Kyros Kutulakos is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, where he leads research in computational imaging and 3D sensing. His affiliations include the Toronto Computational Imaging Group, Computer Vision Group, Dynamic Graphics Project (DGP), and Vector Institute Group. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses such as CSC320 (Introduction to Visual Computing) and CSC2530 (Computational Imaging & 3D Sensing). His research interests span computational imaging, non-line-of-sight imaging, single-photon detectors, 3D sensing, and neural rendering. Notable contributions include advancements in structured-light imaging, time-of-flight systems, and super-oscillatory microscopy. He has advised numerous PhD and MSc students, fostering cutting-edge research in imaging technologies. Kutulakos has received prestigious awards, including the Dean’s Research Excellence Award (2023) and multiple best paper prizes (e.g., Marr Prize at ICCV 2023). He has served as program chair for ICCV 2013, ICCP 2010, and CVPR 2003, contributing to academic leadership in computer vision. His work bridges optics, photonics, and computation, with applications in autonomous systems, medical imaging, and astronomy. Current research focuses on extreme imaging scenarios, such as imaging in pitch-black environments and around corners, leveraging novel sensor designs and computational techniques.
Adrien Desjardins is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, jointly appointed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Science. He joined UBC in 2024 after serving as a Full Professor at University College London from 2019-2024, following 13 years on faculty there. His educational background includes a B.Sc. from UBC (2001) and a Ph.D. from MIT and Harvard University (2007). Dr. Desjardins' research program focuses on interdisciplinary development of imaging and sensing modalities and autonomous robotics with marine and biomedical applications. His work integrates photonics, ultrasound, machine learning, and robotics to create innovative diagnostic tools and sensing systems, particularly in optical coherence tomography, diffuse optical spectroscopy, and photoacoustic imaging. His publication record reveals an evolution from foundational neuroimaging work (2001) toward increasingly sophisticated optical systems culminating in breakthroughs like ultrasensitive optical microresonators for ultrasound sensing (2017), demonstrating consistent innovation in biomedical optics with growing emphasis on machine learning integration and real-world applications. His scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards: Research Chair from the Royal Academy of Engineering Healthcare Technologies Challenge Award from EPSRC Starting grants from ERC, EPSRC, and Royal Society World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2015) UCL Provost Teaching Prize (2013) Dr. Desjardins actively mentors graduate students and secures major research funding through competitive grants, with current openings for January/September 2025 intakes. His program involves close industry collaboration indicating strong translational focus, though specific lab names aren't mentioned. The interdisciplinary nature of his work suggests teams spanning engineering, computer science, and medical disciplines working on next-generation imaging systems for healthcare and marine exploration.
Mark Crowley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, with a cross-appointment in the Cheriton School of Computer Science. He is a member of the Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute (WAII) and the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI), and serves as National Secretary of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC). His educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, where he worked in the Laboratory for Computational Intelligence, and a B.A. in Computer Science from York University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University working with Tom Dietterich's machine learning group. Crowley's research focuses on developing dependable and transparent algorithms to augment human decision-making in complex domains with multiple agents, spatial structure, or uncertainty. His work spans Reinforcement Learning , Deep Learning , Ensemble Methods , and Manifold Learning . He frequently collaborates with researchers in applied fields including Computational Sustainability, Sustainable Forest Management, Autonomous Driving, Medical Imaging, and Material Design. His research is motivated by both theoretical opportunities and real-world challenges such as forest fire management, automotive applications, and medical imaging. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on addressing challenges in reinforcement learning, particularly around observation costs, multi-agent systems, and causal representation learning. His work on ChemGymRL provides a significant contribution to digital chemistry and material design through reinforcement learning frameworks. The textbook Elements of Dimensionality Reduction and Manifold Learning represents a major contribution to the theoretical foundations of machine learning. Crowley actively supervises graduate students, with recent thesis completions including Shayan Shirahmadi Gale Bagi (PhD, Feb 2025) and Oleksandra Nahorna (MASc, Dec 2024). His lab, UWECEML (Waterloo ECE Machine Learning Lab), focuses on developing new algorithms at the intersection of Machine Learning, Optimization, and Probabilistic Modeling. He teaches courses including ECE 457C (Reinforcement Learning), ECE 657A (Data & Knowledge Modelling & Analysis), and ECE 457B (Fundamentals of Computational Intelligence). His blog Computationally Thinking explores AI, machine learning, and the societal impact of these technologies.
Richard Jochelson serves as Dean of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba (Robson Hall), a position he has held since July 1, 2016. Previously, he taught criminal law for 10 years at the University of Winnipeg. Dr. Jochelson holds a Ph.D. in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, an LLM from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, an LL.B. with Gold Medal from the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, and a B.Sc. in Zoology with Distinction from the same institution. He completed his legal training as a clerk at the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen's Bench before working at a major Canadian law firm. Dr. Jochelson's research program centers on critical issues in criminal justice and constitutional law, with primary interests in police powers jurisprudence, sexual regulation (particularly obscenity and indecency law), jury systems and representativeness, and legal pedagogy. His interdisciplinary approach bridges law with sociology and psychology, bringing empirical and theoretical rigor to legal scholarship. His work consistently addresses social justice concerns, examining how vulnerable populations interact with the justice system and how concepts like risk, precaution, and visibility shape legal decision-making. He has developed a distinctive methodology combining doctrinal analysis with empirical research on judicial behavior and jury decision-making. His recent publications reveal evolving scholarly priorities that respond to contemporary legal challenges. The 2025 article "Morbid Matters" addresses medical assistance in dying within federal corrections, while his 2024 works on youth terrorism cases and agnotology demonstrate expansion into new interdisciplinary territories. His longstanding commitment to police powers scholarship continues with "Ancillary Police Powers in Canada" (2024). The pandemic period saw significant contributions to understanding digital justice, mental health in legal education, and remote court proceedings. His criminal law scholarship maintains focus on jury representativeness, particularly regarding Indigenous inclusion following Bill C-75's elimination of peremptory challenges. Students' Teacher Recognition Award (CATL) - 2018 Dr. Jochelson has secured multiple SSHRC Insight Grants as both Principal and Co-investigator, demonstrating his ability to lead interdisciplinary research teams. His mentorship extends to junior academics and students, with several publications co-authored with emerging scholars. He has built significant research infrastructure, notably assembling nearly 40 interdisciplinary scholars across Canada for Robsoncrim.com, which has elevated the Criminal Law Edition of the Manitoba Law Journal to prominence as one of Canada's preeminent criminal law publications. As Dean of Law, Dr. Jochelson provides leadership in academic governance and legal education innovation. His service includes extensive committee work on academic affairs, workload policy, and hiring/tenure committees. His commitment to universal design principles informs both his teaching approach and administrative leadership, emphasizing accessibility and student-centered pedagogy that allows flexible evaluation methods tailored to individual learning preferences.
Darren Dahl is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business , holding the RBC Financial Group Professor of Entrepreneurship chair. His research focuses on new product development , creativity , consumer emotions , social influence , and social marketing . Education: BCom from the University of Alberta, PhD from UBC Leadership: Dean of the Sauder School of Business Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes innovation strategies , consumer identity dynamics , ethical marketing , and social impact . He explores how organizational structures influence perceptions, the role of identity in consumption, and the psychological drivers of prosocial behavior. Contact: Office HA 769, Tel: 604-822-8556, Email: darren.dahl@sauder.ubc.ca
Qingguo Li is a Professor and Associate Head at the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering , Queen's University , and a member of the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute . He specializes in biomechanical system design, energy harvesting, wearable sensors, gait analysis, and load carriage systems. His research integrates robotics, biomedical engineering, and sensor technology to develop human-centric devices and mobility aids. Current Roles : Professor, Associate Head, Queen's University Research Institute : Ingenuity Labs Research Institute Lab : Bio-Mechatronics and Robotics Laboratory His work focuses on biomechanical energy harvesting , IMU-based motion analysis , and assistive device development . Key applications include stroke rehabilitation, gait monitoring, and wearable power generation systems. Articles span cable-driven robots , smart walkers , and 3D printing mechanisms , emphasizing human-robot interaction and dynamic modeling . The lab explores sensor calibration , adaptive control algorithms , and human movement optimization . Areas of impact include rehabilitation engineering , load carriage stability , wearable sensor accuracy , and assistive robotics . His team develops solutions for gait asymmetry detection , post-stroke mobility , and low-cost energy systems , leveraging machine learning and kinetic modeling .
Dr. Ian Stavness is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of computer science, including deep learning in agriculture, biomedical computation, and 3D display technologies. He leads the Biological Imaging & Graphics (BIGLAB) laboratory, which develops tools for plant phenotyping and musculoskeletal modeling. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 M.A.Sc. in Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2006 B.Sc. in Computer Science & B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 2004 Research Interests: Deep Learning for Plant Phenomics & Agriculture 3D Displays and VR/AR Technologies Musculoskeletal Biomechanical Simulation (OpenSim, ArtiSynth) Computer Vision and Image Analysis Awards: ACM CHI 2019 Honourable Mention ACM VRST 2018 Polyphony Digital Award Key Projects: Deep Plant Phenomics Platform Parametric Human Project (Digital Human Modeling) P2IRC (Plant Phenotyping & Imaging Research Center)
Dr. Thomas E. Doyle is an Associate Professor at the McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, human-computer interfacing (HCI), and machine learning applications for healthcare augmentation, rehabilitation, and enhancement. He holds a Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada, and teaches courses like COMPENG 2DI4 (Logic Design). His work bridges cybernetics and clinical applications, emphasizing AI-driven solutions for medical diagnostics, patient monitoring, and space exploration. Education: B.E.Sc, B.Sc, M.E.Sc, Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada Recent Projects: Developed AI systems for remote healthcare diagnostics (2023) Collaborated with NASA on medical emergency simulators for deep space missions (2017–2023) Led ventilator development efforts for local hospitals during the pandemic (2020) His research interests span machine learning for mental health diagnostics, trust quantification in medical AI, and extended reality (XR) for medical training. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating computational methods with healthcare challenges. Recent publications highlight applications in pediatric emergency care, chronic pain management, and reliable medical device design. Dr. Doyle actively engages in educational initiatives, including first-year engineering pedagogy and experiential learning programs. He has received funding for projects such as the Educating the Engineer of 2025 (EtE-25) awards and contributes to initiatives like the Digital & Smart Systems and Health & Bio-innovation research clusters at McMaster.
Dr. Chih-Hung (James) Chen is a Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on noise-related issues in semiconductor devices, low-noise circuit design for medical and communication applications, and thermal noise characterization in nano-scale transistors. He holds senior member status in IEEE and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario. Education: Ph.D., McMaster University, 2002 M.A.Sc., Simon Fraser University, 1997 B.Sc., National Central University, Taiwan, 1991 Research interests include biomedical technologies, microelectronics & VLSI, and digital/smart systems. He has collaborated with companies like Sony Corporation, United Microelectronics Corporation, and Focus Microwaves. His work is supported by grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), NSERC, and the Ontario Innovation Trust (OIT). Notable achievements include serving on the International Advisory Committee of the International Conference on Noise and Fluctuations (2015) and as an editor for the Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications since 2022. Teaching includes courses like Analysis and Design of RF ICs for Communications and Electronic Devices and Circuits 2. His research lab focuses on advancing noise measurement techniques and designing ultra-low-power analog circuits for emerging applications.
Gautam Kamath is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo's Cheriton School of Computer Science, a Faculty Member at the Vector Institute, and a Canada CIFAR AI Chair. He leads The Salon, a research group focused on statistics, algorithms, machine learning, and optimization. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in data privacy and robustness, contributing to both academic research and real-world deployments that impact millions of users. Dr. Kamath earned his PhD and SM degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, where he was advised by Costis Daskalakis. Prior to MIT, he graduated from Cornell University in May 2012 with a degree in Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he worked with Bobby Kleinberg. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical computer science and practical applications. His research focuses on developing solutions for trustworthy and reliable machine learning and statistics, with particular emphasis on data privacy and robustness. He addresses fundamental problems in these areas, revitalizing statistical toolkits for the modern data era where privacy preservation is paramount. His work spans theoretical foundations of differential privacy to practical applications that have been deployed at scale, including contributions to systems that protect the sensitive information of hundreds of millions of individuals. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward addressing the interplay between privacy, robustness, and machine learning performance. His work increasingly examines practical deployment challenges while maintaining theoretical rigor, with growing emphasis on diffusion models, generative AI, and the legal implications of AI systems. There's a clear trajectory from foundational privacy theory toward addressing real-world implementation challenges across diverse application domains. Canada CIFAR AI Chair Ontario Early Researcher Award 2024 Caspar Bowden Award for Outstanding Research in Privacy Enhancing Technologies STOC Best Student Presentation Award ICML 2024 Best Paper Award Microsoft Research Fellow at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing Dr. Kamath actively mentors students, with notable successes including Valentio Iverson winning the Germain-Erdős Undergraduate Award and Chris Trevisan receiving the CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award. His service to the research community is extensive, serving as Editor-in-Chief of TMLR, on the Executive Committee of the Learning Theory Alliance, and on steering committees for major conferences including ICML, COLT, and ALT. He has organized numerous workshops focused on privacy-preserving machine learning and differential privacy. Through The Salon research group, Dr. Kamath fosters a collaborative environment where postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates work together on cutting-edge problems at the intersection of statistics, algorithms, machine learning, and optimization. The group maintains strong connections with industry partners and participates in major research initiatives, including the Vector Institute's privacy and security research efforts. Looking forward, Dr. Kamath will be moving to the Computer Science department at NYU's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences in September 2026, where he plans to expand his research program.
Kajri Jain is a Professor of Indian Visual Culture and Contemporary Art at the University of Toronto . She holds undergraduate appointments in the Department of Visual Studies (UTM) and graduate appointments in the Department of Art (St. George) , with cross-appointments at the Institute for Cinema Studies and the Centre for South Asian Studies . Education: PhD, Art History and Theory, University of Sydney MA, Art History and Theory, University of Sydney PEP, Visual Communication, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad Research Interests: Jain’s work explores how images derive meaning not just from their visual content but from their production, circulation, and material use. Her research spans modern and contemporary Indian visual culture , including bazaar icons, monumental statues, theme parks, and representations of nature in religious and popular contexts. She employs ethnographic methods to examine the intersections of religion, politics, commerce, and aesthetics in postcolonial India. Her teaching and writing critically interrogate the legacies of European Romanticism and secular modernism in art history and visual studies. Publications & Themes: Jain has authored two major monographs— Gods in the Time of Democracy (2021) and Gods in the Bazaar (2007)—and numerous essays on topics such as mass reproduction, political iconography, urban nature, and postcolonial aesthetics. Her articles consistently engage with image theory, postcolonial critique, and the sensory politics of caste and religion in visual culture. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising & Affiliations: While no specific students are named, Jain teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses and is affiliated with multiple research centers at the University of Toronto. Her work bridges departments and disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in South Asian visual studies. Labs & Teams: Jain is associated with the Graduate Department of Art History and the Centre for South Asian Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto.
Mahdi S. Hosseini is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Concordia University and a faculty member of the Applied AI Institute. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (2016) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UofT, supported by MITACS-Elevate and NSERC fellowships. His research focuses on advancing deep learning and computer vision for computational pathology and healthcare technologies, aiming to develop AI tools for clinical diagnosis. He currently supervises graduate students and has published over 30 papers and two patents. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto (2016), postdoctoral training at UofT collaborating with Huron Digital Pathology Inc. (Waterloo, Ontario). Research interests include deep learning, computer vision, computational pathology, medical imaging, and AI ethics (P4AI project). His work emphasizes developing explainable AI systems for clinical pathology, biomarker discovery, and efficient learning algorithms. Professional service includes serving as Area Chair for NeurIPS 2023, CVPR 2023-2024, and ECCV 2024. He reviews grants for CIHR, NSERC, and serves on program committees for key conferences (ICCV, CVPR, NeurIPS). Teaching includes courses on applied AI, machine learning, and deep learning for computational pathology at both graduate and undergraduate levels. Awards: MITACS-Elevate Fellowship (postdoc), NSERC Research Funding (2016-2017). His work has led to patents in diagnostic systems and has collaborated with hospitals and pathologists to advance clinical applications. Labs/Teams: Active collaborations with the Applied AI Institute at Concordia, Huron Digital Pathology, and healthcare institutions. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches between computer science and clinical medicine.
M. Omair Ahmad is a Professor and Tier I Concordia Research Chair in Multimedia Signal Processing at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University. He has held leadership roles, including Chair of his department from June 2002 to May 2005, and active involvement in IEEE committees. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Concordia University (1978) B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering, Sir George Williams University (Montreal, QC, Canada) Dr. Ahmad's research spans diverse areas of signal processing, including speech, image, and video processing, biomedical imaging, computer vision, and VLSI signal processing. His work addresses both theoretical and applied challenges in these domains, with applications in communication systems, object detection, and biometrics. Dr. Ahmad has contributed extensively to academia through leadership roles in conferences and editorial work. He served as an Associate Editor for the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS PART I and held chairs in IEEE symposia, including the Local Arrangements Chairman for the 1984 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems. Scientific Awards and Honors: Wighton Fellowship from the Sandford Fleming Foundation Induction to Provosts Circle of Distinction for Career Achievements Award of Excellence in Doctoral Supervision IEEE Fellow
Mustafa Gül is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering. He also serves as Director of Internationalization at the Faculty of Engineering’s Deans Office. His research focuses on smart, sustainable, and resilient cities, with an emphasis on infrastructure monitoring and energy-efficient systems. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Central Florida, 2009), MSc in Electrical Engineering (University of Central Florida, 2011), MSc in Civil Engineering (Boğaziçi University, 2004), BSc in Civil Engineering (Boğaziçi University, 2002). Dr. Gül’s research spans two primary domains: Crowdsensing-based Monitoring of Built and Natural Environments (CoMBiNE) using AI, signal processing, and data analytics for infrastructure health; and Energy-Efficient Smart Cities through solar PV integration, IoT applications, and net-zero energy homes. His work bridges structural engineering, machine learning, and sustainable urban development. Recent publications highlight advancements in smartphone-based damage detection, UAV-assisted disaster assessment, and AI-driven energy systems. His team’s work on crowdsensing bridges, solar PV optimization, and smartphone analytics has been widely recognized in journals like Structural Control and Health Monitoring and Energy and AI . Notably, his 2017 paper earned the Best Paper Award at ISARC. Students supervised include Azim, R. , Keskin, M. , and Do, N. T. , among others. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award, 34th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2017) Dr. Gül’s projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging sensor networks, computer vision, and optimization algorithms to address urban resilience and energy sustainability. His leadership extends to course CIV E 779 and ongoing research initiatives in Alberta, Canada.
Mahmoud El-Sakka is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Western Ontario since 1999. Previously, he was a faculty member at the University of Waterloo (1997–1999). He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Alexandria University (Egypt) and a Ph.D. in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on medical imaging, image processing, and computer-aided diagnostics. He has served as Chair of the graduate program (2002–2007) and undergraduate program (2017–present) in Computer Science at Western Ontario. El-Sakka is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario. His work spans grants from NSERC, internal university funding, and industry collaborations. Major research areas include image compression, segmentation, and medical applications like vascular analysis and echocardiography. He has led over 20 funded projects since 1999, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches in healthcare technology. Academic contributions include advisory roles in summer programs, thesis evaluations, and conference participation. His service includes roles as Pro-Chancellor at convocations and involvement in equipment purchasing committees. Collaborations include consulting with NCR Canada and VRP Web Technology.
