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Maja J Matarić is the Chan Soon-Shiong Chaired and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, with courtesy appointments in Neuroscience and Pediatrics. She serves as founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, and Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. Previously, she held leadership roles as USC's interim Vice President of Research (2020-2021) and Vice Dean for Research (2006-2019). Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT (1994) MS in Computer Science from MIT (1990) BS in Computer Science from University of Kansas (1987) Matarić pioneers Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) , a field her lab named, focusing on human-robot interaction that provides assistance through social rather than physical support. Her research targets critical health and wellness challenges including post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder therapy, cognitive exercises for Alzheimer's patients, ADHD academic support, and mental health interventions. She develops systems modeling user engagement, personality, and motivation, with extensive real-world deployments in schools, rehabilitation centers, and homes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in cognitive health robotics (2025 CHI paper on LLM-powered elder care), pediatric assistive technology (2025 IDC speech therapy review), and adaptive preference modeling (2025 HRI contrastive learning work). Her research consistently bridges machine learning with human-centered design for vulnerable populations. Major scientific recognition includes: ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2024) ACM Eugene L. Lawler Humanitarian Award (2024) ACM Fellow (2020) Presidential Mentoring Award (2011) Multiple society fellowships (AAAS, IEEE, AAAI) As a dedicated mentor, Matarić has championed underrepresented groups through CRA-W, placing numerous women in faculty positions. She leads USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Outreach Program serving low-income Los Angeles schools and authored The Robotics Prime for student education. Her research has secured significant funding enabling real-world technology transfer, with documented impact in rehabilitation centers and homes through deployable SAR systems. Her Robotics Research Lab at USC drives innovation in embodied AI, with current projects spanning LLM-integrated elder care robots, ADHD academic companions, and autism therapy systems. The lab emphasizes co-design with end-users and rigorous real-world validation across diverse populations.

• Socially Assistive Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Assistive Technology
• +7 more

Anwar Hithnawi is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, where he leads the Privacy Preserving Systems Lab (PPS Lab). His research focuses on data privacy, applied cryptography, and secure systems, with emphasis on privacy-preserving machine learning, federated learning, and encrypted data processing. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from ETH Zurich and was a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. Previously, he served as an Ambizione Fellow and research group leader at ETH Zurich. Research Interests: Data Privacy & Security Applied Cryptography (Homomorphic Encryption, Zero-Knowledge Proofs) Privacy-Preserving Systems (Federated Learning, Secure Analytics) IoT Security & Privacy Secure Collaborative Learning Awards: Google Research Award SNF Ambizione Grant ETH Medal for Outstanding Master Thesis (student Lukas Burkhalter) Microsoft Research Ph.D. Award (student Lukas Burkhalter) Lab Activities: The PPS Lab develops systems for privacy-preserving computation, secure collaborative learning, and encrypted data stream processing. Notable projects include Zeph, HECO, and Cohere. Recent achievements include acceptance of DPolicy at IEEE S&P 2025 and RoFL at Oakland 2023.

• Data Privacy
• Applied Cryptography
• Privacy-Preserving Systems
• +5 more

Maher Elshakankiri is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Ain Shams University (Egypt), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Regina. His research focuses on IoT, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and pedagogical integration of technology and gaming. He has supervised over 100 student projects and authored a book on WSNs. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt M.Eng., B.Eng. in Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Regina, Canada Research Interests: IoT in healthcare, agriculture, and sports Active learning classrooms and technology in education Wireless communication protocols (V2V, UAV, RFID) Leadership & Grants: Director, Bachelor of Information (BI) Program (2024–present) Coordinator, Information Systems and Design (ISD) Concentration (2023) SSHRC Grant: 'Gaming in teaching towards a more inclusive class' (2022–2023) Professional Activities: Member, SCC IoT & Digital Twins Standards Committee Reviewer for journals including Wireless Networks , Telematics and Informatics , and Computational Intelligence Technical Program Committee member at multiple conferences Teaching: Courses include INF1340 (Programming for Data Science), INF1005/1006 (IoT Workshops), and INF452 (Information Design Coding).

• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)
• Active Learning Classrooms
• +5 more

Dr. Mahesh Tripunitara is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, serving as Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies. He holds a PhD (2005) and Master's (1995) in Computer Science from Purdue University, along with a BSc (1993) in Computer Science from Dalhousie University. His research focuses on information security, authorization mechanisms, cryptographic key management, and hardware security, with industry experience at Motorola's R&D labs and Silicon Valley. His work spans theoretical advancements like access control policy analysis and practical applications such as secure payments systems and IoT device reliability. Notable awards include the Best Student Paper at Usenix Security 2013 and Best Paper at ACM SACMAT 2013. He actively serves on program committees for major security conferences including CCS, CODASPY, and SACMAT. Recent publications highlight innovations in cellular security (SUCI-Catchers defense), role-mining optimization, and blockchain smart contract auditing. Teaching includes advanced algorithm design courses (ECE 406/606) and digital computation (BME 121). His research emphasizes balancing security rigor with usability in authorization systems and hardware protection mechanisms.

• Information Security
• Authorization and Access Control
• Cryptographic Key Transport
• +7 more

Marcelo M. Wanderley is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) at McGill University's Schulich School of Music. His academic roles include Area Coordinator for Music Technology and membership on the Executive Committee. He holds a PhD in acoustics, signal processing, and computer science from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI). Wanderley's research focuses on novel interfaces for music performance, digital musical instruments (DMIs), and human-computer interaction. He has authored influential works such as New Digital Musical Instruments: Control and Interaction Beyond the Keyboard (2006) and pioneered research in gestural control of music. His work integrates engineering, computer science, and musicology to create innovative performance tools, including the T-Stick and Karlax instruments. He has held visiting professorships at Université de Bretagne Sud, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil), and the University of Mons (Belgium), where he was awarded prestigious chairs. Wanderley's awards include the Inria International Chair (2016–2020) and the Distinguished Visitor Award from the University of Auckland. His research has been widely cited in the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), and he actively contributes to editorial boards (e.g., Computer Music Journal ) and academic leadership roles. Wanderley's lab, the Input Devices and Music Interaction Lab (IDMIL), develops open-source frameworks like Puara and Probatio for DMI design and mapping. Key research areas include haptic feedback systems, motion capture of musical performances, and accessibility in music technology. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging engineering, art, and cognitive science to advance musical expression and performance practices.

• Music Technology
• Computer Music
• Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs)
• +5 more

Andrea Bunt is a Full Professor and Associate Head (Graduate) in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba, where she co-directs the HCI lab. She has established herself as a leading researcher in human-computer interaction with significant contributions to software learnability, rural computing, and technologies for children and families. Her work bridges theoretical and practical aspects of HCI, with strong community engagement through student supervision and collaborative projects. Dr. Bunt completed her B.Sc. at Queen's University, followed by an M.Sc. in 2001 and Ph.D. in 2007 at the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining the University of Manitoba, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab. This educational trajectory has provided her with a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research approach. Her research interests span multiple areas within human-computer interaction, with particular focus on software learnability for diverse user groups, improving computing experiences in rural and remote communities, and designing technologies specifically for children and families. Her work on explainable AI, gender inclusivity in technology, and collaborative learning dynamics represents cutting-edge contributions to the field. Recent projects include Stream Assistant for live streamers, digital interventions for adolescent tech disengagement, and gender-inclusive approaches to online question-and-answer platforms. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on user-centered approaches to technology design, particularly focusing on vulnerable or underserved populations. Her work consistently bridges theoretical HCI principles with practical applications, demonstrating how technology can be made more accessible, inclusive, and effective for diverse user groups. There's a clear trajectory toward addressing societal challenges through HCI, with increasing focus on ethical considerations in AI systems. CS-Can | Info-Can Young Researcher Award (2018) NSERC Accelerator Supplement (2015-2018) Multiple Best Paper Awards at premier conferences including CHI, Graphics Interface, and FDG Consistent recognition for methodological innovation and impactful research contributions Dr. Bunt actively mentors a diverse group of students at all levels, from undergraduate research assistants to Ph.D. candidates. Her lab receives funding from NSERC Discovery Grants and other sources to support research on intelligent interactive systems. She has successfully guided numerous students through their academic journeys, with many going on to impactful careers in academia and industry. Her collaborative approach extends to interdisciplinary partnerships across computer science, education, and social sciences. The HCI lab she co-directs serves as a vibrant research hub focusing on real-world applications of human-computer interaction principles. Current projects address critical challenges including technology use in rural communities, digital wellbeing for adolescents, and inclusive design practices. The lab fosters a collaborative environment where students and researchers work together to develop innovative solutions to complex HCI problems.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Intelligent Interactive Systems
• Software Learnability
• +5 more

Riham AlTawy is an Associate Professor and MTIS Program Director at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria. She previously held positions as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo and an NSERC Canada Graduate Scholar at Concordia University. Her research focuses on IoT security, blockchain consensus mechanisms, lightweight cryptographic primitives, and privacy-preserving protocols. She leads the IoTSec group, which develops application-specific cryptographic solutions for IoT authentication and privacy challenges. Education includes postdoctoral training at the Communication Security (ComSec) group (University of Waterloo) and doctoral studies at Concordia University. Her work has led to publications in top venues such as IEEE Transactions and CANS conferences. She actively seeks PhD research assistants and postdoctoral fellows in cryptographic research. Key research areas include authentication protocols for edge computing, privacy in cross-domain systems, and lightweight algorithms for constrained devices. Her group emphasizes practical solutions for real-world IoT security challenges.

• IoT Security
• Lightweight Cryptography
• Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms
• +3 more

Bita Amani is an Associate Professor of Law at Queen’s University, affiliated with the Cultural Studies Graduate Program. She holds a BA in Sociology (York University), LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School, and SJD from the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on food law, intellectual property, privacy, and feminist legal studies, exploring intersections with technology regulation, sustainability, and gender equity. Key professional roles include: Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School (Part-Time Professional Development Program), Co-Director of Feminist Legal Studies at Queen’s, and consultant for governmental bodies like Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General. Her work addresses critical issues such as biopiracy, AI ethics, and privacy law implications of emerging technologies. Education: BA (York), LLB (Osgoode), SJD (Toronto) Awards: IWOO High Achiever Award (2017), IT.CAN Board Member (2009-11) Consultancies: Provincial genetic technology policy (2001), foreign polygamy recognition study (2005) Research spans food governance frameworks, algorithmic accountability, and regulatory challenges in biotechnology. She has authored/co-authored influential books like Trade-marks and Unfair Competition: Cases and Commentary on Canadian Law and State Agency and the Patenting of Life in International Law . Her interdisciplinary approach bridges law, science, and social policy. Recent work emphasizes AI’s impact on copyright frameworks and trademark law’s role in sustainability goals.

• Intellectual Property Law
• Food Law and Governance
• Privacy and Data Protection
• +5 more

Laurier Turgeon is Professor of Ethnology and History and holds the Canada Research Chair in Ethnological Heritage at Université Laval, Quebec, Canada. He is a leading scholar in cultural and intangible heritage, with extensive international collaborations, including visiting positions at Harvard University and the MIT Media Lab. He directs the Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM) and has held leadership roles at the Institute of Cultural Heritage (2005–2012) and the interuniversity research center CELAT (1994–2000). Canada Research Chair in Ethnological Heritage Professor, Department of Ethnology and History, Université Laval Director, Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM) Editor-in-Chief, Ethnologies journal Co-director, Encyclopedia of the Cultural Heritage of French America His research focuses on the socio-political dimensions of cultural heritage, including transmedia narratives, food heritage, digital documentation, and the role of communities in heritage practices. He has pioneered innovative digital inventories of intangible heritage in partnership with Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and has led public exhibitions such as Manger Ensemble on Quebec’s food heritage. His work bridges academic research, public engagement, and policy development. The analysis of his recent articles reveals a strong thematic focus on critical heritage studies, with attention to borders, rights, ownership, and the political uses of heritage. His publications explore the tensions between formal heritage regimes and informal cultural practices, the role of art and media in heritage appropriation, and the spatial and territorial dimensions of cultural meaning-making. There is a consistent interdisciplinary approach, integrating anthropology, geography, law, and political theory. His scientific recognition includes: The Summit International Award for Creative Media—Visionnary Award (2014) Prix de l’Office de la langue française du Québec—Solutions mobiles (2014) Prix Marius Barbeau (2016) Laurier Turgeon actively mentors emerging scholars and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. He has secured major grants for digital heritage projects and leads the development of mobile applications and online encyclopedias to democratize access to cultural knowledge. His future work continues to emphasize community-based heritage, digital innovation, and the global challenges of heritage preservation in a rapidly changing world. He leads the Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM), which specializes in multimedia documentation of intangible heritage, digital archiving, and public dissemination of research through exhibitions, mobile apps, and online platforms. The lab fosters collaboration between researchers, communities, and cultural institutions.

• Cultural Heritage
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Ethnology
• +7 more

Lin Cai is a Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Victoria, Canada. She holds prestigious fellowships including NSERC Steacie, IEEE, CAE, and Royal Society of Canada. Her research focuses on wireless communications, networking, and mobile computing, with emphasis on protocols for multimedia and IoT systems. She has led projects in vehicular networks, UAV-assisted systems, and federated learning for edge intelligence. Dr. Cai has advised over 20 students, many of whom have received awards and prominent roles in academia and industry. She has authored numerous high-impact papers, secured grants from NSERC, CFI, and industry partners, and serves in leadership roles at IEEE and educational institutions. Notable contributions include work on congestion control, network security, and autonomous systems. Education: BEng (Nanjing U. of Sci. & Tech.), MASc/PhD (University of Waterloo) Affiliations: IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Board of Governors, IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Awards: 2020 IEEE N2Women 'Star in Networking', RSC Fellow 2024, Best Paper Awards (ICC 2008, WCNC 2011) Research Labs: Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) Lab, AI-driven Networking Group Her work integrates networking, AI, and control theory to address challenges in 6G, IoT, and smart transportation. She actively promotes diversity through initiatives like the 'Riko-chan' STEM manga series.

• Wireless Communications
• Networking
• Mobile Computing
• +7 more

Dr. Ali Grami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering at Ontario Tech University, within the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto (1986), an MEng from McGill University (1980), and a BSc from the University of Manitoba (1978). His research focuses on satellite communications, digital transmission systems, and wireless networks. He has extensive industrial experience, including roles at Telesat Canada and Nortel Networks, and has contributed to pioneering projects like Canada's Anik-F2 Ka-Band satellite system. Dr. Grami has authored several textbooks, including Introduction to Digital Communications and Discrete Mathematics: Essentials and Applications . His work spans theoretical advancements (e.g., beamforming algorithms, spectrum access protocols) and practical applications in broadband satellite systems and cognitive radio networks. Awards include the United Nations TOKTEN Award (1995) and Nortel Award of Excellence (1989). He has designed academic programs at Ontario Tech, including the BEng, MASc/MEng, and PhD in ECE, and contributed to IT security programs. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in digital transmission, communication systems, and signal processing.

• Satellite Communications
• Digital Transmission Systems
• Wireless Communications
• +3 more

Dr. Joshua M. Pearce is a Professor at Western University, holding appointments in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Ivey Business School. He is the John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation at the Thompson Centre for Engineering Leadership & Innovation and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. His research focuses on open-source appropriate technology for sustainability and poverty reduction, spanning solar photovoltaics, 3D printing, distributed recycling, and policy analysis. Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Pennsylvania State University Former Richard Witte Professor at Michigan Tech Editor-in-Chief of HardwareX Author of multiple open-source sustainability books His work integrates engineering, economics, and policy to solve global sustainability challenges. Recent projects include agrivoltaic systems, open-source medical devices, and climate-resilient food production frameworks. He leads the Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) research group, which has produced over 200 open-access publications cited in top-tier journals like Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (IF=16.3) and HardwareX (IF=2). Dr. Pearce's scientific contributions include: Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair Top 0.06% most cited scientist (Elsevier metrics) Leading open-source hardware certification frameworks Developing low-cost scientific instruments His research team includes cross-disciplinary collaborators from Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science, and Policy Studies. The FAST group emphasizes practical open-source solutions for energy, water, and food security in both developed and low-resource contexts.

• Renewable Energy
• Open Source Hardware
• 3D Printing
• +3 more

Liang Xue is an Assistant Professor in the School of Information Technology at York University. She holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo (2022) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Guelph’s School of Computer Science (2022–2024). Her research focuses on applied cryptography, blockchain security, privacy-preserving AI, and cybersecurity in cloud and IoT systems. She has published in top-tier journals like IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, and conferences such as IEEE International Conference on Communications. Her work addresses challenges in data privacy, secure authentication, and regulatory compliance in decentralized systems. Recent projects include privacy-enhancing technologies for access control, blockchain-based data trading frameworks, and federated learning with privacy guarantees. She actively contributes to standards for cybersecurity in smart cities and next-generation wireless networks.

• Applied Cryptography
• Cybersecurity
• Data Security and Privacy
• +4 more

Dr. Amori Yee Mikami is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, where she serves as Associate Head for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Clinical Child Psychology and is a registered clinical psychologist in British Columbia. Dr. Mikami directs the Promoting Equitable, Affirming Relationships Lab (PEARL), which focuses on youth social relationships with a particular emphasis on those with ADHD. Her work applies a strong equity, diversity, and inclusion perspective to understanding peer dynamics and developing interventions. Her research examines how supportive classroom and home environments can help children with peer problems, with special interest in designing interventions that train teachers or parents in strategies to assist children. Dr. Mikami's work spans several key areas including digital social interactions, cross-racial friendships, barriers to mental health services among equity-deserving groups (particularly Asian Canadian youth with ADHD), and the application of social inclusion principles to peer relationship problems rather than focusing solely on individual deficits. Dr. Mikami's publication record shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly incorporating digital contexts into social relationship research, examining TikTok content about ADHD, online social interactions, and digital interventions. Her work has shifted toward more explicitly addressing structural barriers to inclusion rather than focusing solely on individual-level social skills deficits, reflecting her strong equity perspective. Canada Research Chair (2024) UBC Killam Research Prize (2018) Association for Psychological Science Rising Star (2011) American Psychological Association Award, Division 53 (2005) Dr. Mikami actively mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students in her lab, with many serving as co-authors on her publications. Her lab develops and tests interventions such as Parental Friendship Coaching, which trains parents to support their children's social development. She has secured significant grant funding to examine barriers to mental health services among Asian Canadian youth with ADHD and to develop digital interventions to improve social connectedness. The PEARL lab maintains a strong focus on applying research to real-world contexts, with an emphasis on making findings accessible to families and practitioners through resources like her book 'Parents as Friendship Coaches for Children with ADHD.'

• Clinical Child Psychology
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Peer Relationships
• +7 more

Fiona Kouyoumdjian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, with affiliations to the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact and ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). She serves as Research Director in the Department of Family Medicine and leads a research program focused on the population health status of incarcerated individuals. Her work emphasizes health equity, public health systems, and clinical population medicine integration. Education: Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Brown University Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dalhousie University Master of Public Health (MPH), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Toronto Research Interests: Fiona’s research addresses health equity challenges faced by incarcerated populations, including substance-related mortality, HIV care access, reproductive health in prisons, and healthcare continuity post-release. She explores intersections of incarceration with mental health, addiction, and systemic inequities, advocating for policy reforms in correctional healthcare systems. Her work bridges clinical practice and population health, focusing on marginalized groups such as Indigenous communities, racialized populations, and those with intellectual disabilities. Key Contributions: Leading the Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC), a multinational meta-analysis on post-release mortality Advocating for opioid agonist treatment access in correctional facilities Co-authoring evidence-based guidelines for trauma-informed care in prisons Labs/Teams: Active in ICES’ population health research programs and collaborates with the David Braley Primary Care Research Collaborative. Engaged in community-academic partnerships to improve incarceration health equity.

• Epidemiology
• Health equity
• Primary health care
• +3 more