Tim Conley is Professor and Chair at the Department of Economics, University of Western Ontario. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1996). His research focuses on applied econometrics with emphasis on spatial dependence, cross-sectional analysis, and empirical industrial organization. His primary research interests include methodological development in econometrics, particularly around dependence modeling in cross-sectional data and spatial analysis techniques. He has made significant contributions to understanding technology adoption in developing economies and detection of collusion in market mechanisms. Professor Conley's publications demonstrate consistent focus on developing robust statistical methods for economic applications, with recent work emphasizing practical applications in policy evaluation and market analysis. His methodological innovations have been implemented in statistical software packages used by researchers worldwide.
Florian Kerschbaum is a Professor and NSERC/RBC Industrial Research Chair in Data Security at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo. His research focuses on data security and privacy, applied cryptography, and confidentiality in data science. Research interests span data collection/preparation management, secure multi-party computation, homomorphic encryption, differential privacy, and machine learning robustness/privacy. His work develops cryptographic solutions for practical data management challenges in distributed systems.
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.
Linyi Li is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), leading the Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (TAI) Lab. His research focuses on certifiably trustworthy deep learning systems, combining machine learning and computer security. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and a B.Eng. from Tsinghua University. Affiliations: Simon Fraser University, TAI Lab Education: PhD in Computer Science, UIUC, 2023 B.Eng (Cum Laude), Tsinghua University, 2018 His research interests include deep learning , trustworthy machine learning , large language models , and software engineering . He emphasizes rigorous certification of robustness, fairness, and numerical reliability in AI systems. Recent work includes the InfiBench benchmark for evaluating code LLMs and advancements in neural network verification. Recent Research Trends: His publications span certified robustness, fairness guarantees, and scalable verification techniques for deep learning models. He also explores scientific evaluation of foundation models and adversarial defense mechanisms. Awards: Rising Stars in Data Science AdvML Rising Star Award Wing Kai Cheng Fellowship Finalist: Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (2022) Winner: VNN-COMP'23 Competition (Team α, β-CROWN) Advising & Grants: As a PI, he oversees the TAI Lab's research. Though no specific grants are listed, his work is funded through competitive awards and university resources. Labs/Teams: Leads the TAI Lab at SFU, focusing on foundational and applied research in trustworthy AI.
Aaron Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. He holds a PhD from Stanford University. His research focuses on applied probability, computational statistics, Monte Carlo methods, and Markov chains, with an emphasis on advancing theoretical understanding and practical applications of these methodologies. Dr. Smith's work includes contributions to community detection algorithms, Markov chain mixing times, and synthetic health data generation. His recent publications explore topics such as nonstandard Dirichlet form representations, perturbation analysis of MCMC algorithms, and sparse Bayesian multidimensional scaling. He advises students in applied probability and has supervised postdoctoral researchers in related fields. His research interests span a wide range of topics, including stochastic processes, statistical inference, and algorithm design. He is particularly known for his analysis of convergence rates in Markov chains and the development of efficient sampling techniques for complex models. His interdisciplinary work bridges theoretical mathematics and practical computational challenges in data science and healthcare. Dr. Smith collaborates on projects involving synthetic data frameworks for privacy-preserving applications and has contributed to foundational work on mixing times and perturbation effects in stochastic systems.
Geoff Pleiss is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with CAIDA's AIM-SI cluster. He is also a Canada CIFAR AI Chair and faculty member at the Vector Institute. His research bridges deep learning and probabilistic modeling, focusing on uncertainty quantification, Bayesian optimization, Gaussian processes, and ensemble methods. Pleiss earned his PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University (2020), followed by a postdoc at Columbia University. He holds multiple awards, including the AISTATS Top Reviewer and NeurIPS recognitions. His work emphasizes scalable algorithms and open-source contributions, such as the GPyTorch library. Pleiss advises students in Computer Science and Statistics, including Donney Fan (PhD), Tim G. Zhou (MSc), and others. He teaches advanced courses like STAT 547U (Deep Learning Theory) and STAT 520P (Bayesian Optimization). Grants include NSERC Discovery and New Frontiers in Research funding. Pleiss collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as astrophysical discovery via machine learning, and actively participates in academic service and outreach. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Cornell University (2020) MSc in Computer Science, Cornell University (2018) BSc in Engineering (Computing with Applied Mathematics), Olin College (2013) Key Research Themes: Uncertainty-aware decision-making with neural networks Scalable Gaussian processes and Bayesian optimization Ensemble methods and their theoretical limitations Recent Grants: NSERC Discovery Grant (2024) New Frontiers in Research Fund (2025, co-PI) His publications span foundational theory to applied machine learning, with over 14,500 citations. He actively mentors students through research internships and advises on open-source software development. Pleiss frequently presents at top conferences and collaborates with industry partners like Microsoft and ASAPP.
Abhijit Sarkar is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa. His work centers on computational dynamics and probabilistic modeling, with office MC 3076 in the Minto Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and contact details including phone (613) 520-2600 x6320 and email abhijit_sarkar@carleton.ca . Education: D.Phil. from University of Oxford M.Sc. from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) B.E. from Calcutta University Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation His research drives innovation in uncertainty quantification for complex engineering systems. Core interests include dynamics of nonlinear structures, probabilistic mechanics for stochastic finite element methods, and Bayesian inference frameworks for parameter estimation. He pioneers scalable high-performance computing solvers for large-scale systems and sparse learning algorithms to address overfitting in statistical modeling. Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Bayesian model calibration for stochastic compartmental systems applied to epidemiology and aerospace, (2) domain decomposition techniques for scalable uncertainty quantification in stochastic PDEs, and (3) sparse learning methods for nonlinear aerodynamic encoding. Key applications span wind turbine vibration analysis, flutter margin prediction, MEMS resonator optimization, and geospatial pandemic modeling. Scientific awards: No awards, fellowships, or medals listed in the source material Graduate supervision includes 6 current students (Ajay Kumar, John Clarabut, Nastaran Dabiran, Sakhi Mittal, Michael Pantano, Brandon Robinson) and 18 graduated students across 17 years (2006-2023). His research leverages high-performance computing for projects in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and computational epidemiology, frequently co-supervised with Dominique Poirel and Chris Pettit. Notable grants focus on wind tunnel validation for nonlinear systems and pandemic spread modeling. Based in the Minto Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering, his computational mechanics group develops algorithms for stochastic dynamics using Carleton University's high-performance computing infrastructure. Collaborations span aerospace engineering (flutter analysis), civil infrastructure (seismic wave propagation), and public health (Covid-19 modeling).
Anup Basu is a Professor in the Department of Computing Science at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on computer graphics, computer vision, and multimedia communications. He holds an B.S. in Math & Statistics from the Indian Statistical Institute (1980), an M.E. in Computer Science from the Indian Statistical Institute (1983), and a Ph.D. in Computing Science from the University of Maryland (1990). His work emphasizes Quality of Service (QoS) in multimedia delivery for e-commerce and telelearning, adaptive bandwidth monitoring, and 3D visualization tools. He pioneered foveated image compression and stereo visualization techniques, contributing to MPEG-4 coding standards. He leads major initiatives like the ASRA/TelePhotogenics/IBM 3D Medical Imaging project ($2M+ funding) and developed patented SHR Stereo/3D scanning technologies. Awards include the American Neurological Association Fellowship. He has held leadership roles as General Chair for IEEE International Conferences on SMC (2017), Multimedia & Expo (2013), and SMC (2014). His research integrates interdisciplinary collaborations across universities and industry partners, leveraging advanced equipment like the CAVE system for immersive visualization.
Hassan Z. Ashtiani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing and Software within the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University. His academic profile shows consistent engagement in both teaching and research activities, with evidence of active participation in major machine learning conferences and journals through 2025. Dr. Ashtiani's research focuses on the theoretical foundations of machine learning, with particular expertise in privacy-preserving algorithms, Gaussian mixture models, and adversarial robustness. His work bridges statistical learning theory with practical algorithm design, often addressing fundamental questions about sample complexity and computational efficiency in learning systems. A significant portion of his recent work explores the intersection of differential privacy with statistical learning, developing methods for private density estimation and distribution learning. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong trend toward increasingly sophisticated theoretical frameworks for private and robust learning. His work consistently appears in top-tier venues including NeurIPS, ICML, COLT, and ALT, with recent contributions extending into agnostic private density estimation and robust learning with tolerance. The research demonstrates progression from foundational work on nearest neighbor search and clustering algorithms toward more complex problems in private learning of high-dimensional distributions. Dr. Ashtiani teaches across multiple levels of computer science education, including undergraduate courses in Automata and Computability (COMPSCI 2AC3) and Principles of Programming (COMPSCI 2S03), as well as graduate-level courses such as Fundamentals of Machine Learning (COMPSCI 4ML3) and Theoretical Foundations of Unsupervised Learning (CAS 775). His teaching portfolio shows consistent involvement in machine learning education since at least 2019, with evidence of teaching multiple sections each academic year. His scholarly impact is reflected in mentions across 3 news outlets, reference in 1 policy source, engagement from 7 X users, and 90 readers on Mendeley, suggesting growing recognition of his contributions to theoretical machine learning.
Alex Shestopaloff is a Lecturer in Statistics at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), affiliated with the School of Mathematical Sciences. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute (2017–2020) and a Junior Research Fellow at Campion Hall, Oxford. He holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Toronto (2016), supervised by Radford M. Neal. His research focuses on developing efficient MCMC methods, high-dimensional time series analysis, network science, and applications in financial market microstructure. Education: PhD in Statistics, University of Toronto (2016) Supervisor: Radford M. Neal Research Interests: Bayesian online learning in non-stationary environments Limit order book modeling and trading strategies Graph clustering and network analysis Statistical methods for high-dimensional data Algorithmic trading and cryptocurrency markets His recent work spans financial engineering, machine learning, and statistical methodologies. Notable contributions include cluster-based trading strategies (ClusterLOB), generalized Bayesian filtering frameworks, and scalable graph analysis techniques. Collaborations with industry partners (e.g., Wise Plc) highlight applied research in financial systems. Advising & Alumni: Current advisees include Yichi Zhang (Oxford), Maria Fernanda Pintado (QMUL), and Dave Lui (Oxford) Alumni: Gerardo Duran-Martin (Postdoc at Oxford-Man Institute), Claudio Bellani (Citadel Securities) Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary projects at QMUL and collaborates with the Alan Turing Institute on financial and network science initiatives.
Ryan Browne is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo. He holds a BMath (2004), MMath (2006), and PhD (2009) from the same institution. His research focuses on model-based clustering , classification , and measurement system quality assessment , with applications in multivariate analysis and statistical inference. He is particularly known for contributions to mixture models and their computational optimization. Education: BMath in Statistics, University of Waterloo (2004) MMath in Statistics, University of Waterloo (2006) PhD in Statistics, University of Waterloo (2009) Ryan’s work emphasizes flexible statistical methodologies , including advancements in skewed distributions, high-dimensional data analysis, and robust algorithms for clustering and classification. He has received the prestigious 2011 W.J. Youden Award from the American Statistical Association for his PhD research on measurement system evaluation. His research trends span computational statistics (e.g., sketching algorithms for big data) and model-based clustering innovations (e.g., mixtures of generalized hyperbolic distributions). Recent work explores parsimonious models, nested Gaussian structures, and efficient parameter estimation for complex datasets. Key Awards: 2011 W.J. Youden Award (American Statistical Association) Ryan collaborates on applied projects, including industrial ecology and sensory data analysis. He has developed R packages like mixture and MixGHD , which implement his methodological contributions.
Mahmoud Zarepour is a Full Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. He holds an MSc from Shiraz University (Iran) and a PhD from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on advanced statistical methodologies including Time Series Analysis, Nonparametric Bayesian Inference, and Analysis of Random Variables with Infinite Variance. He has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, including Nada Habli, Reyhaneh Hosseini, and Sicheng Huang, among others. Education: MSc (Shiraz University, Iran) PhD (University of Toronto) Dr. Zarepour's research interests emphasize Bayesian nonparametric techniques, stochastic processes, and robust statistical methods. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in areas such as change point detection, multivariate analysis, and resampling schemes. Notable contributions include advancements in Dirichlet process-based methods, bootstrap techniques for complex distributions, and asymptotic theory for unstable time series. His publications span over two decades, with recent works addressing Bayesian bootstrapping, quasi-Bayesian change point detection, and nonparametric inference for spherically symmetric distributions. His research group is part of the Statistics and Probability cluster at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Zarepour has advised multiple students and contributed to collaborative projects in statistical theory and methodology. His work often explores the intersection of probability theory and applied statistics, with an emphasis on rigorous mathematical foundations.
Md. Zoheb Hassan serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at Laval University, where he leads cutting-edge research in wireless communications and spectrum management. His academic role includes graduate recruitment and active participation in the university's research ecosystem, particularly through the Establishment of the Next Generation of Professors program funded by FRQNT. Dr. Hassan's research centers on spectrum sharing and management, wireless communication systems, and communications network control systems. He pioneers the integration of digital twin technology and machine learning to solve critical challenges in next-generation networks, including interference management in 5G/6G aerial corridors, Internet of Vehicles, and satellite-terrestrial integration. His work emphasizes practical implementations such as proof-of-concept demonstrations for tactical networks and proactive resource allocation in dynamic environments. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a dominant trend toward AI-driven wireless resource optimization, with 12 of 15 recent papers featuring digital twins for interference management, spectrum sharing, and energy efficiency. Key thematic clusters include vehicular communications (4 papers), underwater IoT networks (2 papers), and hardware-impairment resilient designs (3 papers), demonstrating his focus on bridging theoretical advances with real-world deployment challenges across diverse network topologies. Dr. Hassan has secured significant competitive funding for his research initiatives: Digital Twin-Enhanced Interference Management for Next-Generation Radio Access Networks in the FR3 Band (FRQNT, 2025-2027) Center for Radio Frequency and Communications Systems, Technologies and Applications (FRQNT, 2024-2030) Context-Aware Spectrum Sharing and Management for Next Generation Wireless Networks (NSERC, 2024-2029) Development of innovative technologies for modeling predictive systems in urban mobility (MITACS, 2022-2026) Springboard to Discovery supplement for Context-Aware Spectrum Sharing (NSERC, 2024-2025) He actively mentors doctoral candidates, currently supervising Mahima Karim (PhD in Electrical Engineering, expected 2025) and Mohammadamin Parhizgar (PhD in Electrical Engineering, expected 2024). His supervisory approach combines theoretical rigor with practical problem-solving, focusing on spectrum management algorithms and digital twin implementations for next-generation networks. While specific laboratory affiliations aren't detailed in the source material, his projects indicate strong alignment with Laval University's wireless research infrastructure and the Center for Radio Frequency and Communications Systems.
Xin Gao is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at York University, Toronto. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , Machine Learning , and Statistical Genetics , with applications in biomedical data analysis and planetary science. He leads the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab , which has developed impactful tools like an online Type 2 Diabetes risk predictor using logistic regression and Mars rock composition analyzers for NASA. His methodological work includes penalized composite likelihood and multi-task feature learning , implemented in R packages FusionLearn and lassoGEE . Scientific Awards NSERC Discovery Acceleration Award ($120,000, 2018-2020) Key Software Contributions FusionLearn : Correlated multi-task feature learning lassoGEE : High-dimensional clustered/longitudinal data analysis Notable Collaborations Vector Institute (AI scholarship mentoring) Fields Institute (committee roles) International genomic data integration projects
Yashar Hezaveh is an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Astrophysical Data Analysis and Machine Learning. His work focuses on using gravitational lensing and machine learning to map dark matter distributions in galaxy halos, advancing our understanding of dark matter's nature. He completed his PhD at McGill University in 2013, earning recognition for groundbreaking research on high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxies. Education: PhD in Physics (McGill University, 2013) Affiliations: Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Astrophysics Research interests include applying deep learning to analyze gravitational lensing data, Bayesian neural networks for dark matter mapping, and cosmological simulations. Notable projects include the CASTOR mission and advances in radio interferometry image reconstruction. His work bridges astrophysics and machine learning, addressing challenges in cosmic structure analysis. Awards: Hubble Fellowship (2015), Top 10 Quebec Science Discoveries (2013). Grants: Leads multiple projects on dark matter, AI-driven stellar mass measurement, and astrophysical data analysis funded by NSERC, FQRNT, and the Simons Foundation. Students: Supervised four Master's theses on topics like Bayesian lensing inversion and machine learning for galactic archaeology. He contributes to collaborative initiatives like the Centre de recherche en astrophysique du Québec (CRAQ), fostering interdisciplinary astrophysics research.
