Dr. Melike Erol-Kantarci is an Associate Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa, and a Canada Research Chair in AI-enabled Next-Generation Wireless Networks. She founded the Networked Systems and Communications Research (NETCORE) Laboratory and holds a courtesy appointment as Assistant Professor at Clarkson University's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. With over 6,000 citations and an h-index of 40, she contributes to IEEE as a Senior Member, chairs the Green Smart Grid Communications special interest group, and serves as Editor for IEEE Communications Letters and IEEE Access . Research Focus: 5G/6G wireless networks AI/ML-driven network optimization Smart grid communications Cyber-physical system security Edge computing and IoT Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) Scientific Contributions: Her recent publications highlight generative AI integration in 6G, intent-driven network management using hierarchical reinforcement learning, physical layer security for connected vehicles, and explainable AI frameworks in communications. The 15 most recent works (2024-2025) span topics like beamforming optimization, federated learning security, UAV-assisted networks, and semantic communication systems. Leadership: As director of the NETCORE Laboratory, she leads cutting-edge research in networked systems, bridging wireless communication paradigms with energy sustainability and security requirements for next-generation networks.





