Niko Troje is a Professor at York University, affiliated with the Departments of Psychology, Biology, and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. He holds cross-appointments and leadership roles, including Director of the BioMotion Lab. His research focuses on perceptual representations, biological motion, and vision science. Education: Ph.D. in Biology (1994) - Albert-Ludwigs Universität B.Sc. in Biology (1990), Physics & Mathematics (1987) - Albert-Ludwigs Universität Research Interests: Troje investigates how the brain processes biological motion, perception of human and animal movement, and applications in virtual reality. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and computer science. Key Contributions: Pioneered point-light displays for motion perception, explored gait analysis in mental health, and developed tools for motion capture and analysis (e.g., bmlTUX). Awards: Humboldt Research Prize (2014) NSERC Steacie Fellowship (2008-2009) Canada Research Chair (2003-2013) Grants & Labs: Led funded projects on movement perception, collaborated with institutions like the Max Planck Institute, and directs the BioMotion Lab at York University.
Hamid Mansoor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute under Prof. Emmanuel Agu, and was part of the DARPA-funded WASH project. His research focuses on data visualization, digital health, and smartphone-based behavioral analysis. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the VIXI Lab, University of Victoria, Canada, under Prof. Miguel Nacenta. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Research Interests: Interactive data visualization frameworks for health monitoring Mobile and ubiquitous computing for behavioral analysis Smartphone-sensed human behavior and health informatics Visual representation of text-based and sensor data Publications highlight trends in visual analytics for healthcare, including tools like ARGUS and INPHOVIS for detecting bio-behavioral disruptions and smartphone-based phenotyping. His work integrates machine learning with visualization to address challenges in health data interpretation. Awards: Best short paper honorable mention (EuroVis 2020) His contributions span academic collaborations in health informatics and mobile computing, with a focus on bridging theory and practical applications in healthcare technology.
Bryan Tripp is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in computational neuroscience, deep learning, robotics, and medical AI. He leads the BRAIN Lab, which focuses on developing neural system models that interact with the physical world through robots. His research integrates neurobiological models with advanced machine learning techniques to study visuomotor processes and robotic applications. Tripp teaches courses such as Computational Neuroscience (SYDE 552), Deep Learning (SYDE 577), and Biomedical Engineering Design Workshops (BME 461/462). His lab has achieved milestones including the OREO robotic head, the first spiking neural network model for complex action planning, and comprehensive datasets for robotic grasping. His recent work emphasizes Medical AI applications, with graduate positions available. The BRAIN Lab is affiliated with the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience and Waterloo.AI, contributing to interdisciplinary AI research initiatives.
Shannon Bell is a Professor in Political Science at York University, working as a performance philosopher who integrates digital video technology with political theory. Her research examines intersections of cyberpolitics, aesthetics, and power through projects like 'Shooting Theory', which visualizes philosophical concepts through film. She has authored books including 'Fast Feminism' and 'Reading, Writing and Rewriting the Prostitute Body'. Current SSHRC-funded projects explore bioart and robotic art extremes, with residencies at Symbiotica (UWA) and international exhibitions. She teaches courses on modern political thought, technopolitics, and aesthetics. Educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from York University. Professional leadership includes directing the Resource Centre for Public Sociology.
Manolis Savva is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Computer Graphics. He specializes in 3D scene analysis, generative methods for 3D content, and computer graphics for AI. His research bridges computer graphics, vision, and robotics. Education: Ph.D. (Computer Science, Stanford University, 2016), MS (Computer Science, Stanford, 2012), B.A. (Physics & Computer Science, Cornell, 2009). Research Interests: Human-centric 3D scene analysis, generative 3D content creation, AI-driven rendering, and applications in robotics. Key projects include Habitat (Embodied AI platform), ScanNet , and ShapeNet datasets. Recent Articles: Focus on articulated object modeling, 3D scene synthesis, and AI-driven visualization. Notable work includes SceneMotifCoder (generating object arrangements) and R3DS (panoramic scene understanding). Awards: CHCCS Early Career Award (2022), ICLR 2023 Outstanding Paper Award, ICCV 2019 Best Paper Nomination, and SGP 2020 Dataset Award (ScanNet). Lab/Teams: Leads research groups in 3DLG (3D Learning and Graphics) and GrUVi (Graphics and Vision). Collaborates on projects like AI Habitat and HomeRobot .
Charles Perin is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Victoria, leading the UViz research group. He holds a PhD from Université Paris-Sud (2014) and has held roles including Post-doc at the University of Calgary and Lecturer at City, University of London. His research focuses on information visualization, personal visualization, human-computer interaction, and sports visualization. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2014), Université Paris-Sud; Post-doc at University of Calgary (InnoVis lab); MS and earlier studies in Computer Science and HCI in France. Research interests include designing interactive visualization tools for personal data reflection, health data communication, and sports analytics. He emphasizes authoring tools for non-experts and physical/tangible visualization systems. Recent work explores embedded data physicalizations and mobile visualization design. His articles span topics like data storytelling, patient-generated health visualizations, and soccer data analysis, often appearing in top venues like IEEE VIS, CHI, and Eurovis. He has advised over 20 students across PhD, MSc, and undergraduate levels. Teaching includes courses on Information Visualization and HCI at UVic, City, and other institutions. He co-organized workshops on topics like Personal Visualization and Sports Data at IEEE VIS. His UViz lab collaborates internationally with institutions like Monash University and the National Archives (UK).
Kai-Yu Wang is a Professor of Marketing at the Goodman School of Business, Brock University. His research spans a wide range of topics in marketing, consumer behavior, and digital technologies, with a particular focus on service recovery, augmented reality, social media marketing, and brand management. Research Interests: Consumer behavior in digital environments Service recovery strategies in social media and chatbot contexts Augmented reality applications in marketing and consumer engagement Brand value co-creation and community building Cross-cultural consumer psychology His recent work delves into the nuances of consumer interactions with emerging technologies like chatbots and AR, examining how these tools influence customer relationships and decision-making processes. Contact Information: Email: kwang@brocku.ca Phone: 905 688 5550 x5597
Ross Otto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University. He holds an office at 2001 McGill College, 711, and can be reached via email at ross.otto@mcgill.ca. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying reflective versus reflexive decision-making, particularly how cognitive resources, stress, and contextual factors influence effort-based choices. He employs computational modeling, behavioral experiments, and neuroimaging techniques. Notable contributions include studies on stress-induced cognitive avoidance and the neural correlates of effort evaluation. His work is affiliated with the Otto Lab, and he collaborates widely across disciplines such as neuroscience and behavioral economics.
Wesley Willett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, holding the NSERC CRC II Chair in Visual Analytics. His primary research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and new media applications. He leads the Data Experience Lab and Interactions Lab, exploring innovative methods for data representation and interaction in augmented/virtual reality environments. Education includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado (2006) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2012). His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles, emphasizing ethical considerations in data visualization and inclusive representation. Key research contributions include: spatial visualization techniques for large environments, gesture-based interfaces for AR/VR, and physical data representations through projects like Cetonia (swarm robotics visualization) and Data Embroidery. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at CHI 2015 and Pervasive 2010. Current research emphasizes immersive analytics, wearable visualization systems, and demographically diverse anthropographics. He collaborates with urban designers, neurologists, and environmental scientists to apply visualization in diverse domains like epilepsy surgery planning and air quality monitoring.
Frank Russo is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he holds the NSERC-Sonova Senior Research Chair in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience. He leads the Science of Music Auditory Research and Technology (SMART) Lab and holds affiliate and adjunct positions at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto, respectively. Research Interests: Dr. Russo's work lies at the intersection of auditory cognitive neuroscience, music psychology, and rehabilitation. His research explores how humans perceive music and speech, particularly under challenging conditions such as hearing loss or non-native accents. He investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms of listening effort, emotional speech processing, and the social and therapeutic benefits of music, especially through community choirs and digital interventions. Publication Trends: His recent publications emphasize objective measurement of listening effort using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), music-based interventions for Parkinson’s disease and dementia, vocal and emotional responses to singing, and multisensory integration in beat perception. The work is highly translational, bridging basic cognitive neuroscience with clinical and community applications. Scientific Awards and Honors: NSERC-Sonova Senior Research Chair in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association Fellow of Massey College Fellow of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science Past President of the Canadian Acoustical Association Advising and Grants: Dr. Russo actively mentors students and researchers, as evidenced by his co-authorship with numerous junior colleagues. He has secured major funding through NSERC and industry partnerships, enabling the development of impactful technologies such as hearing aid algorithms, sensory substitution systems, and digital therapeutics. His SingWell project fosters collaboration across academic, clinical, and community sectors. Labs and Teams: He directs the SMART Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University, a hub for interdisciplinary research on music, hearing, and cognition. The lab collaborates extensively with KITE Research Institute, Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto, and various community organizations focused on aging, hearing loss, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Laurie Wilcox is a Full Professor in the Department of Biology at York University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on stereopsis, binocular vision, and depth perception, particularly exploring how the visual system processes binocular disparity signals. She leads a laboratory investigating cortical systems for fine and coarse disparities, with studies on amblyopia and applied collaborations with companies like Christie Digital and IMAX. Her work bridges basic neuroscience and applied research, addressing depth perception in 2D/3D displays and VR environments. Key interests include stereoscopic volume representation, perceptual grouping, and the impact of monovision on depth judgments. Recent studies examine lightness constancy in virtual reality, depth magnitude errors in 3D displays, and neural activation patterns in object-selective visual cortex. Wilcox has published extensively on binocular vision mechanisms, including coarse stereopsis in strabismus patients and the role of motion parallax in depth perception. Her applied projects evaluate visual fidelity in stereoscopic content, compression algorithms, and ergonomic considerations for XR devices. She also investigates how environmental context (e.g., familiar size, natural scenes) modulates depth perception accuracy across real and virtual environments. Her research emphasizes translational applications, aiming to optimize display technologies through insights from human visual processing. Ongoing work explores perceptual integration of binocular and monocular cues, attention modulation by depth, and the neurophysiological underpinnings of stereoscopic vision.
Dr. Jonathan Cant is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, particularly visual perception and cognition using fMRI and behavioral techniques. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, educated at Western University (Psychology) and Harvard University (postdoctoral) Expertise: Object perception, ensemble processing, texture/shape perception, scene recognition The Cant Lab investigates high-level human visual cortex organization, with a focus on the ventral stream's role in perception. Key research includes dissociating shape and surface property processing, material properties in cognition, and object-scene interactions in neural systems. Recent publications highlight ensemble encoding of facial expressions (2025), cross-modal ensemble coding (2024), and texture-shape relationships in ventral cortex (2015). His work bridges modular/distributed cortical organization theories and explores neural substrates for 3D shape vs. material compliance. Teaching includes PSY5222 (Visual Cognitive Representation), PSYC75 (Cognitive Psychology Laboratory), and PSYC51 (Cognitive Neuroscience of Vision). The lab welcomes motivated students and researchers through direct email applications.
Dr. Noboru Yonemitsu is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Faculty of Applied Science. He specializes in Hydrotechnical Engineering and has been with UBC since 1992, contributing to both teaching and research. His research focuses on IR-NDT technologies, turbulent fluid mechanics, and environmental fluid mechanics, with applications in wastewater treatment and ecological systems. Education: M.A.Sc. in Engineering Physics from Hokkaido University (Japan), specializing in Turbulent Fluid Dynamics and Non-destructive Testing (NDT). Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Alberta, Canada. Research Interests: Non-destructive testing (NDT) for infrastructure assessment Fluid dynamics in environmental and ecological contexts Wastewater treatment technologies Awards: 2019 3rd Year Student Appreciation Award 2002 Civil Engineering Teaching Award (UBC) Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education Scholarship (1987-1989) Teaching: Instructs courses including CIVL 303 (Computational Tools), CIVL 315 (Fluid Mechanics II), and Civil Engineering Design Projects. His pedagogical approach integrates practical engineering challenges with theoretical foundations. Professional Experience: Extensive consulting and research work with organizations like Northwest Hydraulics Consultants, NASA, BCIT, and major industries, spanning hydraulics, NDT, and environmental engineering.
Edward Lank was a Professor at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, and held an Inria International Research Chair at Inria Lille-Nord Europe (2019–2023). His research focused on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including intelligent user interfaces, mobile/multi-touch interaction, gesture recognition, and mathematical software design. He earned a BSc from the University of Prince Edward Island and a PhD from Queen's University. Research Highlights: Pioneered work on gesture-based interaction, including MathBrush for mathematical expression recognition. Explored large-display interaction, powerwall design, and mass user engagement with public displays. Investigated kinematics of user input, endpoint prediction, and mode inference in interfaces. Collaborated on persuasive technology for energy demand management and health-related serious games. Awards & Recognition: National Science Foundation Career Award (2004) Best of CHI Nominee (2008) Inria International Research Chair (2019–2023) Grants & Funding: Supported by Google, NSERC, GRAND NCE, and the ORF Program. His research addressed challenges in wearable tech, VR/AR, and sustainable HCI practices. Legacy: Edward Lank passed away on March 21, 2022. His contributions to HCI, including foundational work on gesture recognition and user-centered design, continue to influence the field. His courses, such as CS 889 (HCI Seminar) and CS 449 (HCI Fundamentals), emphasized user-centered design and empirical methods.
Pankaj Aggarwal is a Professor of Marketing in the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), with a cross-appointment to the Rotman School of Management. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Chicago and has held academic leadership roles, including former Associate Chair of the UTSC Department of Management. His research focuses on consumer-brand relationships, anthropomorphism, and judgment/decision-making, with publications in top journals like the Journal of Consumer Research and Psychological Science . He is recognized as a leading scholar in consumer behavior, ranked 1st in Canada and top 25 globally. Aggarwal teaches courses ranging from undergraduate marketing principles to PhD-level consumer psychology seminars and serves on editorial boards for major marketing journals. Education: PhD in Marketing (University of Chicago), MBA from the University of Chicago and IIM Ahmedabad, and a B.A. in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Research Interests: Consumer-brand relationships, brand anthropomorphism, judgment and decision-making, advertising, and social psychology. His work explores how brands are perceived as human-like entities and how this influences consumer behavior, including service evaluations, product preferences, and ethical decisions. Grants & Leadership: Aggarwal has secured multiple grants from SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) and other institutions, focusing on topics like anthropomorphism, brand relationships, and decision-making norms. He has held editorial roles at the Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of the Association for Consumer Research , and is a Fellow of the Institute of Brand and Brand Relationships. Teaching & Mentorship: Teaches courses such as Principles of Marketing, Advertising Management, and PhD-level consumer psychology seminars. Supervises graduate students and mentors researchers in consumer behavior and marketing strategy.
