Olga Veksler is a Professor at the University of Waterloo's Department of Computer Science, part of the Faculty of Mathematics. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Cornell University (1999) and a B.A. from New York University (1995). Her research focuses on computer vision, machine learning, and discrete optimization, with notable contributions to image segmentation, graph algorithms, and deep learning integration. Her work emphasizes semantic segmentation, salient object detection, and efficient optimization techniques for graphical models. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cornell University, 1999 M.Sc. in Computer Science, Cornell University, 1999 B.A. in Computer Science, New York University, 1995 Her research explores intersections between machine learning and traditional computer vision challenges, particularly leveraging graph-based optimization and CRF models. Recent trends in her work include weakly supervised learning, sparse non-local CRF applications, and test-time adaptation strategies for salient object detection. She has pioneered methods for shape priors in multi-object segmentation and efficient graph-cut algorithms. Her advising and grant activities are foundational to her research, though specific grant details are not listed here. She maintains a lab focused on advancing computer vision through algorithmic innovation, with contributions to both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in medical imaging and scene understanding.
Dr. Karim El-Basyouny is a Killam Laureate Professor and City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Safety Research Chair at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he serves as Associate Dean (Research Infrastructure and Innovation) in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. A licensed Professional Engineer in Alberta, he holds advanced degrees in Transportation Engineering from the University of British Columbia and has dedicated his career to advancing road safety through data-driven management frameworks. His academic credentials include: Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2011 Engineering Management Sub-specialization, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2006 Bachelor's degree (ABET Equivalent), Civil & Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, 2003 El-Basyouny's research pioneers the integration of remote sensing, machine learning, and statistical modeling to enhance transportation safety. His work develops automated tools for infrastructure digitization, collision prediction, and speed management, treating safety as a systemic product requiring management frameworks. Key contributions include LiDAR-based road feature extraction, network-level safety evaluations, and frameworks for vision-zero outcomes that address both human-driven and autonomous vehicle contexts. His recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory centered on leveraging point cloud data and computational intelligence for safety management. Over 15 major publications since 2021 focus on automated infrastructure assessment (light pole detection, clear zone mapping, vertical clearance evaluation), weather-impact modeling, and enforcement resource optimization. This body of work bridges transportation engineering with computer vision and operations research to create scalable safety solutions. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors including: 2024 Killam Annual Professorship Award 2024 Road Safety Achievement Award from TAC 2023 Donald Stanley Award for environmental engineering 2022 Faculty of Engineering Graduate Teaching Award 2021 Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award As an academic leader, El-Basyouny actively mentors graduate students and secures significant research funding through his endowed chair position. He currently recruits fully-funded PhD and postdoctoral candidates specializing in remote sensing applications, machine learning, and geomatics for road digitization projects. His research group collaborates with national safety committees and municipal agencies to translate findings into policy, while he serves on editorial boards for Transportation Research Record and Analytic Methods in Accident Research. The research group operates at the intersection of transportation engineering and computational science, developing automated frameworks that merge sensor technologies with data processing tools. Current projects focus on semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds, safety implications of infrastructure digitization, and machine learning applications for road feature extraction in both urban and rural environments.
Dan Lizotte is an Associate Professor jointly appointed to the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University. Additional affiliations include the Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health and a cross-appointment to the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences. Based in Middlesex College, London, Ontario, his contact email is dlizotte@uwo.ca. His research centers on machine learning and biostatistics for health decision support, with emphasis on sequential decision-making in chronic disease management where evolving patient health status and preferences inform adaptive interventions. Core contributions involve adapting reinforcement learning frameworks to model dynamic health decisions in public health and primary care settings, addressing methodological challenges in personalized medicine and risk prediction. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on healthcare applications of machine learning, particularly in chronic disease risk modeling using electronic medical records, intersectionality frameworks in public health AI, and Bayesian methods for dose personalization. His work bridges reinforcement learning with clinical decision support systems, advancing dynamic treatment regimes and statistical methodologies for evolving patient data. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. The text does not specify any advisees, grant funding, or educational background details. Lizotte leads a research laboratory focused on machine learning applications in health, as evidenced by the dedicated lab site referenced in his contact information. His team likely explores intersections of statistical methodology, AI ethics, and clinical implementation for personalized health interventions.
WonSook Lee is a tenured Full Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering. Her expertise spans medical imaging, machine/deep learning, computer graphics, and computer vision. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and holds degrees from POSTECH (Korea) and NUS (Singapore). Before academia, she worked at Korea Telecom, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and Eyematic Interfaces Inc. (USA). Her research focuses on applications such as virtual/augmented reality, MRI/CT/Ultrasound analysis, and 3D mesh modeling. She has authored over 130 publications, including 30+ journal papers, and serves on conference committees and editorial boards. Lee has secured major grants (NSERC, CFI, ORF) as Principal Investigator and contributed to global initiatives like South Korea’s National Research Foundation. Her lab explores cutting-edge techniques in medical imaging, AI-driven object detection, and multimodal systems. Notable projects include adversarial perturbation analysis for model robustness, cross-domain GANs for semantic segmentation, and real-time ultrasound-enhanced pronunciation training. She actively promotes interdisciplinary research in healthcare technology and autonomous systems.
Ryo Suzuki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and robotics, particularly in tangible user interfaces, swarm robotics, and shape-changing interfaces. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Colorado Boulder (2020) and has conducted research internships at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, the University of Tokyo, and Adobe Research. His educational background includes advanced coursework in robotics and HCI, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation. He teaches courses such as Human-Computer Interaction II, Human-Robot Interaction, and Special Topics in Mixed Reality Application Design. Research interests include designing novel interfaces for AR/VR/MR systems, haptic feedback mechanisms, and collaborative robotics. His work often bridges physical and digital spaces, such as through projects like LiftTiles (shape-changing building blocks) and RoomShift (room-scale haptic environments). Key awards include the UIST 2020 Honorable Mention Paper Award, DIS 2019 Best Paper Award, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan Innovation Award. His research has been featured in IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, TechXplore, and Wired. He actively explores future work in symbiotic AI systems, AI-in-the-loop AR applications, and scalable shape-changing robotics. His lab emphasizes hands-on prototyping and user-centered design principles.
Marco Pedersoli serves as an Assistant Professor at École de technologie supérieure (ETS) in Montreal since February 2017, where he leads research in computer vision and machine learning. His work focuses on reducing computational costs and annotation requirements for deploying vision algorithms on embedded devices, positioning ETS at the forefront of Montreal's AI ecosystem. His academic journey includes: Ph.D. from Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) under Jordi Gonzàlez and Juan José Villanueva Post-doctoral research at INRIA Grenoble with Cordelia Schmid and Jakob Verbeek (2015-2016) Research at KU Leuven with Tinne Tuytelaars (2012-2015) Dr. Pedersoli's research tackles deep learning bottlenecks through weakly-supervised methodologies and computational efficiency innovations . His three core projects address: Reduced Supervision : Developing weakly/semi-supervised learning for images, video, audio and text Exploration Learning : Optimizing data selection in unstructured environments Efficient Computation : Accelerating deep learning training and inference These efforts enable vision algorithms to run on resource-constrained portable devices. Publication trends (2014-2022) reveal consistent focus on weak supervision (60% of works) and computational efficiency (30%), with recent expansion into medical imaging and multimodal emotion recognition. Key venues include CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS and ECCV. His accolades include: Best Paper Award at ICIAR 2019 NVIDIA Titan X Pascal hardware donation Dr. Pedersoli actively mentors 18 graduate students across PhD and MSc programs, with notable placements at Huawei and Radio Canada. His lab secures competitive tax-free funding for projects with international collaborations, including Element AI and European institutions. Current openings emphasize Python/C++ proficiency and deep learning expertise. He leads a dynamic research group at ETS developing open-source tools for Roi-Pooling, weakly-supervised detection, and 3D object recognition, maintaining active GitHub repositories with community contributions. Recent WACV 2023 acceptances demonstrate ongoing productivity following medical leave.
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. Robert J. Teather is an Associate Professor and the Director of the School of Information Technology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He previously served as an interim Director of the School of Information Technology during the 2022-23 academic year. His academic journey includes a PhD in Computer Science from York University (2013) and a postdoctoral fellowship at McMaster University (2015). Dr. Teather's educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science from York University (2013) Master's Thesis: "Comparing 2D and 3D Direct Manipulation Interfaces" from York University (2008), which was awarded the Joseph Liu Thesis Award Dr. Teather's research broadly falls under the field of human-computer interaction, with specialization in 3D user interfaces, virtual reality, and user interfaces for computer games. His work establishes methods for direct comparison of 2D and 3D interfaces for conceptually equivalent tasks, such as selection and manipulation interfaces. He investigates factors influencing human performance in VR, including stereo 3D graphics, haptic feedback, and head-tracking. His research also evaluates novel user interfaces like tilt control or touchscreens, and examines human performance with game input devices in complex tasks involving navigation, selection, and manipulation of objects in game environments. His research has been published extensively in top venues including IEEE VR, ACM SUI, and Graphics Interface. Among his notable scientific achievements are: NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship during his PhD studies Ontario Graduate Scholarship during his PhD studies Best Paper Honourable Mention at the ACM Symposium on Applied Perception 2020 Best Demo Award for SUI 2017 Joseph Liu Thesis Award (2008) Dr. Teather actively supervises graduate students at Carleton University, currently overseeing multiple PhD and Master's students in the areas of human-computer interaction and interactive digital media. His research is supported by NSERC and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, providing funding for his students and laboratory equipment. His students have produced research spanning VR as a persuasive tool to improve vaccine confidence, selection performance using smartphones in VR, and text entry methods in virtual reality environments. Dr. Teather leads a well-equipped CFI-supported lab focused on virtual and augmented reality research. His team works collaboratively on projects related to interactive virtual reality systems, computer game user interfaces, and input devices for 3D interaction. The lab environment fosters interdisciplinary research with opportunities for students to work on cutting-edge VR/AR technologies and contribute to the growing field of spatial computing.
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.
Dr. Hassan Ashtiani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing and Software at McMaster University and a faculty affiliate at the Vector Institute. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo (2018), a master’s in AI and Robotics, and a bachelor’s in computer engineering from the University of Tehran. His research focuses on machine learning, statistical learning theory, and theoretical computer science, with emphasis on adversarial robustness, privacy-preserving algorithms, and sample-efficient learning. Current projects include differentially private machine learning, robustness against adversarial perturbations, and distribution shifts. Recent work highlights include NeurIPS 2018 best paper award for pioneering distribution compression schemes in Gaussian mixtures. He routinely serves as an area chair for NeurIPS and other ML conferences. His CAS 775 course explores modern distribution learning theory, covering topics like PAC learning, computational complexity, and differential privacy. Awards: NeurIPS Best Paper Award (2018) Advising: Open PhD/MSc positions are listed on his homepage. His research group collaborates with the Vector Institute, focusing on advancing theoretical foundations of machine learning with practical applications.
Mohammad Hamdaqa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, where he leads the Laboratory of Software and Emerging Technologies. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo (2016), a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Concordia University, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on the intersection of software engineering and emerging technologies, particularly examining how software engineering approaches can be adapted for complex new platforms like cloud computing and blockchain. His work spans model-driven software engineering, cloud application architecture, smart contract development, and infrastructure as code. He investigates both how traditional software engineering practices can evolve to address the challenges of modern distributed systems and how emerging technologies can transform software development processes themselves. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on blockchain technologies (particularly smart contracts), cloud-native applications, and the application of AI to software engineering tasks. His work shows a consistent thread of empirical research combined with practical tool development, with increasing focus on sustainability aspects of software systems in recent years. Much of his research bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementation concerns. Professor Hamdaqa serves as a thesis supervisor for multiple graduate students, with recent completed Master's theses focusing on smart contract auditing, prompt engineering for OCL generation, model-driven epidemiology, and security practices in infrastructure as code. He actively recruits students for research projects in his laboratory. He is a member of both the IEEE Computer Society and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), has served on program committees for major software engineering conferences, and is on the editorial board of Service Transaction on Internet of Thing. His laboratory, the Laboratory of Software and Emerging Technologies, serves as the hub for his research activities in blockchain, cloud computing, and model-driven engineering.
Niko Troje is a Professor at York University, affiliated with the Departments of Psychology, Biology, and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. He holds cross-appointments and leadership roles, including Director of the BioMotion Lab. His research focuses on perceptual representations, biological motion, and vision science. Education: Ph.D. in Biology (1994) - Albert-Ludwigs Universität B.Sc. in Biology (1990), Physics & Mathematics (1987) - Albert-Ludwigs Universität Research Interests: Troje investigates how the brain processes biological motion, perception of human and animal movement, and applications in virtual reality. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and computer science. Key Contributions: Pioneered point-light displays for motion perception, explored gait analysis in mental health, and developed tools for motion capture and analysis (e.g., bmlTUX). Awards: Humboldt Research Prize (2014) NSERC Steacie Fellowship (2008-2009) Canada Research Chair (2003-2013) Grants & Labs: Led funded projects on movement perception, collaborated with institutions like the Max Planck Institute, and directs the BioMotion Lab at York University.
Hamid Mansoor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute under Prof. Emmanuel Agu, and was part of the DARPA-funded WASH project. His research focuses on data visualization, digital health, and smartphone-based behavioral analysis. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the VIXI Lab, University of Victoria, Canada, under Prof. Miguel Nacenta. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Research Interests: Interactive data visualization frameworks for health monitoring Mobile and ubiquitous computing for behavioral analysis Smartphone-sensed human behavior and health informatics Visual representation of text-based and sensor data Publications highlight trends in visual analytics for healthcare, including tools like ARGUS and INPHOVIS for detecting bio-behavioral disruptions and smartphone-based phenotyping. His work integrates machine learning with visualization to address challenges in health data interpretation. Awards: Best short paper honorable mention (EuroVis 2020) His contributions span academic collaborations in health informatics and mobile computing, with a focus on bridging theory and practical applications in healthcare technology.
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.
Charles Perin is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Victoria, leading the UViz research group. He holds a PhD from Université Paris-Sud (2014) and has held roles including Post-doc at the University of Calgary and Lecturer at City, University of London. His research focuses on information visualization, personal visualization, human-computer interaction, and sports visualization. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2014), Université Paris-Sud; Post-doc at University of Calgary (InnoVis lab); MS and earlier studies in Computer Science and HCI in France. Research interests include designing interactive visualization tools for personal data reflection, health data communication, and sports analytics. He emphasizes authoring tools for non-experts and physical/tangible visualization systems. Recent work explores embedded data physicalizations and mobile visualization design. His articles span topics like data storytelling, patient-generated health visualizations, and soccer data analysis, often appearing in top venues like IEEE VIS, CHI, and Eurovis. He has advised over 20 students across PhD, MSc, and undergraduate levels. Teaching includes courses on Information Visualization and HCI at UVic, City, and other institutions. He co-organized workshops on topics like Personal Visualization and Sports Data at IEEE VIS. His UViz lab collaborates internationally with institutions like Monash University and the National Archives (UK).
