Justin Wan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on scientific computing, medical image processing, computational finance, and machine learning. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA (1998), an M.A. from UCLA (1995), and a B.Sc. from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (1992). Wan’s work bridges numerical methods, optimization, and deep learning, with applications in financial modeling, medical imaging, and fluid dynamics. His research interests include advanced techniques in scientific computing (e.g., multigrid methods), computer graphics simulation, and medical image enhancement (e.g., CT scan artifact reduction). He has pioneered applications of machine learning to computational finance, including option pricing and hedging using deep neural networks and GANs. His recent work explores denoising diffusion models and multi-agent systems for optimal execution in finance. Publications span topics like volatility surface computation, optimal mass transport for image registration, and parallel solvers for fluid dynamics. His methods address challenges in high-dimensional problems, robust numerical valuation, and scalable algorithms for large datasets. Wan collaborates across disciplines, integrating mathematical rigor with practical engineering solutions.
Dr. Ralph Evins is an Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria. He holds affiliations with the Urban Energy Systems laboratory at Empa and ETH Zurich in Switzerland. His expertise spans building energy simulation, energy system optimization, and machine intelligence applications in sustainable design. Evins holds an MEng from Imperial College London and an EngD from the University of Bristol. His research focuses on computational problem-solving in energy systems, including surrogate modeling, optimization algorithms, and machine learning. He develops tools like the Holistic Urban Energy Simulation (HUES) platform and BESOS software framework to bridge building, district, and city-scale energy analysis. His work emphasizes holistic systems thinking, integrating energy hubs, thermal modeling, and digital twin technologies. Recent articles explore surrogate model refinement, inverse modeling for building characterization, and decarbonization strategies. He collaborates with industry to translate academic innovations into practical solutions. Evins advises students in energy systems and leads projects on net-zero building design, retrofit prioritization, and smart grid integration. His research addresses challenges in climate adaptation, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban development through interdisciplinary approaches.
Piotr Zwiernik is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistical Sciences at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts and Science, with a cross-appointment in the Department of Mathematics. Currently on leave from the University of Toronto, he is based in Barcelona following his return in July 2025. His academic journey includes a PhD in Statistics from the University of Warwick (2011), research positions at prestigious institutions including Mittag Leffler Institute, IPAM, TU Eindhoven, UC Berkeley, and the University of Genoa, and an Assistant Professorship at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (2016-2021). His research spans the intersection of statistics, mathematics, and computational methods, with particular emphasis on graphical models, covariance matrix estimation, convex analysis, tensors, and algebraic and combinatorial methods in statistics. Zwiernik's work demonstrates a consistent focus on high-dimensional statistics, mathematical statistics, and elegant theoretical frameworks that bridge abstract mathematics with practical statistical applications. His recent publications reveal a deepening exploration of tensor analysis, algebraic statistics, and the geometric properties of statistical models. Zwiernik serves as an associate editor for leading journals including Biometrika, Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, and Algebraic Statistics. His research program includes the development of the GOLAZO R package for asymmetric regularization of log-likelihood in Gaussian graphical models. As an academic leader, he has served as Associate Chair for Research in his department and actively participates in numerous international conferences and workshops, reflecting his significant standing in the statistical community. His recent publications show a strong trend toward algebraic and geometric approaches to statistical problems, with increasing focus on tensor methods, positivity constraints in statistical models, and the theoretical foundations of graphical models. The work demonstrates remarkable continuity in exploring the mathematical structures underlying statistical models while adapting to emerging challenges in high-dimensional data analysis. Zwiernik is committed to mathematical accessibility and education, guided by Federico Ardila's four axioms which emphasize equitable distribution of mathematical potential, joyful mathematical experiences, mathematics as a malleable tool, and treating every student with dignity and respect. He actively seeks PhD students with strong mathematical backgrounds for research at UPF or the Institute of Mathematics of UPC.
Samuel W.K. Wong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Harvard University (2013) under Prof. Samuel Kou. His research focuses on statistical methodology for complex data science challenges in protein structure modeling, dynamic systems inference, and reliability engineering of wood-based products. He has held academic positions at the University of Florida (2013–2018) and has been at Waterloo since 2018. His research interests include Bayesian computation, statistical inference for dynamic systems, and spatial-temporal data analysis. Notable contributions include the development of manifold-constrained Gaussian processes (MAGI package) and sequential Monte Carlo methods for protein folding studies. He has advised over 15 graduate students and researchers, many of whom are now in academic or industry roles worldwide. Wong has received teaching distinctions at Harvard and holds awards including the Nash Medal (2008) for academic excellence. His work bridges computational statistics with applications in bioinformatics, structural engineering, and environmental science. He has published extensively in top-tier journals like Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics and Biometrics , and collaborates with wood scientists to improve real-time lumber quality assessment using laser imaging data. His teaching portfolio includes courses on probability theory, statistical inference, and spatial data analysis at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Beyond academia, he maintains an active passion for classical piano performance, having performed recitals combining music with his statistical research interests.
Tamon Stephen is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University (SFU), part of the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on operations research, with an emphasis on combinatorial optimization, algorithms, discrete geometry, and computational biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Michigan (2002). His work often bridges theoretical and computational aspects, addressing interdisciplinary applications. Stephen is affiliated with the Centre for Operations Research and Decision Sciences (CORDS) and has contributed to software tools for hypergraph transversals and colorful linear programming. He has taught courses such as Math 208W (Introduction to Operations Research) and has advised projects in metabolic network analysis and scheduling optimization. His office is located at the Surrey campus (SRYC 2886). Key research collaborations include studies on firefighter scheduling, nurse rostering, and metabolic pathway analysis. His methodologies often leverage algorithm design, polytope theory, and discrete mathematics. Stephen actively participates in academic service, organizing seminars and contributing to conferences such as the West Coast Optimization Meeting. His work emphasizes practical applications of theoretical results, with a focus on solving real-world optimization challenges.
Golnoosh Farnadi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Operational Research at the University of Montreal and an Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science at McGill University. She holds a Canada-CIFAR Chair in Artificial Intelligence and serves as a Senior Academic Member at Mila - Quebec Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Her interdisciplinary work bridges computer science, operations research, and ethical AI considerations. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from KU Leuven and Ghent University (2017), followed by postdoctoral positions at the University of Montreal/MILA (2018-2020) and the University of California, Santa Cruz (2017-2018). Her research focuses on algorithmic fairness, responsible AI, deep learning, and probabilistic models, with applications spanning healthcare, recommender systems, and public policy. Farnadi's recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on addressing fairness in machine learning systems, with particular attention to cultural diversity in recommender systems, fairness in healthcare optimization (particularly kidney exchange programs), and mitigating hallucinations in large language models. Her work consistently combines theoretical rigor with practical applications, often employing novel mathematical frameworks to tackle complex ethical challenges in AI. Among her notable recognitions are the Google Scholar Award (2021), Facebook Research Award (2021), Google Award for Inclusion Research (2023), and being named one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics (2023). She was also recognized as a Rising Star in AI Ethics in 2021. Farnadi supervises numerous graduate students through her EQUAL Lab (EQuity & EQuality Using AI and Learning algorithms), which focuses on developing AI systems that promote fairness and equity. Her teaching includes courses on Responsible AI, Machine Learning, and Trustworthy Machine Learning at both McGill University and HEC Montreal.
Brian Vermeire is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering at Concordia University. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, high-performance computing, turbulence modeling, numerical methods, and optimization. He leads the Computational Aerodynamics Laboratory, emphasizing scale-resolving simulations and high-order numerical techniques. Key interests include large eddy simulation (LES), direct numerical simulation (DNS), and gradient-free optimization. His work often involves developing advanced algorithms for unstructured grids and high-performance computing platforms. Research Interests: High-order numerical methods Implicit/explicit time integration schemes Polynomial adaptation for adaptive meshing Aeroacoustic shape optimization Large eddy simulation (LES) and direct numerical simulation (DNS) Software development for CFD (e.g., PyFR) Recent work trends show strong focus on hybridized flux reconstruction methods, energy-conservative algorithms, and industrial adoption of high-fidelity simulations. Major contributions include scalable implementations for petascale computing and open-source tools like PyFR. His group collaborates on applications such as wind turbine aerodynamics and low-pressure turbine design. Labs/Teams: Computational Aerodynamics Laboratory (website: link )
Elena Grigorescu is a Professor at the University of Waterloo, Department of Computer Science. She holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010), an M.S. from MIT (2006), and a B.A. from Bard College (2004). Her research focuses on sublinear-time algorithms, error-correcting codes, computational complexity, and learning theory. She explores foundational aspects of algorithms with constraints on time/space, privacy-preserving computation, and applications in graph theory and optimization. Her work includes advancements in spanner algorithms for network design, differential privacy in sublinear-time settings, and learning-augmented approaches for online optimization. Recent publications address trace reconstruction, privacy-utility trade-offs, and combinatorial optimization techniques. Grigorescu is actively involved in conferences like APPROX/RANDOM and IEEE Foundations of Computer Science, contributing to algorithmic theory and practical implementations. Her research emphasizes theoretical rigor while addressing real-world challenges in data analysis and distributed systems. No awards or formal advisees are explicitly listed in the provided information.
Jim Geelen is a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo, Faculty of Mathematics. His research focuses on matroid theory, particularly the Matroid Minors Project, which extends the Graph Minors Theory of Robertson and Seymour to matroids. Notably, he, Bert Gerards, and Geoff Whittle proved Rota's Conjecture, characterizing matroids representable over finite fields. His work also addresses extremal matroid theory, growth rates of minor-closed classes, and algorithmic applications. He has advised doctoral students including Kerri Webb, Tony Huynh, Peter Nelson, Rohan Kapadia, and Benson Joeris. Geelen teaches advanced courses like CO749 on Graph Minors, offering video lectures. His research collaborations span matroid minors, excluded minors, and representation theory, with contributions to fields like combinatorics, Ramsey theory, and geometric density theorems. His recent work explores the Erdős-Posa property in matroids, density Hales-Jewett theorems, and the structure of exponentially dense matroid classes. Geelen's publications include foundational papers on matroid connectivity, branch-width, and inequivalent representations, reflecting his deep engagement with foundational and applied aspects of combinatorial mathematics.
Dr. Ting Hu is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing at Queen's University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Science. She leads the Machine Intelligence & Biocomputing (MIB) Laboratory, focusing on bio-inspired AI and bioinformatics. Her research bridges evolutionary computing, machine learning, and biomedical data analysis. Dr. Hu holds a PhD in Computer Science from Memorial University and completed postdoctoral training at Dartmouth College. She teaches courses with strong student evaluations, winning the Howard Staveley Teaching Award (2019-2020) and recognition as a Mental Health Champion (2023). Education: B.Sc. in Computational Mathematics, Wuhan University M.Sc. in Computer Science, Wuhan University PhD in Computer Science, Memorial University Postdoctoral Fellowship, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College Research Interests: Evolutionary algorithms and genetic programming Interpretable and explainable AI Biomedical data mining (metabolomics, genomics) Complex network analysis Applications in precision medicine and disease prediction Awards & Recognition: Queen's AMS Undergraduate Mentorship Award (2025) IEEE CIBCB Best Student Award (2022) Howard Staveley Teaching Award (2019-2020) NSERC Discovery Grant Reviewer (2019) Memorial University's Best Professor Award (2016) Lab & Collaborations: MIB Lab develops tools like geneDRAGNN (graph neural networks for gene-disease prioritization) Active roles in IEEE Computational Intelligence Society and EuroGP Advances include vaccination strategies via graph-RL and interpretable clustering methods
David Latulippe is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University. He joined McMaster in 2012 after postdoctoral work at Cornell University and a PhD at Penn State University, focusing on membrane filtration for DNA purification. His industrial experience includes roles at ZENON Environmental (now GE Water) in hollow-fiber membrane design for water treatment. Research interests include Membrane science and technology Bioprocessing of therapeutic viruses Microscale systems for biological applications Environmental engineering solutions for water treatment Current projects involve collaborations with industry partners like Ceapro and Aevitas, and the development of a biomanufacturing automation lab with Sartorius. Recent publications highlight advancements in Nanofiltration and microfiltration for viral vectors Conductive membranes for electrochemical applications Microfluidic systems for DNA analysis Environmental monitoring of biocides and microplastics Scientific recognition includes the Young Membrane Scientist Award (2014). Teaching activities focus on Fluid Mechanics (CHEMENG 2O04) and Industrial Separation Processes (CHEMENG 4M03).
Robert Laganière is a Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa, where he has been actively contributing to the fields of computer vision and image analysis. He is a member of the VIVA research laboratory and holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from INRS-Telecommunications in Montreal, as well as a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal. Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering: École Polytechnique de Montréal (1987) Master's Degree: INRS-Telecommunications (1990) Doctorate: INRS-Telecommunications (1996) Professor Laganière's research focuses on computer vision, with particular expertise in image and video analysis, visual surveillance, embedded vision systems, and deep learning applications. His work spans fundamental research in feature detection and matching to practical applications in autonomous driving, human recognition, and real-time object tracking. He has made significant contributions to the development of algorithms for pedestrian detection, age and gender recognition, and 3D object localization. His publication trends reveal a consistent focus on practical computer vision applications with a strong emphasis on real-time performance and embedded implementation. Over the past decade, his research has evolved from foundational work in feature matching and homography estimation toward more complex applications in action recognition, human-computer interaction, and intelligent surveillance systems. His work consistently bridges theoretical computer vision with practical engineering constraints, particularly for mobile and embedded platforms. Best Paper Award, IEEE International Conference on Computer and Robot Vision (CRV 2014) Best Paper Award, CVPR Embedded Vision Workshop, Providence, RI, June 2012 Best Real-time Tracker, IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) Workshop on Visual Object Tracking (VOT2015) Professor Laganière has supervised numerous graduate students through the years, with a particular focus on practical applications of computer vision in surveillance, human recognition, and embedded systems. His research has been supported through industry partnerships with companies including CogniVue Corp, NXP, iWatchLife.com, Solink Corp, CBSA Canada, Ross Video, Thales, Habitat Seven, and YouI Labs. He has successfully translated his research into commercial applications through his founding of Visual Cortek (acquired by iWatchLife in 2009) and Tempo Analytics (founded in 2016). As a member of the VIVA research laboratory, Professor Laganière collaborates with colleagues on advanced computer vision projects, particularly those involving intelligent video analytics for security and commerce applications. His work on NAVIRE (Virtual Navigation in Remote Environments) demonstrates his commitment to developing practical solutions for real-world navigation challenges using image-based representations of real environments.
Roger Tam is an Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), with a joint appointment in the Department of Radiology. He is also the Associate Director of Graduate Studies. His research focuses on machine learning and computer vision applied to medical imaging, particularly in personalized medicine and quantitative image analysis. Tam earned his PhD in computer science from UBC in 2004, specializing in computational geometry and visualization. Education: PhD in Computer Science, UBC (2004) MSc in Computer Science BSc (Honors) Research Interests: Medical imaging biomarkers Machine learning applications in healthcare Quantitative image analysis Personalized medicine His work bridges computer science and clinical medicine, emphasizing translational approaches to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Recent Research Trends: Focus on myelin content analysis in neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis) Development of efficient machine learning models for medical image classification Impact of physical activity on white matter health Labs & Programs: Directs the Engineers in Scrubs program, which integrates engineering principles into biomedical education. Active in collaborative research initiatives like the Centre for Brain Health and the Canadian Prospective Cohort Study (CanProCo).
Hesham ElSawy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems and Networks at the School of Computing, Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen's University. His work focuses on advancing next-generation wireless systems, with particular emphasis on federated learning, IoT networks, and edge computing. He is affiliated with Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, Queen's University, and contributes to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of communication theory and network optimization. His research interests span stochastic geometry modeling, energy-efficient protocols for massive IoT deployments, and resilient federated learning frameworks. ElSawy explores novel paradigms in aerial wireless networks, UAV-assisted communication, and network security through percolation theory applications. Recent publications highlight his contributions to system-level analysis of parallel computing at extreme edges, UAV-enabled federated learning architectures, and energy-as-a-service models for RF-powered networks. His work emphasizes practical implementations and large-scale network validation. ElSawy holds no listed awards or grants in the provided text but maintains active collaborations through Ingenuity Labs. His research addresses critical challenges in 5G/6G networks, including latency optimization, resource allocation, and heterogeneous network integration.
Diane Guignard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on numerical analysis, partial differential equations, and computational methods with applications to mechanics and stochastic systems. She holds a position in a leading mathematics department and can be contacted at dguignar@uOttawa.ca . Her research interests include finite element methods, model reduction, uncertainty quantification, and optimal transport-based mesh adaptation. She explores nonlinear approximation theories for high-dimensional anisotropic functions and develops computational frameworks for thin structures and colloidal flow simulations. Her work bridges numerical analysis with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing adaptive algorithms and error estimation techniques. Her recent publications (2021-2024) highlight contributions to goal-oriented mesh adaptation, stochastic field approximations on surfaces, and large deformation analyses of prestrained plates. These studies emphasize interdisciplinary approaches combining mathematical rigor with computational innovation. Dr. Guignard has not been explicitly noted for awards in the provided materials. Her advising record is currently unspecified, though her research group likely engages in advanced numerical methods and computational mechanics projects.
