance Grants with 9 partners for digital twin development. His completed projects include collaborations with the City of Edmonton and Alberta Ministry of Infrastructure on resource allocation models. Research Ecosystem: As leader of the Sustainable Construction Research Group (SCRG), he fosters industry-academia collaboration through regular workshops with construction firms and government agencies, focusing on translating research into practical tools for sustainable project delivery.
Dr. Ryan Ziels is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Applied Science. His research focuses on sustainable biological wastewater treatment and resource recovery through advanced microbial biotechnologies, with affiliations to the BioProducts Institute and Clean Energy Research Centre. Education: PhD and MSE in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington BS in Environmental Resources Engineering, Humboldt State University Research Focus: Ziels pioneers microbial ecology studies in engineered waste treatment systems, employing multi-omics approaches to optimize anaerobic digestion for biomethane production and biological nutrient removal. His work targets recovery of water, nutrients, and bioenergy while enhancing human and environmental health through microbial community engineering. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal intensified focus on metaproteomics for syntrophic metabolism characterization, high-throughput sequencing for microbial community analysis, and wastewater-based epidemiology for pathogen surveillance. His research increasingly integrates ethical frameworks for public health applications while advancing fundamental understanding of microbial processes in anaerobic systems. Academic Engagement: Ziels teaches core courses including Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (CIVL 204), Environmental Lab Analysis (CIVL 407), and Environmental Biotechnology (CIVL 569). He supervises graduate students in Civil Engineering and Genome Science and Technology programs through UBC's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, directing the EMBERr Lab for microbiome engineering research.
Hassan Khan is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph's School of Computer Science, with research spanning security, systems, and human-computer interaction (HCI). He is a member of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI). Research Interests: His work focuses on improving AI-driven mobile security systems through human-in-the-loop evaluations, addressing vulnerabilities in continuous authentication, shoulder surfing, and privacy in enterprise/repair settings. He explores how users interact with security mechanisms and designs interfaces to enhance usability. Scientific Recognition: He has received the NSERC Early Career Researcher Award and a NSERC Discovery Grant, with media coverage in outlets like Time Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and New Scientist. Teaching: Khan teaches courses such as Computer Security Foundations and Advanced Penetration Testing, emphasizing practical cybersecurity and AI systems architecture.
Alice Covatta is an Adjunct Professor at Université de Montréal's Faculty of Planning and School of Architecture, with affiliations to the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, co+labo at Keio University, and the Japan Studies Association of Canada. Her work bridges architecture, urban design, and mental health across Europe and Japan. PhD in Architecture and Urban Design (University of Udine, 2015) Postdoctoral Fellow at Keio University (2016-2019) Research interests focus on: Integrating health into urban planning Temporal urbanism in hyper-dense environments Foodscapes as catalysts for community engagement Playable architectural interventions Recent publications analyze Tokyo's liminal spaces, Montreal's ephemeral ecosystems, and cross-cultural comparisons of public space design in Copenhagen and Japan. Her work emphasizes hybrid formal/informal systems and socio-spatial strategies for mental wellness. 2017 Europan 14 Winner 2016 Japan Foundation Fellowship 2015 Honorable Mention for Passages Competition Grants include CRSH and FRQSC funding for projects on urban habitability, public space, and participatory research. She co-founded CoPE Architects, which won multiple international awards for innovative urban design.
Soumaya Cherkaoui is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. Previously, she served as a Full Professor at Université de Sherbrooke and held industrial roles as an aerospace project manager. Her research integrates artificial intelligence with telecommunications, focusing on quantum computing, frugal edge intelligence, and applications in connected vehicles and IoT. Current Position: Full Professor, Polytechnique Montréal Prior Academic Role: Full Professor, Université de Sherbrooke Industry Experience: Aerospace Project Manager Research Interests: Convergence of AI and communications, quantum computing for networking, frugal intelligence at the edge, and applications in autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and smart grids. She leads government and industry-funded projects, including a $6 million quantum initiative in 2025. Recent Publication Trends: Her 2025–2024 work emphasizes quantum-enhanced anomaly detection (via QGANs), Open RAN slicing with quantum optimization, and reinforcement learning for secure cognitive radio networks. Topics span 5G/6G, vehicular networks, and zero-trust architectures. Scientific Awards: IEEE Communication Society Distinguished Lecturer (2020) ACM Mirela Notare Award (2023) IEEE Bio-Inspired Computing STC Leadership Award (2023) N2Women: Stars in Networking and Communications (2023) Best Paper Awards at IEEE ICC 2017, IEEE LCN 2021, ICCSPA 2024 Advising and Grants: Supervised 3 Master's students in 2024, with research on quantum GANs and federated learning for vehicular networks. Secured grants like the $6 million quantum project (2025) and participated in CFI-QC government funding (2022). Editorial and Leadership: Served as Associate Editor for IEEE, Wiley, and Elsevier journals. Chaired conferences like IEEE LCN 2019 and IEEE ICC2025, and held leadership roles in IEEE Communications Society committees.
Evan Davies is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. He has been a Full Professor since July 2021, following his promotion from Associate Professor (2015-2021) and Assistant Professor (2009-2015) positions at the same institution. Education: Ph.D. (Civil and Environmental Engineering), The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario (2003-2007) M.E.S. (Environment and Resource Studies), The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario with field research in China and India (2001-2003) B.A.Sc. (Systems Design Engineering), The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, including a year-long exchange at Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Germany (1995-2001) Evan Davies' primary research focuses on water resources planning and management, systems thinking and modeling, and sustainable development. His work develops and applies hydrological, water use, and water quality models to understand complex feedbacks among water availability, use, and quality within their social, economic, and environmental contexts. His research spans municipal to global spatial scales and daily to decadal time scales, aiming to provide decision-makers with tools to compare structural, management, and policy alternatives for sustainable water planning. His recent projects include global and regional-scale modeling of water security and the water-energy-food nexus, irrigation reservoir management, municipal water demand projections, flood risk management, and chloramine dissipation in stormwater pipes. Recent research trends show a strong focus on: Integrated assessment modeling of water-energy-food systems Climate change impacts on water resources Machine learning applications in hydrology Water security under decarbonization scenarios Flood risk assessment and management Sustainable urban water systems Scientific Awards: Faculty of Engineering Graduate Teaching Award, University of Alberta (2020-2021) Faculty of Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of Alberta (2018-2019) Doctoral Fellowship (CGS), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (2005-2007) University of Western Ontario Graduate Tuition Scholarship (2005-2007) Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (2004-2005) Masters/Doctoral Fellowship (PGS A/B), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (2002-2004) Davies has supervised numerous graduate students working on projects related to water resources planning and management. His research has been supported by various grants, including funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. He collaborates extensively with researchers at the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) in College Park, MD, and with government agencies and industry partners on water management projects across Canada, particularly in Alberta's Bow River basin. Davies leads a research group focused on water resources systems modeling, which employs system dynamics, optimization techniques, and machine learning approaches to address complex water management challenges. His team collaborates with decision-makers and stakeholders to ensure research outcomes are directly applicable to real-world water management problems.
Nick Koudas is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on large-scale data management, integrating machine learning into data systems, and developing efficient query processing techniques for unstructured and streaming data. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, an MSc from the University of Maryland at College Park, and a Bachelor's from the University of Patras in Greece. Research interests include data systems, big data analysis, video query processing, and natural language interfaces for databases. He leads projects like ReDD (Relational Deep Dive), SVQ (Streaming Video Queries), and Reliable Text-to-SQL, aiming to bridge human-readable queries with database execution. His work emphasizes scalability, intelligence, and real-world applicability. Recipient of the University of Toronto's Inventor of the Year Award (2011), he translates research into startups like Sysomos, Aislelabs, and Workorb. His contributions span over 200 publications in top venues such as SIGMOD, VLDB, and ICDE. Courses taught include advanced data systems, database design, and system internals. Current projects explore schema extraction from unstructured data, video query optimization, and cost-effective machine learning pipelines. Collaborations with industry and academic partners drive innovations in both theory and practical applications.
Dr. Rafeef Garbi is a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, and the Founder/Director of the Biomedical Signal and Image Computing Laboratory (BiSICL). Her multidisciplinary research integrates artificial intelligence, computer vision, and medical imaging for clinical applications in pediatric orthopedics, oncology, and neurology. PhD (Chalmers University, Sweden), MSc (with distinction), Technical Licentiate Research Focus: Specializing in Medical Image Computing and Visual Computing , her lab develops AI-driven solutions for: Automated segmentation and analysis of multi-dimensional biomedical data Clinically-translatable biomarkers for disease assessment Computer-aided intervention systems in surgical contexts Scientific Leadership: UBC Killam Faculty Research Fellow Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies Early Career Scholar Senior IEEE Member & Founding IEEE EMBS Vancouver Section Member Key Collaborations: Active in the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Society and CAIDA: UBC ICICS Centre for Artificial Intelligence Decision-making and Action. Her team bridges engineering, medicine, and computational biology through translational research.
Rebecca Dziedzic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. Her research focuses on asset management, water system sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto. Dr. Dziedzic's work integrates machine learning, data science, and policy analysis to address challenges in urban infrastructure systems. Her research explores topics such as water distribution network optimization, climate change adaptation in infrastructure, and circular economy strategies for construction. Recent projects include predicting water main breaks using multivariate models, developing frameworks for energy-efficient pump operation, and assessing carbon footprints in industrial facilities. Dr. Dziedzic supervises graduate students in Civil Engineering (MASc/PhD) and maintains an active research group through the UrbanLinks initiative. Her work has been published in over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong focus on smart city technologies, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable infrastructure design.
Dr. Sasha Tsenkova is a Professor at the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (SAPL), specializing in social sustainability and urban innovation. With dual PhDs in Architecture and Geography, she has over 30 years of experience in research, teaching, and consulting across 25 countries, advising governments and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Her work focuses on creating inclusive urban environments, affordable housing, and sustainable cities, with over 170 publications. She advocates for design excellence and planning innovation to address urbanization challenges and social justice. Education: MA in Architecture, MA in Urban Studies, PhD in Architecture, and PhD in Geography. Research interests include social urbanism, sustainable cities, affordable housing policy, planning innovation, and cultural heritage preservation. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges and has pioneered design thinking methodologies in planning education. Her global consulting experience informs her advocacy for equitable urban development. Her work bridges academia and practice, influencing policies in Canada and internationally. She collaborates with institutions like the University of Calgary’s Cities Research group and actively engages in initiatives promoting social housing resilience, energy efficiency, and community-centered urban planning. Labs/Teams: Part of the University of Calgary’s Cities Research Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary urban studies and policy development.
Susan Ross is an Associate Professor at Carleton University, cross-appointed with the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism. Her work focuses on Sustainable Heritage Conservation , particularly in Modern and Industrial Heritage , Urban Parks , and Climate Change Adaptation in heritage contexts. B.Sc. (Architecture), B. Architecture (McGill), M.Sc. Planning – Conservation of the Built Environment (Montreal) Key research themes: Heritage values and waste Building pathology and materials re-use Historic urban water landscapes Her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) examine material discards, landfill reclamation, and policy frameworks for industrial heritage reuse. She has received the Heritage Ottawa Gordon Cullingham research grant and regularly participates in international climate adaptation discussions. Active in Waste Heritage Research initiatives Develops student-led case studies through courses like CDNS 5403
Dr. Nicholas Lynch is a Professor of Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland. As an urban cultural geographer, he investigates social and cultural dynamics of built environments, focusing on historic building reuse, circular economy applications, and sustainable community development. Research examines adaptive reuse of institutional buildings (churches, lighthouses), circular economy implementation in construction, and sharing economy models like libraries of things. His work combines spatial analysis with sustainability transitions in urban contexts. Current projects analyze material flows in urban reuse centers and community-oriented circularity in building sectors. Fieldwork includes studies across Canada examining heritage preservation, demolition practices, and sustainable resource management in cities.
Yuxiang Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on high-performance buildings, net-zero energy systems, and sustainable construction practices. He integrates advanced modeling techniques, renewable energy solutions, and intelligent design strategies to optimize building performance in cold climates. PhD, Building Engineering (2013), Concordia University MASc, Building Engineering (2008), Concordia University BEng, Building Engineering (2006), Concordia University Dr. Chen’s work emphasizes modular construction, thermal energy storage, and data-driven modeling for building systems. He explores the use of robotics in construction, thermal resistance of masonry walls, and energy-efficient community greenhouses tailored for cold regions. His recent publications highlight trends in building thermal dynamics, with a focus on resistor-capacitor (RC) models, hybrid heating systems, and snow accumulation impacts on solar panels. He also contributes to cold-climate energy management and smart home integration.
Dr. Oliver T. Iorhemen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he has been contributing since August 1, 2021. He is actively engaged in research, teaching, and graduate supervision in the field of environmental and wastewater engineering. His educational background includes a PhD in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering specialization) from the University of Calgary, an MSc in Environmental Engineering and Project Management from the University of Leeds, UK, and a B.Eng in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Dr. Iorhemen's research focuses on biological wastewater treatment , resource recovery from wastewater and biosolids , nutrient removal , removal of emerging contaminants , and rural water supply and sanitation . His work emphasizes sustainable technologies such as aerobic granular sludge (AGS), biofiltration, and constructed wetlands, especially in cold climates. He leads a dynamic research team involving multiple MASc students and interns. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on AGS technology , resource recovery (e.g., xanthan, curdlan, amino acids), hybrid treatment systems , and data-driven modeling of bioreactors. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with practical engineering applications, aiming at scalable and resilient water treatment solutions. Dr. Iorhemen teaches courses including ENGR 210 (Material and Energy Balances), ENGR 358 (Water and Wastewater Systems), ENVE 310 (Environmental Engineering Processes), and ENGR 498/798 (Advanced Treatment Processes). He has also taught graduate-level biological processes at the University of Calgary. He actively supervises graduate students and has led collaborative projects with municipalities and industry. His research team includes current MASc students working on oily wastewater, resource recovery from AGS, biofilters for rural water, and constructed wetlands in cold climates. Past undergraduate and intern researchers have contributed to AGS bioreactor development and nutrient removal studies.
