Find Academic Supervisors

Serge LafranceView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Business Management
• Market Development
• Marketing Strategies
• +4 more

Serge Lafrance is an Adjunct Professor at HEC Montréal and serves as the Director of Executive Education (ED) at the institution. He is also a member of HEC Montréal's Executive Committee, having joined in May 2024. Under his leadership, ED provides executive education to over 9,000 professionals, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs annually through more than 100 short-term courses in all areas of management, customized training for businesses, and world-class programs including the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) and Next AI. His academic background includes: DEA (Management) from the University of Montpellier MSc (Marketing) from the University of Sherbrooke Professor Lafrance specializes in business and marketing domains, with a strong focus on practical applications of management theory to real-world business challenges. His expertise spans the full spectrum of strategic business development and marketing implementation. His primary areas of professional interest include Business Management and Growth strategies, Market Development approaches, and comprehensive Marketing Strategies. He has particular depth in Consumer Marketing frameworks and both local and international Marketing Research methodologies. Additionally, he has significant experience in Brand and Reputation management, helping organizations build and maintain strong market positions in competitive environments. Under Professor Lafrance's direction, HEC Montréal's Executive Education programs rank 1st in Quebec and 29th in the world according to the prestigious Financial Times ranking (2024). He previously served as a Board member of UNICON (Consortium for University-based Executive Education) from 2022 to 2024 and currently serves as Prime Representative of HEC Montreal to the network. Within UNICON, which brings together 115 leading business schools from 30 countries, he chaired both the Benchmarking Committee and the Continuity Committee. His leadership extends to the First Nations Executive Education (FNEE), an innovative project co-constructed and propelled in the context of reconciliation with stakeholders of the First Nations, demonstrating his commitment to inclusive executive education initiatives.

Pavel TrofimovichView profile

Professor

• Second Language Acquisition
• Applied Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• +7 more

Pavel Trofimovich is a Professor of Applied Linguistics at Concordia University's Department of Education, where he has worked since 2003. His research bridges psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, and pedagogical dimensions of second language acquisition. PhD in Educational Psychology/Applied Linguistics (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003) MA in Teaching English as an International Language (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998) BA in English Philology (University of Latvia, 1996) Key research areas include cognitive processing in L2 speech acquisition, social variables affecting language learning, and comprehensibility in lingua franca interactions. His Concordia Applied Linguistics Lab (co-directed with Kim McDonough) employs mixed methods including eye-tracking and physiological sensors to study multilingual communication. Recent publications (2023-2025) focus on metaperception in L2 interaction, accent bias in employment, and nonverbal behaviors in communication success. Collaborative projects with students and SSHRC grants (e.g., 2021-2025 foreign accent bias study) demonstrate his applied focus on real-world language challenges. Current PhD students: Anamaria Bodea, Thao-Nguyen Nina Le, Chaoqun Zheng Former students now hold academic positions globally (University of Alberta, Waseda University, etc.)

Nediljko BudisaView profile

Professor

• Synthetic Biology
• Xenobiology
• Genetic Code Engineering
• +7 more

Nediljko Budisa is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Chemical Synthetic Biology and Xenobiology at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry. His research program focuses on expanding the fundamental biochemical capabilities of living systems through genetic code engineering and synthetic biology approaches. Dr. Budisa's research spans multiple cutting-edge areas in synthetic biology, with particular emphasis on genetic code expansion , non-canonical amino acid incorporation , and protein engineering . His laboratory employs both classical biochemical techniques and advanced computational methods to develop orthogonal translation systems, engineer novel enzymes, and create synthetic cells with expanded biochemical repertoires. His work bridges chemistry, biology, and engineering to address fundamental questions about life processes while developing practical applications in biotechnology and medicine. Analysis of Dr. Budisa's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of innovation in genetic code engineering, with recent work increasingly integrating machine learning approaches for protein design. His research spans from fundamental studies of protein structure-function relationships to applied research in metabolic engineering and antiviral strategies, demonstrating the versatility of synthetic biology approaches. Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Chemical Synthetic Biology and Xenobiology Dr. Budisa leads an active research program supported by his Canada Research Chair position, with extensive collaborations across Canada and internationally. His work has resulted in numerous patents and commercial applications in biotechnology. He actively participates in the synthetic biology community through initiatives like Prairie iGEM BioExM and has delivered public lectures on methodological challenges in expanded genetic code research. His research is conducted through the Chemical Synthetic Biology and Xenobiology laboratory at the University of Manitoba, where his team explores the social, cultural, educational, ethical and philosophical aspects of synthetic biology alongside technical innovations, reflecting a comprehensive approach to advancing this transformative field.

• French Language Education
• Lexical Didactics
• Vocabulary Acquisition
• +4 more

Dominic Anctil is a Full Professor in the Department of Didactics at the Faculty of Education, Université de Montréal. His academic career focuses on French language education with specialization in lexical didactics, vocabulary acquisition, and writing instruction. He contributes significantly to teacher training programs and educational resources for French language instruction across multiple educational levels. His educational background includes: PhD in Education (Didactics option), Université de Montréal (2005-2011) MA in Education (Didactics option), Université de Montréal (2002-2005) Minor in Linguistics, Université de Montréal (2002-2003) Bachelor of Music, Université de Montréal (1998-2002) Dr. Anctil's research primarily investigates lexical didactics, examining how vocabulary is taught and learned in French language education. His work bridges lexicology, semantics, and language teaching methodologies with particular attention to writing instruction, grammar teaching at the primary level, and vocabulary comprehension in reading. He explores teacher approaches to lexical errors and develops effective strategies for lexical instruction across educational settings. His publication record reveals consistent focus on practical applications of lexical theory in classrooms. Much of his work addresses teaching vocabulary through children's literature, dictionary use, and targeted instructional sequences. His recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in vocabulary instruction methods and error analysis in language learning. Dr. Anctil actively supervises graduate students with recent thesis completions in 2024 focusing on vocabulary consolidation, lexical teaching resources for primary education, and vocabulary instruction practices. He serves as external examiner for graduate theses at other institutions including Université Laval and UQAM, reflecting his recognition as an expert in French language education. He is a member of OLST (Observatoire de linguistique Sens-Texte) and has contributed to educational resources including the "Ouvrir le dictionnaire" website for college students. His work extends beyond academia through collaborations with school boards and teachers, particularly in projects focused on vocabulary teaching in early childhood education and primary schools.

Ali GhorbaniView profile

Professor

• Cybersecurity
• Machine Learning
• Network Security
• +3 more

Dr. Ali Ghorbani is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity at the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Computer Science, where he served as Dean from 2008-2017. He is the founding Director of the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC), established in 2016. Ghorbani holds BSc (Tehran), MSc (George Washington University), and PhD (UNB) degrees. With 42+ years in academia, his research spans cybersecurity, machine learning, adaptive systems, and critical infrastructure protection. Ghorbani has co-founded three cybersecurity startups (Sentrant Security, EyesOver Technologies, Cydarien Security) and co-invented four awarded patents. He has published 300+ peer-reviewed papers and supervised 250+ researchers. Professional roles include co-founding the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) and serving as co-editor-in-chief of Computational Intelligence journal. Awards & Honors: Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity Startup Canada Senior Entrepreneur Award (2017) RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants (2019) CAIAC Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)

Elisa BaniassadView profile

Teaching Professor

• Software Engineering
• Educational Technology
• Aspect-Oriented Programming
• +3 more

Elisa Baniassad is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), within the Faculty of Science. She specializes in software engineering education and has received numerous teaching accolades including the UBC Killam Teaching Prize and CS-Can/INFO-CAN Excellence in Teaching Award. Her courses focus on software construction, engineering principles, and advanced software design. Dr. Baniassad has taught CPSC 310 (Introduction to Software Engineering), CPSC 210 (Software Construction), and CPSC 410 (Advanced Software Engineering) across multiple terms since 2000. Her research interests span educational methodologies in software engineering, aspect-oriented programming, and the design of effective learning tools. Notable contributions include studies on team dynamics in software development, automated assessment techniques, and pedagogical frameworks for large-scale programming courses. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from mutation analysis in student tests to the efficacy of online learning environments. Awards include recognition for teaching excellence at UBC and contributions to computer science education. Her work emphasizes practical applications of software engineering principles in academic settings, with a focus on fostering student mastery through innovative assessment strategies and feedback mechanisms.

• Agricultural Land Use Planning
• Farmland Protection
• Local Food Systems
• +9 more

David J. Connell is a Professor at the School of Environmental Planning, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he conducts research and teaches in agricultural land use planning, farmland protection, local food systems, and conservation of British Columbia’s inland rainforest. He is actively involved in policy research, graduate supervision, and community-engaged scholarship. University: University of Northern British Columbia School: School of Environmental Planning Position: Professor Email: david.connell@unbc.ca Office: Room 10-3060, Teaching and Learning Building Education: While specific educational background is not detailed in the provided text, his research and academic leadership suggest a PhD in planning, environmental studies, or a related field. Research Interests: Dr. Connell's research centers on agricultural land use planning and farmland protection in Canada, with a focus on policy analysis of legislative frameworks across governmental levels. He also studies local food systems, farmers markets, and the socio-economic benefits of non-timber forest uses, particularly in the Ancient Cedars of the Upper Fraser River Valley. His work integrates community development, sustainability, and policy innovation. Publication Trends: His recent publications emphasize farmland protection policy at provincial and local levels, evaluation of legislative strength, and the federal role in agricultural planning. He also contributes to understanding ecotourism, ancient forest values, and strategic development of farmers markets. His interdisciplinary approach bridges planning, environmental policy, and community economics. Scientific Awards: UNBC Award of Excellence in Research (2017) UNBC Award of Excellence in Teaching (2014) Advising and Grants: Dr. Connell has supervised numerous MA and MBA students on topics including farmland protection, food sovereignty, ecotourism, and rural development. He has led major research projects funded by SSHRC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. His work includes national studies, policy briefs, and knowledge mobilization through workshops and toolkits. Labs and Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, he leads a research program on Agricultural Land Use Planning: Strengthening Farmland Protection and collaborates with the BC Association of Farmers' Markets and government agencies. His team includes graduate students and research partners across Canada.

Catherine WhalenView profile

Associate Professor

• Administrative Leadership
• Organizational Leadership
• Teacher Education
• +6 more

Catherine Whalen is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), affiliated with the NRES Graduate Program. Her research focuses on Administrative Leadership, Organizational Leadership in education, and policies impacting educational systems. Key areas include inclusive education, cultural diversity, special education, and mental health initiatives within schools. Dr. Whalen has secured $300,000 in federal funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) via Insight Grant and Insight Development Grant programs, supporting her work on education policies and organizational structures. She contributes to advancing teacher education and comprehensive school health strategies. No specific laboratories, teams, or advisory roles are detailed in the provided information.

Sandra BosackiView profile

Professor

• Emotional Development
• Sociocognitive Development
• Theory of Mind
• +7 more

Dr. Sandra Bosacki is a Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock University's Faculty of Education. She specializes in emotional and sociocognitive development, theory of mind, school bullying, gendered self-concept, media literacy, and spiritual development in children and adolescents. She teaches courses including EDUC 5P37 (Developmental and Educational Issues) and EDUC 5P80 (Introduction to Educational Inquiry). Her research focuses on understanding children’s social-emotional worlds, peer relationships, and the role of companion animals in human relationships. She leads the Theory of Mind in Education Lab and has collaborated on studies involving animal-assisted educational programs. Her research interests span topics like bullying, media influence, and humor in youth, with a particular emphasis on how psychological language shapes cognitive development. She has advised students such as Megan Jones (Mitacs scholar) on projects like parent-child relationships and loneliness. Her work has been presented at conferences including the Jean Piaget Society and the Society for Research in Child Development. Awarded no specific scientific prizes are listed, but her contributions to educational research are highlighted through her extensive publication record. She actively engages in transdisciplinary research and global collaborations, hosting visiting scholars through Brock’s Global Scholars Office.

Ian MathesonView profile

Associate Professor

• Inclusive Education
• Special Education
• Reading Comprehension
• +4 more

Ian Matheson is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University, specializing in Special Education. He holds a PhD in Education (Cognitive Studies) from Queen's University (2018), an MEd in Cognitive Studies (2013), a BEd in Primary/Junior Division (2011), and a BSc in Psychology (2010) from Trent University. His research focuses on inclusive education practices, supporting students with exceptionalities, and addressing the needs of early career teachers. Specific interests include reading comprehension strategies, teacher self-efficacy, and motivation in educational settings. He previously served as faculty in Inclusive Education at the University of Regina before joining Queen's. Matheson is affiliated with the Canadian Research Centre for Inclusive Education and holds executive roles in the Canadian Association for Educational Psychology. His publications (2017) explore teacher induction programs, early career challenges, and parental collaboration in special education contexts.

• Climate Science Education
• Evolution Education
• Learning Theory
• +5 more

Professor Gale M. Sinatra is a leading Educational Psychologist at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. With a distinguished career spanning decades, she serves as Associate Dean for Research and Chair of the APA Climate Change Task Force. Her research focuses on cognitive-motivational-emotional processes in STEM learning and science denial contexts. PhD in Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst Developed the Motivated Change Research Lab at USC Co-authored Science Denial (Oxford, 2021) Her work examines: Conceptual change in science learning Epistemic emotions in education Climate change communication Science denial mechanisms Integrated STEM instruction Plausibility reappraisal models Recent publications show expertise in: Refutation text effectiveness Epistemic cognition Post-truth science communication Educational interventions for attitude change Scientific honors include: National Academy of Education Membership AERA Sylvia Scribner Award APA and AERA Fellowships USC Mentoring Award Major grants from NSF, Gates Foundation, and Mattel Children's Foundation have funded: Augmented reality paleontology education STEM engagement programs Epistemic belief research Climate change communication studies

• Mathematics Education
• Students with Special Needs
• Learning Difficulties
• +4 more

Patricia Marchand is a faculty member at the University of Sherbrooke's Faculty of Education, specializing in mathematics education and special needs education. She teaches graduate courses in school adaptation and mathematics education, and conducts research on learning difficulties, spatial reasoning, and teaching methodologies for students with special needs. Her work bridges theory and practice in educational settings, with particular focus on developing effective interventions for students experiencing mathematical learning challenges. Education Doctorate in Education (2005) - Université de Montréal Master's in Mathematics (1998) - Université du Québec à Montréal Bachelor's in Teaching Mathematics and Computer Science for Secondary School (1995) - Université du Québec à Montréal Research Interests Dr. Marchand's research focuses on mathematics education for students with learning difficulties, particularly in the areas of spatial reasoning, geometry teaching, and preventive support systems. She investigates how to develop mathematical understanding in primary school students, with special attention to fraction concepts, geometric constructions, and volume understanding. Her work emphasizes the integration of spatial reasoning across mathematics and science education, and she explores collaborative approaches between teachers, orthopedagogues, and mathematics didacticians to support students at risk of academic failure. Research Trends Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on spatial reasoning development in elementary mathematics education, with particular attention to geometry concepts. She has developed preventive support systems for students with learning difficulties, examining how to articulate pedagogical and orthopedagogical practices in mathematics. Her work increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary approaches, connecting mathematics with other subjects like science and language arts to create more comprehensive learning experiences for students at risk. The analysis of teaching sequences that promote spatial reasoning has become a central theme in her recent scholarship. Research Funding Dr. Marchand has secured significant research funding as principal investigator and co-researcher on multiple projects: Principal Investigator: "Comment développer le raisonnement spatial en classe de 6e année dans un contexte interdisciplinaire mathématiques et astronomie?" (SSHRC, $88,364, 2021-2026) Principal Investigator: "Transmettre le plaisir d'apprendre à lire et soutenir les élèves à risque de vivre des difficultés scolaires dès la maternelle" (TD Bank and University of Sherbrooke Foundation, $500,000, 2017-2022) Co-researcher: "Le centre RBC d'expertise universitaire en santé mentale destiné aux enfants, adolescents et adolescentes, et aux jeunes adultes" (Royal Bank of Canada, $1,000,000, 2016-2021) Multiple projects with the Quebec Ministry of Education focused on supporting students with learning difficulties in mathematics classrooms Teaching and Supervision Dr. Marchand teaches graduate courses in mathematics education, school adaptation, and special education at the University of Sherbrooke. Her regular courses include "Didactique de la géométrie et de la mesure" (Geometry and Measurement Teaching), "Intervention en mathématiques" (Mathematics Intervention), and "Potentiel mathématique de l'apprenant" (Student's Mathematical Potential). She provides clinical supervision for students in school adaptation programs, with particular attention to mathematics teaching for students with special needs, and has developed specialized training approaches using role-playing as a teaching methodology for prospective mathematics educators.

Vicki KnightView profile

Assistant Professor

• Applied Behaviour Analysis
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Developmental Disabilities
• +5 more

Vicki Knight is an Assistant Professor in Special Education at the University of British Columbia , with over 20 years of experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) education. She serves as Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) and works closely with students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Research Focus: Promoting STEM learning for students with ASD and developmental disabilities Key Methods: Single-case research, applied behavior analysis, technology-based interventions With over 40 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Knight’s work evaluates inclusion strategies in STEM and disseminates evidence-based practices. She contributes to editorial boards of journals including the Journal of Special Education and Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities . Selected Scientific Contributions: 2019 Research Award, Council for Exceptional Children Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential Her publications highlight video prompting, coding education, and general curriculum access. She trains educators internationally and explores collateral benefits of inclusive education environments.

Gerry FergusonView profile

Professor

• Criminal Law
• Anti-Corruption
• Corporate Criminal Liability
• +3 more

Gerry Ferguson is a University of Victoria Distinguished Professor at the Faculty of Law specializing in criminal law and anti-corruption. He serves as a Senior Associate at the International Center for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy (ICCLR) and is a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Experts Group on Anti-Corruption Academic Materials. His research focuses on criminal law frameworks , global anti-corruption mechanisms , and corporate liability structures . Ferguson has authored seminal works including the two-volume Canadian Criminal Jury Instructions and the Annual Review of Criminal Law , while contributing to international legal development through CIDA-funded projects in Vietnam and China. Analysis of his publications (1998-2018) reveals consistent emphasis on cross-jurisdictional corruption frameworks, evolving from corporate liability foundations to comprehensive analyses of international conventions and national implementations (US, UK, Canada). His work bridges theoretical legal principles with practical anti-corruption enforcement strategies across public and corporate sectors. Ferguson has directed major international initiatives including the Canada Vietnamese Legislative Drafting and Management Program (1994-95) and the Canada-China Procuratoracy Project (2003-2008). As Senior Associate at ICCLR, he leads policy development efforts and contributes to UN anti-corruption academic materials, maintaining active engagement in global legal reform through visiting professorships at institutions including Hong Kong, Monash, and Auckland.

Ana Teresa Pérez-LerouxView profile

Professor

• Child Language Acquisition
• Bilingualism
• L2 Syntax
• +3 more

Ana Teresa Pérez-Leroux is a Professor of Spanish and Linguistics and Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Toronto . She also serves as Director of the Cognitive Science Program. Her research focuses on child language acquisition, bilingualism, and Spanish syntax, with an emphasis on understanding how children learn complex grammatical structures. She holds a PhD in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Key affiliations include the Faculty of Arts and Science , where she has been a professor since 2009, and leadership roles such as Chair of Spanish and Portuguese (2019–present) and Director of Cognitive Science (2014–2019). Earlier roles include Visiting Professorships at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Michigan State University. Research Interests : Her work investigates syntactic and semantic development in monolingual and bilingual children, particularly recursion in noun phrases, clitic usage, and tense/mood systems. Recent projects include SSHRC-funded studies on noun phrase complexity ($158,848, 2014–2018), revealing insights into recursive structures across languages like Japanese, German, French, Spanish, and English. Grants and Collaborations : Co-PI on SSHRC Insight Grant exploring recursive embedding in children. Collaborators include Susana Bejar, Diane Massam, and Yves Roberge. Supervises over 20 graduate students and has published extensively in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Linguistics , and Language . Education : PhD in Hispanic Linguistics (1993), MA in Spanish & Linguistics (1992), both from UMass Amherst. BA in Modern Languages (1983) from Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.