Find Academic Supervisors

Sheila McIlraithView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• AI Safety
• AI Alignment
• +9 more

Sheila McIlraith is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, holding the Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute and serving as Associate Director and Research Lead at the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society. Her research spans AI safety, ethics, reinforcement learning, and knowledge representation, with a focus on human-compatible AI and long-term societal impacts. Her career includes six years as a Research Scientist at Stanford University and a year at Xerox PARC. McIlraith’s work has been recognized through ACM and AAAI fellowships, as well as prestigious awards like the SWSA 10-Year Award (2011) and the CAIAC Lifetime Achievement Award (2024). Research Interests: AI Safety and Alignment Human-Compatible AI Reinforcement Learning with Ethical Constraints Semantic Web Services Cognitive Robotics and Diagnostic Systems Probabilistic and Logical Reasoning Recent Contributions: Her work emphasizes ethical AI integration, such as the Embedded Ethics Education Initiative (E3I), and addresses challenges in long-term AI risks, multi-agent systems, and interpretable decision-making frameworks. Awards and Honors: ACM Fellow AAAI Fellow 2023 IJCAI-JAIR Best Paper Prize 2024 CAIAC Lifetime Achievement Award Labs and Teams: McIlraith leads initiatives at the Schwartz Reisman Institute and contributes to the Vector Institute, focusing on societal and ethical dimensions of AI technology.

Freda ShiView profile

Assistant Professor

• computational linguistics
• natural language processing
• computational multilingualism
• +5 more

Freda Shi is an Assistant Professor at the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo and a Faculty Member at the Vector Institute, where she holds a Canada CIFAR AI Chair. She joined the University of Waterloo in July 2024 after completing her Ph.D. at the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago. Educational Background: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (2024), advised by Professors Karen Livescu and Kevin Gimpel Bachelor's degree in Intelligence Science and Technology (Computer Science Track) with a minor in Sociology, Peking University (2018) Dr. Shi's research focuses on computational linguistics and natural language processing, particularly on deeper understandings of natural language and the human language processing mechanism. She is especially interested in learning language through grounding, computational multilingualism, and related machine learning aspects. Her work aims to inform the design of more efficient, effective, safe, and trustworthy NLP systems. She leads the CompLING Lab at the University of Waterloo, which investigates how language models process spatial relationships and acquire linguistic structures through grounded experiences. Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with recent work focusing on spatial reasoning in vision-language models, multilingual chain-of-thought capabilities, and grounded language acquisition. She has published in top-tier conferences including ACL, EMNLP, ICLR, and NAACL, with several papers receiving notable recognition including Best Paper Nominee status at multiple venues. Her research bridges theoretical linguistics with practical NLP applications, demonstrating how linguistic insights can improve AI systems. Scientific Recognition: Canada CIFAR AI Chair (2024) Google Ph.D. Fellowship Thesis of Distinction for her doctoral work Multiple Best Paper Nominee awards at major NLP conferences Dr. Shi teaches CS 784: Computational Linguistics and CS 486/686: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence at the University of Waterloo. She actively contributes to the NLP research community through conference participation, program committee service, and collaborative projects. Her research has significant implications for creating more robust, human-like language understanding systems and advancing the field of grounded language learning in artificial intelligence.

Enamul Hoque PrinceView profile

Associate Professor

• Information Visualization and Visual Analytics
• Natural Language Processing
• Human-Computer Interaction

Enamul Hoque Prince is an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Information Technology at York University. He leads the Intelligent Visualization Lab, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Ontario Research Funds (ORF). He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University. His research integrates information visualization, human-computer interaction (HCI), and natural language processing (NLP) to address information overload challenges. Dr. Prince's educational background includes a PhD from UBC, an MSc from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a BSc from Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology. He has conducted research at institutions like Tableau Software and the Qatar Computing Research Institute and serves on committees for top conferences like ACL and IEEE Vis. His work is supported by grants from NSERC, CFI, and others. Research interests focus on NLP-driven visual analytics, user-adaptive visualization, and accessible interfaces. Notable projects include Evizeon (natural language interfaces for visual analytics), ConVisIT (topic modeling for online conversations), and CIDER (concept-based image search). Publications highlight trends in multimodal systems, chart comprehension, and accessibility. Key awards include the NSERC Discovery Grant (2019) and a Best Paper Honorable Mention at DIS 2021. He supervises graduate and undergraduate students in areas like visualization, NLP, and HCI. Labs and collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, with the Intelligent Visualization Lab advancing tools for data exploration and user-centered design. Teaching includes courses on design principles and information visualization.

Peter SelingerView profile

Professor

• Quantum Computing
• Category Theory
• Mathematical Logic
• +4 more

Peter Selinger is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Dalhousie University , with a cross-appointment in Computer Science. He specializes in mathematical methods in computer science, particularly quantum computing and combinatorial game theory . His work on quantum programming languages like Quipper and foundational research in category theory has garnered international recognition. Education : Ph.D. in Mathematics (University of Pennsylvania, 1997), undergraduate studies in Mathematics (Technische Universität Darmstadt). Research Interests span quantum computing, category theory, and combinatorial game theory. He has pioneered formalisms for quantum programming languages, developed categorical models for quantum mechanics, and analyzed game-theoretic structures in games like Hex. His recent work includes linear dependent type theory , quantum circuit synthesis , and combinatorial game classification . Publications demonstrate expertise in quantum programming languages, categorical semantics, and game theory. Key trends include Hamiltonian simulation , Clifford+T circuits , and monotone game realization . Scientific Honors include the Killam Professorship (2017–2022), Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Teaching (2023), and fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and German National Scholarship Foundation . Students he has supervised include PhD graduates Xiaoning Bian , Francisco Rios , and Neil J. Ross , along with MSc students like Fahimeh Bayeh and Seth Greylyn . He has advised 16 postdoctoral researchers.

Kuldeep S. MeelView profile

Associate Professor

• Automated Reasoning
• Formal Methods
• Artificial Intelligence
• +6 more

Kuldeep S. Meel is the Stephen Fleming Early-Career Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto (on leave). He previously held a NUS Presidential Young Professorship at the National University of Singapore. His research focuses on automated reasoning, aiming to enable computing systems to handle uncertain real-world environments through scalable techniques integrating randomized algorithms, statistical inference, formal methods, distribution testing, and software engineering. Core research areas: Automated Reasoning, Formal Methods, Approximate Model Counting, Probabilistic Inference, Constraint Solving His research group has achieved significant recognition in both individual awards and publications. Key trends in his recent work include advancing model counting algorithms, developing frameworks for probabilistic explanations, and improving scalability in formal verification and constraint satisfaction. His tools have consistently ranked top in international competitions, demonstrating practical impact in automated reasoning. 2019 NRF Fellowship for AI 2022 ACP Early Career Researcher Award 2020 IEEE Intelligent Systems AI's 10 to Watch Top placements in Model Counting, SAT, and CAV competitions He mentors a diverse group of PhD and Master's students and collaborates with institutions worldwide. His group's publications span premier conferences in AI, formal methods, and design automation, reflecting interdisciplinary contributions to theoretical and applied computer science.

• Combinatorial Game Theory
• Graph Theory
• Computer Science Education
• +6 more

Dr. Angela Siegel is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, Academic Outreach in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. She is actively involved in both academic leadership and research. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics (Combinatorial Game Theory), Dalhousie University, 2011 M.Sc. in Mathematics, Dalhousie University, 2005 B.Sc. in Mathematics & Marine Geophysics, 1997 Her research focuses on combinatorial game theory, graph theory, discrete mathematics, and number theory, with a strong emphasis on computer science education and inclusive teaching . She investigates the challenges students face when transitioning into computer science programs, aiming to improve pedagogical approaches and support systems. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics and practical educational innovation. The recent publications highlight a dual focus: theoretical contributions to combinatorial games (e.g., partizan games, placement games, geography variants) and applied research in computing education, particularly student transition and inclusive practices. Her interdisciplinary work spans mathematics, computer science, and educational theory. Scientific Awards: Dr. Siegel has supervised and collaborated with students and researchers on topics including student transition into higher education computing, LEGO-based pedagogy, and workplace readiness. While no specific grants are listed, her repeated presentations and publications suggest active research funding and scholarly engagement. She has contributed to major conference proceedings and book volumes such as Games of No Chance . She is associated with research teams focused on combinatorial games and computer science education innovation, often collaborating with scholars like Richard Nowakowski, Neil McKay, and Mark Zarb. Her work in inclusive teaching and student support reflects a commitment to building accessible and equitable learning environments in computing.

Shai Ben-DavidView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning Theory
• Unsupervised Learning and Clustering
• Domain Adaptation and Transfer Learning
• +3 more

Shai Ben-David is a Professor and University Research Chair at the Department of Computer Science, University of Waterloo. He is affiliated with the Cheriton School of Computer Science and can be reached at shai@uwaterloo.ca . His office is located in DC 2643. Education: Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (1987) M.Sc., Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel (1979) B.Sc., Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel (1978) Research interests focus on foundational aspects of machine learning theory, including unsupervised learning (clustering), domain adaptation, fairness, interpretability, and alternative approaches to worst-case computational complexity. He also explores logic applications in computer science theory. His research trends emphasize theoretical challenges in machine learning, particularly clustering, fairness in representations, and the interplay between computational feasibility and learnability. He investigates how unlabeled data and sample compression techniques impact learning robustness and efficiency. No scientific awards are listed. His advising record shows no formal advisees listed here. Grants and funding details are not provided in the text. He has contributed to organizing events like the Dagstuhl Seminar on Foundations of Unsupervised Learning (2017) and co-edited MFCS 2016 proceedings. His work addresses both theoretical questions and practical gaps in ML implementation.

Manoj SachdevView profile

Professor

• Semiconductor Devices
• Low-Power Electronics
• VLSI Design
• +7 more

Manoj Sachdev is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on semiconductor devices, low-power electronics, and secure hardware systems. He leads projects in flexible electronics, nanotechnology, and radiation-hardened circuits, with applications in displays, memory technologies, and biomedical sensors. His work integrates advanced materials science with circuit design to address challenges in energy efficiency and security. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided text. Research interests span thin-film transistors (TFTs), resistive switching memories, neuromorphic computing, and physically unclonable functions (PUFs). Recent efforts include developing low-power circuits for flexible substrates and secure microprocessors. His contributions to semiconductor device physics and integration techniques have advanced applications in wearable electronics and medical diagnostics. Publications highlight innovations in low-power flip-flops, energy-efficient display drivers, and memristor-based systems. He collaborates on interdisciplinary projects combining photonics, nanoelectronics, and biomedical engineering. Awards: None explicitly listed in provided text. Grants and advising: Advises on semiconductor fabrication, secure hardware design, and radiation effects in electronics. Leads research groups focused on next-generation memory technologies and flexible integrated systems. Labs/Teams: Active in the University of Waterloo's semiconductor and flexible electronics research clusters, contributing to both academic and industry partnerships.

• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• +6 more

Chris J. Maddison is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, holding joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Statistical Sciences. He is also a CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute and a member of the ELLIS Society. Maddison earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford and previously worked as a Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and a member at the Institute for Advanced Study. His research focuses on advancing machine learning methodologies, particularly in leveraging data’s natural structure for efficient learning, with applications in drug discovery, causal inference, and AI safety. Education: DPhil in Computer Science, University of Oxford His research interests span machine learning, AI safety, reinforcement learning, and the integration of logical reasoning into large language models. Maddison has contributed to foundational work on gradient estimation techniques and was a key member of the AlphaGo project. He actively explores how statistical structures in real-world data influence AI capabilities. Recent publications emphasize evaluating conversational agents, mitigating AI safety risks, and enhancing logical reasoning in LLMs. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, such as code generation and multi-agent systems. Awards: NeurIPS Best Paper Award (2014), Open Philanthropy AI Fellowship Maddison advises multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering collaborations across academia and industry. His former advisees now hold roles at institutions like OpenAI, Stanford, and Magic AI. He teaches advanced courses in machine learning and statistical methods, including CSC 2541 (Large Models) and STA 314 (Machine Learning). Maddison is affiliated with the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, extending his impact to societal implications of AI. His lab’s interdisciplinary approach combines algorithmic innovation with real-world problem-solving.

• Data Integration
• Data Management
• Data Preparation
• +5 more

Renée J. Miller is a Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Data Intelligence at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on data integration, data management, and open data systems. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Cognitive Science from MIT. Her work addresses challenges in data preparation, integration, and curation, aiming to reduce the burden on data scientists. She co-authored foundational papers on data exchange and schema mapping, earning the ICDT Test-of-Time Award (2013) and the Alonzo Church Award (2020). Miller has led major initiatives like the NSERC Business Intelligence Network and the International Very Large Data Base Foundation. Her grants include NSERC Accelerator Awards and funding from IBM, SAP, and Microsoft. Notable students include Ariel Fuxman (SIGMOD Dissertation Award winner) and Oktie Hassanzadeh (IBM PhD Fellow). Her research group, the Miller Lab, develops tools like Clio for schema mapping and systems for data lake exploration (RONIN, JOSIE).

Qingguo LiView profile

Professor

• Biomechanical system design
• Energy harvesting
• Wearable sensors
• +4 more

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 .

Caroline LemieuxView profile

Assistant Professor

• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Fuzz Testing
• +6 more

Caroline Lemieux is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia (UBC), with research focused on advancing software correctness, security, and performance through innovative testing and synthesis techniques. Her work bridges Programming Languages and Software Engineering , particularly in fuzz testing, specification mining, and program synthesis. PhD from University of California, Berkeley (2021), advised by Koushik Sen Postdoctoral researcher at Microsoft Research, NYC (2021-2022) Key contributions: FuzzFactory , CodaMOSA , Arvada , and Gauss Her research integrates machine learning with traditional testing methods, exemplified by projects like RLCheck (reinforcement learning for test generation) and AutoPandas (neural synthesis for dataframes). Recent publications analyze generator-based fuzzing challenges and propose hybrid strategies combining coverage feedback with AI-driven insights. Scientific Awards : ACM/SIGSOFT Best Paper Award (ESEC/FSE 2019) ACM/SIGSOFT Tool Demonstration Award (ISSTA 2019) ACM/SIGSOFT Distinguished Artifact Award (ISSTA 2019) NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship-Doctoral (PGS D) UBC Governor General's Silver Medal (2016) Teaching roles include: 2025W2: CPSC 539L - Topics in Programming Languages 2024W2: CPSC 410 - Advanced Software Engineering 2023W2: CPSC 410 (with Alex Summers) She supervises graduate and undergraduate researchers working on projects like ExploTest (automated unit test generation) and GRIMOIRE (grammar extraction from pseudo-rules). Her research team collaborates with institutions including Microsoft Research, Google, and academic partners in systems security and AI-driven testing.

Jelle HellingsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Resilient Systems
• High-Performance Data Management
• Database Theory
• +10 more

Jelle Hellings is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing and Software at McMaster University , Canada. His research focuses on high-performance large-scale data management systems with a strong theoretical and algorithmic component, including resilient systems (blockchains) , graph databases , and external-memory algorithms . He previously worked as a Postdoc Scholar at the University of California, Davis and earned his PhD from Hasselt University in Belgium. Education: Doctor of Sciences in Computer Science (2018), Hasselt University Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (2011), Eindhoven University of Technology His research interests include scalable resilient systems with Byzantine fault tolerance, database theory, graph query languages, constraints on graph data, and external-memory algorithms for large graph datasets. He has authored numerous high-impact publications on blockchain-based resilient systems, query optimization in graph databases, and theoretical advancements in relation algebra expressiveness. Hellings actively contributes to academic service through program committee memberships and tutorial organization, and he currently teaches courses on future resilient databases and foundational computer science topics.

• Large-Scale Data Management
• Data Systems
• Big Data Analysis
• +5 more

Nick Koudas is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, specializing in large-scale data management, data systems, and applied machine learning. His research integrates machine learning techniques into scalable data platforms to enhance the analysis of massive datasets. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, an MSc from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Patras. Education: PhD, University of Toronto MSc, University of Maryland at College Park Bachelor's degree, University of Patras, Greece Research Interests: Relational Deep Dive (ReDD): Natural language query execution over unstructured documents Streaming Video Queries (SVQ): Interactive query processing for video streams Reliable Text-to-SQL: Generating accurate SQL queries with human-in-the-loop assistance Machine Learning Integration in Data Systems Publications: Focus on video analytics, query processing, and reliable natural language interfaces. Notable works include optimizing video queries, declarative frameworks for temporal constraints, and abstention-based SQL generation. Awards: Inventor of the Year (1st Prize), University of Toronto (2011) Best Paper Awards at international conferences Entrepreneurship & Advising: Co-founder of Sysomos (Meltwater Group), Aislelabs (Constellation Software), and Workorb Advisor to mapintent and ktau Labs & Teams: Leads research groups developing systems like ReDD and SVQ, emphasizing collaboration between academia and industry.

Lan WeiView profile

Associate Professor

• Nanoelectronic devices
• Cryogenic CMOS electronics
• GaN-based devices and circuits
• +5 more

Lan Wei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Canada. She leads the Waterloo Emerging Integrated Systems Group, focusing on device-circuit co-optimization, cryogenic CMOS for quantum computing, and emerging technologies like GaN, RRAM, and low-dimensional materials. Her work bridges nanoelectronics and system-level applications, with notable contributions to the MIT Virtual Source GaN HEMT (MVSG) compact model, an industry-standard tool. Education: B.S. in Microelectronics and Economics, Peking University (2005) M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2007, 2010) Research Interests: Nanoelectronic devices Cryogenic CMOS for quantum computing GaN-based circuits and systems RRAM-based neuromorphic computing Device-circuit interactive design Publications reflect her expertise in GaN modeling, quantum computing hardware, and RRAM applications. Recent work emphasizes scalable quantum control circuits and error-resilient neural networks using emerging technologies. Awards include the 2019 Ontario Early Researcher Award and the 2020 UWaterloo President's Excellence Award in Research. She has served on technical committees for IEDM, DATE, and ICCAD, and contributed to the ITRS roadmap. Teaching includes courses like ECE 240 (Electronic Circuits) and ECE 730 (Solid State Devices). Her group actively seeks graduate students with interest in integrated systems and nanoelectronics.