Amin Hammad is a Professor at the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, with an additional appointment as Affiliate Professor in Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. His research focuses on advancing construction technology through digital transformation, automation, and AI integration. He leads work in BIM applications, 4D simulation, robotic systems, and sustainable infrastructure management. His interdisciplinary approach bridges civil engineering with computer science and data analytics. Key research areas include: Automation and robotics in construction (Construction 4.0) BIM and digital twin lifecycle management AI-driven defect detection and inspection systems Occupational safety through exoskeleton performance evaluation Multi-purpose utility tunnel optimization Energy-efficient building systems Recent work emphasizes applying machine learning to construction equipment activity recognition, UAV path optimization for infrastructure inspection, and ontology development for integrated systems. His research addresses industry challenges in productivity, safety, and sustainability through data-driven solutions.
Dr. Karim El-Basyouny is a Killam Laureate Professor and City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Safety Research Chair at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he serves as Associate Dean (Research Infrastructure and Innovation) in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. A licensed Professional Engineer in Alberta, he holds advanced degrees in Transportation Engineering from the University of British Columbia and has dedicated his career to advancing road safety through data-driven management frameworks. His academic credentials include: Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2011 Engineering Management Sub-specialization, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2006 Bachelor's degree (ABET Equivalent), Civil & Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, 2003 El-Basyouny's research pioneers the integration of remote sensing, machine learning, and statistical modeling to enhance transportation safety. His work develops automated tools for infrastructure digitization, collision prediction, and speed management, treating safety as a systemic product requiring management frameworks. Key contributions include LiDAR-based road feature extraction, network-level safety evaluations, and frameworks for vision-zero outcomes that address both human-driven and autonomous vehicle contexts. His recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory centered on leveraging point cloud data and computational intelligence for safety management. Over 15 major publications since 2021 focus on automated infrastructure assessment (light pole detection, clear zone mapping, vertical clearance evaluation), weather-impact modeling, and enforcement resource optimization. This body of work bridges transportation engineering with computer vision and operations research to create scalable safety solutions. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors including: 2024 Killam Annual Professorship Award 2024 Road Safety Achievement Award from TAC 2023 Donald Stanley Award for environmental engineering 2022 Faculty of Engineering Graduate Teaching Award 2021 Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award As an academic leader, El-Basyouny actively mentors graduate students and secures significant research funding through his endowed chair position. He currently recruits fully-funded PhD and postdoctoral candidates specializing in remote sensing applications, machine learning, and geomatics for road digitization projects. His research group collaborates with national safety committees and municipal agencies to translate findings into policy, while he serves on editorial boards for Transportation Research Record and Analytic Methods in Accident Research. The research group operates at the intersection of transportation engineering and computational science, developing automated frameworks that merge sensor technologies with data processing tools. Current projects focus on semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds, safety implications of infrastructure digitization, and machine learning applications for road feature extraction in both urban and rural environments.
Dr. Young-Jin Cha is a tenured full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba, affiliated with the Price Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD from Texas A&M University and has postdoctoral experience at MIT. His research focuses on deep learning-based structural health monitoring (SHM), autonomous UAVs for infrastructure inspection, and smart transportation systems, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and $1.2M in grants. He is a Fellow of ASCE and has received notable awards including the 2021 Merit Award and 2022 International Association of Advanced Materials Scientist Award. His work has been cited over 9,200 times globally. Research interests include automated SHM with UAVs, nonlinear system identification, unsupervised deep learning for damage detection, and sustainable infrastructure design. He serves as an editor for journals like Structural Control & Health Monitoring and Engineering Reports . His lab, the Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Technology (LIST), develops advanced technologies for infrastructure resilience. Key achievements include pioneering deep learning-based SHM with UAVs, top-cited papers in civil engineering journals, and leadership in organizing international conferences. He actively seeks graduate students for research in AI-driven infrastructure solutions.
Professor Brian Surgenor is a faculty member at Queen's University's Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, part of the Smith Engineering faculty. He holds a B.Sc. (1977), M.Eng. (AECL/Whiteshell), and Ph.D. (1983) in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University. His research focuses on machine vision systems for automation, autonomous vehicle navigation, and mechatronic system design education. He has held key administrative roles including Department Head (1993-2002), Associate Dean (2008-2013), and Vice-Dean (2013-2016). His work emphasizes interdisciplinary innovation, such as the Mitchell Hall design project and contributions to Ingenuity Labs. Education: B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University (1977) M.Eng. Engineering Physics, McMaster University (AECL/Whiteshell) Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University (1983) Research interests include: - Pneumatic servosystems - Intelligent algorithms for machine vision - Off-road autonomous vehicle systems - Mechatronics education methodologies - Hybrid powertrain systems for vehicles His recent publications (2017–2024) explore autonomous systems, machine vision applications, and fuel cell hybrid technologies. Notable trends include advancements in UAV-based infrastructure inspection, terrain-adaptive autonomous driving, and low-cost machine vision solutions for small part sorting. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical industrial automation challenges. He has contributed to laboratory design for CDIO curricula and pioneered mechatronics education through problem-based learning. His administrative leadership has shaped Queen's engineering graduate programs and research infrastructure. Currently involved in Ingenuity Labs, fostering cross-disciplinary innovation.
Ronald D. Haynes is a Full Professor and Chair of Scientific Computing Graduate Programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He leads research in numerical methods for PDEs and industrial-scale optimization problems. His work develops advanced domain decomposition techniques, adaptive mesh methods, and parallel computing approaches for solving complex physical systems. Applications include modeling pitting corrosion of materials, predicting rock strength for drilling optimization, and simulating multiphase fluid flows in porous media. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in mesh adaptation, parallel algorithms, and machine learning applications for industrial problems. Collaborative projects have addressed reservoir simulation, drill bit analysis, and corrosion prediction through integrated computational approaches. Professor Haynes has received the President's Award for Outstanding Research (2018) and Dean of Science Distinguished Teaching Award (2017). He serves as Co-editor-in-chief of the CAIMS Mathematics in Science and Industry Journal and was President-Elect of the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society (2023-2025). He maintains active doctoral supervision with current research groups focusing on domain decomposition methods, closest point algorithms, and optimization techniques. Industry partnerships include projects with ExxonMobil and Global Maritime addressing drilling optimization and mooring design challenges.
Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.
Dr. Marjan Alavi is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University's W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, affiliated with the Mechanical Engineering department as an Associate Member. She holds a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license in Ontario and has over 15 years of academic and industrial experience in electrical engineering. Her research focuses on model-based and data-driven approaches for fault diagnosis, prognosis, and fault-tolerant control in hybrid systems, with applications in power electronics, energy systems, and smart infrastructure. Education: B.Sc. (2004) from K.N. Toosi University of Technology, M.Sc. (2007) from Sharif University of Technology, Ph.D. (2014) from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and a Postdoc (2015) at the University of Toronto's Energy Systems Group. Teaching: Instructs courses on Real-Time Systems (SEP 6ES3, SFWRTECH 4ES3), Smart Cities and Communities (SMRTTECH 4SC3), integrating real-world engineering challenges with theoretical frameworks. She emphasizes hands-on learning through remote labs and experiential projects. Professional Contributions: Serves as IEEE Toronto Section Executive Member, Technical Reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and Vice Chair of IEEE Industrial Applications Society (2015). Founded Intelligent Diagnosis Corporations, a Canadian startup focused on research and innovation in diagnostics technologies. Key Projects: Developed fault diagnosis strategies for electro-hydraulic actuators, vehicle-mounted infrastructure monitoring systems, and remote laboratory platforms for emergency traffic control. Research spans predictive maintenance, smart city technologies, and railway systems certification benefits. Awards: Recipient of the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2010. Recognized for her work in bridging academic research with industrial applications, particularly in enhancing system reliability through advanced control methodologies.
Dr. Mehrdad Moallem is a Professor and Graduate Student Supervisor in the Department of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Concordia University (1997), an M.Sc. from Sharif University (1988), and a B.Sc. from Shiraz University (1986). His research focuses on control systems in sustainable energy, power electronics, energy harvesting, robotics, and embedded systems. He has authored/co-authored four technical books and serves on editorial boards for journals like IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. Dr. Moallem has held academic roles at Duke University and the University of Western Ontario. His teaching includes courses on real-time control systems, mechatronics design, and microprocessors. Research interests span embedded control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and applications in renewable energy and robotics. Recent work includes IoT-enabled lighting systems for agriculture, RF cavity control, and smart energy harvesting. He emphasizes hands-on student projects and industry collaboration, such as the Siemens Certification Program and Industry 4.0 bootcamps. Dr. Moallem's lab develops innovative solutions for energy efficiency and automation, with a focus on sustainable systems and smart manufacturing. He actively advises graduate students on advanced topics like grid-connected inverters, motor drives, and vibration control.
François Pomerleau is a full-time Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Université Laval since 2017. His research focuses on 3D environment reconstruction , autonomous navigation , search-and-rescue robotics , and scientific methodology in robotics . He has held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Toronto and Université Laval, with technology transfer experience at Alstom Inspection Robotics and Robotiq. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2013) from ETH Zurich M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (2009) and B.Ing. in Computer Engineering (2006) from Université de Sherbrooke His research integrates robotics , computer science , and environmental monitoring , with a focus on point cloud registration , Lidar-based SLAM , and trajectory planning for unstructured environments. Recent work includes UAV-assisted terrain awareness , exposure time emulation for vision algorithms , and multi-season datasets for autonomous navigation . François’s recent publications emphasize 3D mapping , SLAM robustness , and environmental adaptation across forestry, subarctic, and alpine domains. His team develops tools for autonomous vehicles , search-and-rescue , and industry 4.0 . Scientific awards include Best Robotic Vision Paper Awards at CRV 2016 and 2020, a Best Paper Award at the ICRA 2024 Workshop, and recognition as a Distal Fellow of the NSERC Canadian Robotics Network (NCRN). He collaborates with industry partners like Robotiq and serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters , Frontiers in Robotics and AI , and IROS , while contributing to international program committees for robotics conferences.
Leijun Li, PhD, P.Eng., is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, where he also serves as Chair. With a career spanning institutions including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Northern Iowa, and Utah State University, he specializes in physical metallurgy , welding metallurgy , and additive manufacturing . His research focuses on microstructure characterization, mechanical properties, and modeling of non-equilibrium phase transformations during welding and AM processes. Current affiliations: University of Alberta, American Welding Society, ASM International Research themes: Additive manufacturing of alloys, Corrosion science, Pipeline metallurgy, Phase transformations, Welding robotics He has received multiple AWS Hobart Awards (4 times) and Savage Awards (2 times) for his work on pipeline welding and metallurgy. His group has published extensively on topics including delta-ferrite retention in Grade 91 steel, inverse bainite transformations , and welding defect analysis . Recent projects include NSERC Alliance Missions Grant for rare earth mineral recovery and Alberta Innovates Ecosystem Program for advanced manufacturing. Key collaborators: Dr. Tom Lienert, Dr. Xiaoying Fang, Dr. P-Q Xu Labs: Rooms 2-158/3-133 (CME Building), Office 12th Floor DICE Building
Dr. Hung Cao is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick, where he directs the Analytics Everywhere Lab. His work focuses on interdisciplinary research in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), IoT, Edge/Fog/Cloud Computing, and Explainable AI, addressing societal challenges through data-driven solutions. Prior roles include PostDoc Fellow and Data Scientist at the People in Motion Lab, UNB, and Lecturer/Researcher at Vietnam National University. He holds a Ph.D. in Geomatics Engineering (specializing in Data Science) from UNB (2020), an M.Sc. in Computer Science from University College Dublin (2015), and a B.Eng. from Vietnam National University (2011). Research interests span Smart Cities, Embedded AI, TinyML, Federated Learning, and Real-time Systems. He has led projects with Cisco, NB Power, and other industry partners to develop scalable analytics frameworks for IoT applications. Dr. Cao actively contributes to technical communities (IEEE Smart City, Edge Computing, etc.), serving as a reviewer for journals and conferences, and a Topic Editor for Electronics Journal . His innovations include the Analytics Everywhere framework for spatio-temporal data analysis, MACeIP platform for smart cities, and energy-efficient IoT systems for environmental monitoring. Current work emphasizes human-centered AI for healthcare diagnostics and industrial inspection systems.
Rickey Dubay is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Mechanical Engineering at University of New Brunswick. His research spans control systems, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, with particular focus on unmanned marine vehicles. Research areas include: complex control systems, robotic learning control, intelligent systems, and unmanned vehicle control. He leads projects on 3D trajectory tracking for marine vehicles and cognitive robotic strategies for autonomous systems. He has supervised 7 PhD and 23 Master's graduates, with 3 PhD and 4 Master's students currently. His research includes patented innovations in nonlinear control methodologies and complex profile tracking, and he co-founded Eigen Innovations Inc. Course instruction includes advanced topics: Model-based Control Methods, System Identification, and Optimal Control Methods.
Dr. Michael A. Chapman serves as a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University, specializing in image processing, deformation analysis, and sensor-integrated geospatial modeling for infrastructure applications. His work bridges civil engineering with advanced computational techniques for real-world problem solving. His academic credentials include a BT from Toronto Metropolitan University (1977), MSc from Ohio State University (1979), and PhD from Laval University (1989). BT: Toronto Metropolitan University (1977) MSc: Ohio State University (1979) PhD: Laval University (1989) Chapman's research centers on deformation monitoring of structures like the Rogers Centre roof, mobile mapping for road condition assessment, and sensor fusion for precision geospatial models. He pioneers applications in pavement deflection measurement using Doppler lasers and mobile laser scanning for infrastructure inspection, emphasizing practical engineering solutions derived from photogrammetry and image metrology. His methodology transforms mechanical observation into digital innovation for civil infrastructure management. His publication portfolio reveals a strong trajectory in merging deep learning with geospatial engineering, particularly in hyperspectral image classification and mobile mapping systems. These works consistently address civil infrastructure challenges through advanced computational approaches, demonstrating evolving sophistication from pavement crack extraction to sea ice mapping. His distinguished recognition includes: Wild Heerbrugg Photogrammetric Award - North America (1981) Chapman actively supervises graduate students and teaches core courses including CVL 207 (Graphics), CVL 352 (Geomatics Measurement Techniques), and CV8506 (Industrial Metrology). He emphasizes adaptive pedagogy to accommodate diverse learning styles, viewing teaching as both professional duty and personal passion. His industry-relevant research often involves partnerships with transportation authorities for real-time infrastructure assessment. His laboratory work focuses on mobile mapping systems and sensor integration platforms for deformation monitoring, particularly applied to large-scale structures and transportation networks. Current projects involve real-time pavement assessment technologies and 3D modeling of built environments using multi-sensor fusion approaches.
Dr. Yuejian Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on dynamic modelling, vibration signal processing, artificial intelligence, and prognosis/health management for complex systems like railway vehicles, wind turbines, and steam turbines. He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta (2020) and was a postdoctoral fellow there until 2021. Prior to joining the University of Manitoba in 2024, he served as an Assistant Professor at Tongji University's Institute of Rail Transit in China from 2021 to 2024. His research integrates digital twins and advanced health management methodologies to ensure safe and cost-effective operation of mechanical systems. Key areas include non-stationary vibration analysis, fault detection via AI (e.g., LSTM networks), and physics-informed machine learning. He has authored/co-authored over 60 publications and serves on editorial boards for journals such as IEEE Sensors Journal , IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement , and Smart and Resilient Transportation . Dr. Chen's work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, emphasizing railway transportation and energy systems. His recent publications (2021–2025) highlight contributions to gearbox fault detection under variable speed conditions, multi-camera metro monitoring systems, and data-driven load identification strategies. His research trends emphasize fusion of physical principles with AI for robust diagnostics and health management across mechanical systems. He is actively recruiting graduate students interested in dynamic systems, signal processing, and AI applications in mechanical engineering. His research group collaborates with industry partners to address real-world challenges in machinery safety and efficiency.
Mark Eramian is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on image processing, medical image analysis, and computer vision, with significant contributions to plant phenotyping and medical diagnostics. He leads a lab emphasizing equity, diversity, and inclusivity, outlined in the Lab Code of Conduct . His work spans applications in agriculture, such as automated plant trait analysis using UAV and multispectral imaging, and medical imaging, including thyroid nodule classification and ovarian follicle segmentation. He collaborates with organizations like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and is part of the Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre (P2IRC), funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. Eramian teaches courses in image processing, computer vision, and algorithms. His lab actively develops open-source tools for image analysis, including texture enhancement methods and segmentation algorithms. Current projects include self-supervised learning for phenotyping and semi-automated seed classification. Prospective students are encouraged to apply through the university's graduate program, selecting 'Computer Vision and Image Processing' as their focus area. His lab emphasizes collaboration, learning, and ethical conduct, with ongoing work in phenomics and medical imaging technologies.
