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Sharan Vaswani is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His research focuses on designing algorithms for sequential decision-making under uncertainty, stochastic optimization, and their interplay with machine learning generalization. He holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia (2019) and postdoctoral experiences at the University of Alberta and Mila. His academic journey includes MSc (UBC, 2015) and BTech (BITS Pilani, 2012) degrees. Education: PhD (UBC, 2019), MSc (UBC, 2015), BTech (BITS Pilani, 2012) Postdoctoral Work: University of Alberta (2020-2021), Mila (2019-2020) Teaching includes courses on Probability and Computing (CMPT 210), Optimization for Machine Learning (CMPT 409/981), and Theoretical Foundations of Reinforcement Learning (CMPT 419/983). His research group focuses on developing scalable optimization algorithms with theoretical guarantees. He advises multiple PhD and MSc students, contributing to areas like constrained MDPs, adaptive learning rates, and reinforcement learning theory. Research Highlights: Contributions to bandit algorithms, stochastic gradient methods, and reinforcement learning theory. Notable work includes global convergence analysis of policy gradients and variance-reduced optimization frameworks.

• Reinforcement Learning
• Optimization
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Stephen A. Vavasis is a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo, part of the Faculty of Mathematics. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University (1989) and has held academic positions at Cornell University (1989–2006) before joining Waterloo. His research focuses on continuous optimization, data science, first-order methods, scientific computing, and computational mechanics. Current teaching includes courses on convex optimization and portfolio optimization methods. He has served as Associate Dean of Computing (2017–2020) and Interim Director of Data Science graduate programs. His work is supported by NSERC grants. Notable awards include the Hertz Fellowship, Churchill Scholarship, and Guggenheim Fellowship. Vavasis's research emphasizes applications of optimization to clustering, machine learning, and fracture mechanics. His publications span convex optimization frameworks, algorithmic analysis of gradient methods, and numerical methods in mechanics. Recent work explores unifying analyses of first-order optimization algorithms and robust optimization techniques for high-dimensional data problems.

• Continuous Optimization
• Data Science
• First-Order Methods
• +4 more

Dr. Terje Haukaas is a Professor of Structural & Earthquake Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science. He holds a PhD and Master's from UC Berkeley (2003, 1999) and a bachelor's from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1996). His research focuses on probabilistic modeling, structural reliability, and earthquake engineering, with contributions to software development (e.g., FERUM, OpenSees). He teaches courses like Structural Analysis, Nonlinear Analysis, and Reliability & Safety. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2003 Master's in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1999 Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, 1996 Engineering Degree (Stavanger University College, 1994) and Technician Degree (Stavanger Technical College, 1992) Research Interests: Probabilistic mechanics and reliability analysis Seismic vulnerability and risk assessment Software tools for finite element analysis (FERUM, OpenSees) Timber engineering and structural optimization Awards & Recognition: UBC Killam Teaching Prize (2016) President of CERRA (2015–2019) Keynote/Semi-plenary speaker at major conferences (ICASP12, COMPDYN 2017) Student Appreciation Awards (Top Professor rankings) Grants & Labs: Recipient of grants supporting seismic risk research Developed computational frameworks for structural analysis

• Structural Reliability
• Earthquake Engineering
• Probabilistic Mechanics
• +3 more

Grant Weddell is an Associate Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on database technology for real-time applications, including large-scale schema management, information clustering, dependency theory, and query optimization for heterogeneous data sources. He teaches courses such as CS338 (Introductory Databases), CS348 (Advanced Databases), CS446 (Software Engineering), and CS848 (Advanced Database Systems). His research interests emphasize the interplay between description logics and database systems, particularly in optimizing query processing and managing complex schemas. Recent work explores path agreements, functional dependencies, and ontology-mediated querying to enhance data integration and schema management efficiency. Teaching responsibilities include foundational database courses (CS338/348), software engineering (CS446), and advanced topics in information integration (CS848). No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his contributions to database theory and optimization are extensive.

• Database Technology
• Real-Time Applications
• Schema Management
• +5 more

Anthony Quas is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Victoria, Canada. He holds a PhD from the University of Warwick and has held academic positions at institutions including the University of Memphis and King's College, Cambridge. His research focuses on ergodic theory and dynamical systems, with contributions to multiplicative ergodic theory, Lyapunov exponents, and symbolic dynamics. Education: B.A. in Mathematics (First Class), Cambridge University (1986–1989) Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics (Distinction), Cambridge University (1989–1990) PhD in Mathematics, University of Warwick (1990–1994) Research Interests: Ergodic theory and its connections to stochastic processes Lyapunov exponents and operator cocycles Symbolic dynamics and shift spaces Applications to percolation theory and information theory Publications and Grants: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles, including work on multiplicative ergodic theorems and metastable systems Recipient of NSERC and NSF grants, and former Canada Research Chair (2005–2014) Editor for Dynamical Systems: An International Journal Awards and Recognition: Tyson Medal (1990) Cambridge Smith Prize (1992) Organizer of international workshops and conferences (e.g., Banff International Research Station) Teaching and Service: Supervised multiple PhD and Master’s students Contributed to outreach initiatives like Pi in the Sky magazine Served on NSERC Grant Selection Committees and editorial boards

• Ergodic Theory
• Dynamical Systems
• Symbolic Dynamics
• +7 more

Li Chen is Associate Professor of History and Global Asia Studies in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies (UTSC) at the University of Toronto, with cross-appointments to the Graduate Department of History and the Faculty of Law. He served as Chair of the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies (2016–2019) and as President of the International Society for Chinese Law and History (2014–2017). His scholarship focuses on late-imperial and modern Chinese legal history, Sino-Western relations, and comparative legal cultures. Education J.D., University of Illinois, magna cum laude Ph.D., Chinese History, Columbia University Research Interests Chen’s work interrogates the intersection of law, empire, and culture in China from the 15th to the 20th centuries. He explores how legal knowledge was produced and circulated among private specialists in the Qing juridical field, how international law shaped Sino-Western encounters, and how colonial discourses constructed images of Chinese law and sovereignty. His current SSHRC-funded monograph, Invisible Power and Technocratic Governance , offers the first comprehensive study of Confucian-literati-turned-legal-advisors who quietly administered Qing local justice. Publications & Impact Chen’s 2016 monograph Chinese Law in Imperial Eyes received the Joseph Levenson Book Prize (pre-1900 China) and honorable mention for the Peter Gonville Stein Book Award. His articles in Law & History Review , Journal of the History of International Law , and Late Imperial China have been translated into Chinese and Korean, influencing scholarship across East Asia and North America. Awards & Honors Joseph Levenson Book Prize, Association for Asian Studies (2018) Peter Gonville Stein Book Award – Honorable Mention, American Society for Legal History (2017) Law and Society Association Article Prize – Honorable Mention (2011) Grants & Projects He is principal investigator on a multi-year SSHRC Insight Grant supporting archival research in China, Taiwan, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France for his forthcoming book on Qing legal specialists and their role in shaping imperial governance and legal culture.

• Late Imperial and Modern China
• International Law
• East Asian Legal Cultures
• +4 more

Arian Novruzi is a Full Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Science. His expertise lies in partial differential equations (PDEs), shape optimization, numerical analysis, and mathematical modeling. He holds an MSc from the University of Tirana and a PhD from the University of Nancy. His research integrates theoretical and applied mathematics, with a focus on fluid dynamics, biomedical applications, and engineering challenges. Education: MSc in Mathematics, University of Tirana PhD in Mathematics, University of Nancy Dr. Novruzi’s research interests include the analysis and numerical solutions of PDEs, optimization of geometric shapes for engineering systems, and modeling of complex physical phenomena such as blood flow and tumor radiation therapy. His work bridges pure mathematics with practical applications, addressing problems in fluid mechanics, materials science, and biomedical engineering. His recent publications highlight advancements in non-diffusive neural network methods for hyperbolic conservation laws, blood flow modeling using Navier-Stokes equations, and the optimization of convex domains for energy maximization. These studies emphasize both theoretical rigor and computational innovation. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Dr. Novruzi has supervised students such as Terence C. Ngouoko. His grants and collaborations are not detailed here, but his research has implications for energy-efficient engineering designs and medical treatments. He has authored a Springer textbook on PDEs, reflecting his commitment to educational resources in mathematical sciences.

• Partial Differential Equations
• Shape Optimization
• Numerical Analysis
• +3 more

Liam Midzain-Gobin serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Brock University. A settler scholar who completed his PhD at McMaster University in 2020, he has rapidly established himself as a significant voice in critical Indigenous and settler colonial studies. His academic journey includes an M.A. from the University of Ottawa (2015) and a B.Soc.Sci. from the same institution (2012). Dr. Midzain-Gobin's research centers on how settler colonialism persists in contemporary political structures and how Indigenous peoples revitalize governance practices to challenge colonial sovereignty. His work examines the 'logic of improvement' as a constitutive element of international order, exploring how cosmological assumptions about human dominion over the earth underpin settler sovereignty. Employing community-engaged methodologies, he collaborates directly with Indigenous communities through two major research projects: 'Building Inter-National Sovereignty: The Case of the Big Salmon River' (funded by SSHRC) and 'Indigenous Visions for Making Home in Niagara' (funded by the Niagara Community Foundation). His scholarly output reveals a consistent focus across Indigenous politics, settler colonial theory, and decolonial international thought. The 15 most recent publications demonstrate his engagement with critical questions of sovereignty, Indigenous governance, and resistance across multiple disciplinary contexts including political science, international relations, security studies, and Indigenous studies. His work frequently addresses the material and epistemic dimensions of settler colonialism while highlighting Indigenous strategies of resurgence and self-determination. Among his professional activities, Dr. Midzain-Gobin serves as Associate Editor for Critical Studies on Security and is co-editing the 'Handbook of Critical Understandings of Canada in the World' with colleagues Heather A. Smith, David Black, and David J. Hornsby. His commitment to community engagement extends beyond research into teaching practice, where he emphasizes critical approaches to Indigenous-settler relations. In the classroom, he teaches foundational and specialized courses including Introduction to International Relations, Research Design and Methods, Canadian Political Thought, Indigenous Politics in Canada, Global Indigenous Politics, and Indigenous-Settler Relations. His pedagogical approach reflects his scholarly commitment to decolonizing knowledge production and fostering critical engagement with Indigenous governance and sovereignty questions.

• Indigenous politics
• Settler colonialism
• Coloniality
• +5 more

Narayanaswamy Balakrishnan is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at McMaster University, Canada. His research focuses on probabilistic and statistical models with applications in science, engineering, and medicine. Key areas include reliability analysis, statistical inference, high-dimensional data analysis, and actuarial science. He has authored/co-authored over 60 books and numerous research papers, contributing significantly to fields like order statistics, censored data analysis, and survival analysis. Notable works include Hybrid Censoring: Models, Methods and Applications (2023) and A First Course in Order Statistics (2008). His research has been recognized with prestigious honors, including election to the Royal Society of Canada in 2023. Dr. Balakrishnan mentors graduate students in statistics and has collaborated widely, with contributions to statistical methodologies in engineering, medical studies, and industrial problems. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical applications, emphasizing robust statistical techniques and innovative data analysis approaches.

• Actuarial science and mathematical finance
• Biostatistical methods
• High dimensional data analysis
• +6 more

Carl-Éric Aubin is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Surgery at Université de Montréal, and a Researcher at CHU Sainte-Justine. He serves as the Executive and Scientific Director of the TransMedTech Institute , having secured $35.6 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund and $60 million in partner contributions. Research Interests : Biomechanics, Spine Modeling, Orthopedic Treatments, Finite Element Methods, Rehabilitation Engineering Grants : NSERC, CIHR, CFI, FRQS, Apogee Canada His 15 most recent articles focus on biomechanical modeling for scoliosis correction, rod contouring in spinal surgery, sacroiliac joint fixation, and growth modulation techniques. Topics include finite element analysis, 3D correction strategies, patient-specific simulations, and surgical load optimization. Scientific Awards : Officer of the Order of Canada (2021), Knight of the Order of Montreal (2023), Honorary Doctorate (Aix-Marseille, 2018), Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2020), Prix Innovation (CHU Sainte-Justine, 2017) He has trained over 100 Master's and PhD students , many of whom hold leadership roles globally. His work integrates TransMedTech Institute as a hub for medical technology innovation, combining engineering with clinical applications.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomechanics
• Spine Biomechanics
• +3 more

Andrej Bogdanov is a Professor at the University of Ottawa in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science . He earned his B.S. and M.Eng. from MIT and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley . Before joining Ottawa, he held positions at the Chinese University of Hong Kong , ITCS (Tsinghua) , DIMACS (Rutgers) , and the Institute for Advanced Study . He has served as a Visiting Professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (2013) and the Simons Institute (2017, 2021). Research Interests : Computational complexity, cryptography foundations, pseudorandomness, one-way functions, property testing, quantum algorithms, and sublinear-time algorithms. Teaching : Courses on Discrete Mathematics, Great Algorithms, Computational Complexity, and Cryptography at University of Ottawa, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Rutgers University. Publications : 15+ recent works in TCC , CRYPTO , ICALP , RANDOM , and journals like Journal of Cryptology and Theory of Computing . Service : Program co-chair for SAC 2026 , and committee member for major conferences including CRYPTO , TCC , Eurocrypt , and FOCS . Advising : 12 current and former Ph.D./M.Phil. students, with postdoctoral advisees at institutions like IIT Palakkad and Academia Sinica . His work bridges theoretical computer science with applications in cryptography, quantum computing, and network security.

• Cryptography
• Computational Complexity
• Pseudorandomness
• +6 more

Emily Elfner is Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University, specializing in phonological interfaces. Education includes: PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst MA, University of Calgary BA, University of Calgary Research investigates prosodic structures in endangered languages, particularly Kwak'wala phonology and Irish syntax-prosody interactions. SSHRC-funded fieldwork documents Kwak'wala intonation patterns. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on prosodic systems across diverse languages including Breton, Irish, Inuktitut, and Tlingit. Recent works examine word-order constraints, morphological-prosodic mappings, and recursive phonological structures.

• Linguistics
• Phonology
• Phonetics
• +2 more

Michael Friedlander is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Computer Science and Mathematics. He serves as Director of the UBC Institute of Applied Mathematics and is a Sauder School Distinguished Scholar. His research focuses on optimization theory, algorithms, and applications, particularly in convex optimization, first-order methods, and machine learning. Friedlander is a SIAM Fellow (2024) and has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2013 UBC CS Teaching Award. Education: PhD (2002) in Operations Research from Stanford University; BA (1993) in Physics from Cornell University. Research Interests: Friedlander’s work spans computational optimization, including first-order methods, gauge duality, federated learning, and applications in signal processing and quantum computing. His contributions include SPGL1, a widely used convex optimization solver, and foundational work on atomic decomposition and polar alignment in structured optimization. Key Contributions: His research bridges optimization with practical applications, such as compressed sensing and data science. Notable areas include dual methods for federated learning, low-rank spectral optimization, and algorithms for sparse recovery. He has advised numerous PhD students, including work on topics like gauge duality and federated learning contribution valuation. Awards & Honors: SIAM Fellow (2024) 2013 UBC CS Department Teaching Award CACS Outstanding Young Researcher Prize AI & Statistics 2009 Best Paper Award Advising & Grants: Supervised over 20 graduate students and postdocs. Active in grant-funded research, including projects on optimization algorithms and their industrial applications. Collaborates with institutions like Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) and the Data Science Institute at UBC. Labs & Affiliations: Affiliated with the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), Data Science Institute, and Quantum Computing Research Cluster at UBC. Leads interdisciplinary efforts in applied mathematics and computational science.

• Convex Optimization
• Machine Learning
• First-Order Methods
• +3 more

Dr. Fletcher Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Technology at the Faculty of Business and Information Technology, Ontario Tech University. His academic journey includes a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (specializing in Machine Learning) and a Master of Mathematics in Scientific Computation, both from the University of Waterloo. He also holds a Bachelor of Math in Computer Science from the same institution. His postdoctoral research at the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CIAC) focused on insurance fraud detection. His education includes: PhD in Artificial Intelligence, University of Waterloo Master of Mathematics in Scientific Computation, University of Waterloo Bachelor of Math in Computer Science, University of Waterloo Dr. Lu’s research interests span health informatics, fraud detection (including cybercrime and insurance fraud), and the application of machine learning and numerical analysis to business and health challenges. He has developed mobile technology applications to improve youth fitness and pioneered adaptive fraud pattern analysis in health insurance data. His work intersects with cybersecurity, data analytics, and gaming, emphasizing real-world collaborations with organizations such as Manulife Financial, the Canadian Department of National Defence, and Medavie Blue Cross. His recent publications highlight trends in supply chain resilience, optimization methodologies, and disruption risk analysis. These include studies on EV infrastructure planning, stochastic distribution networks, and Benders decomposition strategies for reliable systems design. Dr. Lu has received significant awards, including: First place at CORS 2014 Practice Prize Third place at INFORMS 2013 interactive poster sessions His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Ontario Partnership for Innovation and Commercialization, and NSERC. He is affiliated with the Business Analytics & AI Research Group, contributing to decision-making systems and data-driven solutions for business and health sectors.

• Health Informatics
• Fraud Detection
• Cybersecurity
• +6 more

Argyrios Margaritis is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Western University. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Research Interests: His work spans biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, biofuels (ethanol, butanol, hydrogen), biopolymer nanoparticles for drug delivery, and environmental biotechnology. Key areas include: Design of fluidized bioreactors for fermentation and wastewater treatment Supercritical CO 2 extraction of pharmaceuticals Biosorption of heavy metals Nanoparticle-based controlled release systems Awards & Distinctions: Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering Fellow, Engineers Canada Research & Development Medal, Professional Engineers Ontario Officer Order of Honour, Professional Engineers Ontario Academic Leadership: Co-founded Western University's Masters in Environment and Sustainability (MES) program, the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, and Canada's first CEAB-accredited Chemical and Biochemical Engineering program. He has supervised 83+ graduate students and currently mentors 8 advisees. Facilities: Manages laboratories with 150L/25L bioreactors, chromatography systems (HPLC, GC), and nanoparticle characterization tools (SEM, TEM, DSC).

• Biochemical Engineering
• Bioprocessing
• Biofuels
• +7 more