Leadership, service and recognition

• 2019

  Nominated by Ryerson as one of 5 presenters at the first ever CRAM learning festival.

• 2018

  Canine Remote Deployment Systems sold to Indian government anti-terrorism agency-National Security Guard.

• 2017

  N-CART visited by Dr. Mark Williamson, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)– Centre for Security Science, Government of Canada

• 2016

  Governor Gary Herbert (R-Utah) visits NCART lab Delegates from trade mission to Ontario to discuss research collaboration.

• 2016

  Research collaboration with FIT added to “speaking points” of Consul General of Canada in international trade discussion with the Governor of Utah.

• 2016

  Canine Remote Deployment System (developed and patented in NCART lab) deployed for disaster relief in Lebanon by Utah-based NGO “Field Innovation Team” (FIT)—First operational deployment

• 2015

  Invited presenter to the Colorado Innovation Network (COIN) Summit sponsored by the State of Colorado, Office of the Governor

• 2014

  Named Partner In Research (PIR) national “Technology Ambassador”. The Technology Ambassador Award of PIR recognizes outstanding contributions of a body of work over a period of time to the field of technology and to Canadians and their promotion to the public by a Canadian researcher.

• 2014

  Named Privacy by Design Ambassador by the Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

• 2013

  Invited TEDx talk at TEDx@RyersonU: “Dogs and Robots”

• 2013

  EURAXESS “Science Slam” Canadian champion, ranked 2nd in North America. Science Slam story (Ryerson Faculty of Science)

• 2012

  Research recognized by IEEE Spectrum, viewed by over 300000 Scientists and Engineers. IEEE Spectrum: Search and rescue dog deploys robot snake via bark control

• 2011

  National Institute of Standards and Technology award for contributions to the Response Robot Evaluation Exercise process. College Station, TX, USA.

• 2009

  Nominated as “best lecturer” for TVO’s program “Big Ideas” competition.

• 2009

  Awarded “Information Technology Hero” by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) for research work in Urban Search and Rescue.

• 2007

  Winner of the Ontario Government Showcase of Excellence awards (Gold and Diamond awards) for “project achievement” for the research project “Canine Augmentation Technology”.

• 2001-05

  Recognized as one of the “Popular Profs” at Ryerson University by Maclean’s Magazine Guide to Canadian Universities.

• 1995

  Received University of Waterloo Graduate Fellowship

• 1994

  Recipient of the Maple Leaf Chapter of the Association of Old Crows

• 1994

  Recipient of the University of Waterloo graduate scholarship.

• 1992

  Awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration for twelve years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces.

• 1992

  University of Guelph Graduate Fellowship for academic achievement.

• 1988

  Royal Regiment of Canada Association scholarships while attending Ryerson.

1. July 2016- June 2023

   Graduate Program Director (GPD)--Master of Digital Media (MDM)

   The Creative School (Formerly the Faculty of Communication and Design)

   The Master of Digital Media Program is one of only two MDMs in Canada. This interdisciplinary Graduate Program offers intensive 12-month professional graduate experience designed to equip graduates with the skills and industry experience they will need as they launch themselves into the digital media world. Whether our students plan to develop their own startup, work in the corporate world or go on to further studies. The program intersects with three key areas of digital media: art & design, technology, and business & entrepreneurship. Gaining perspective in each of these areas helps participants tackle problems from innovative angles. The MDM is the first academic program embedded within a university-based business incubator.

   The GPD is the academic leader of a program and manages all aspects of it including managing efforts to launch our graduates’ careers.

   • Ryerson’s MDM is associated with the MDM housed in the Centre for Digital Media through a memorandum of understanding allowing the exchange of faculty and students between programs
   • The MDM is embedded within Ryerson’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ)—ranked the number one university-based incubator in North America.
   • The MDM program tracks graduate employment success. At the moment all five graduated cohorts enjoy a 92-96% employment rate.
2. July 2019- Present

   Associate Chair and Graduate Program Director (MSc and PhD), Computer Science

   Department of Computer Science

   See below for position responsibilities.

3. Sept 2019 – Present

   Senator - At Large

   Ryerson University

   Sept 2019 – Present

4. January 2019 – Present

   Vice Chair-Technical Advisory Committee-Groningen & Student Mobility Project

   Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC)

   The Project involves creating a national platform for Canada that facilitates student data exchange between provinces, territories and trusted organizations around the world. It seeks to realize many benefits for student mobility including enhancing service to students and post-secondary institutions. My role in the project was related to both governance of the committee, participating in selecting the criteria for technology adoption and leading the assessment of technologies related to the secure and reliable transmission of records between academic institutions.

5. May 2016 - Present

   Member – Faculty Advisory Committee—Library Collaboratory

   Ryerson Library

   The Collaboratory provides faculty and their research teams with space and technology resources to facilitate research and course development. Located on the 3rd floor of the Library building, reconfigurable spaces are provided with state-of-the art technical support providing opportunities for a wide variety of research uses. In this role, I act as a proponent of cross-disciplinary research facilitated by this shared space. This has led to some very successful (but unlikely) collaborations between members of Ryerson’s Early Childhood Studies and Computer Science.

   • Teaser video produced by Ryerson University Advancement discuss the collaboration between researchers in the Collaboratory showing an Early Childhood Studies assistive robot arms being used in the explosive neutralization task: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSvkrlL5I2Q

   • Teaser video produced by Ryerson University Advancement (Early Childhood Studies assistive robot arms in the explosive neutralization task)
6. September 2016 - Present

   Member - Business Technology Management (BTM) Forum Governing Council

   Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)

   Established as an unincorporated professional association, the BTM Forum (BTMF) is the national body for managing the BTM activities. It is a multifaceted organization governed by BTM Forum Governing Council that is comprised of representatives who are responsible for steering the organization’ s overall direction on the members’ behalf. The BTMF is a ring-fenced entity within ITAC and is recognized as the awarding organization to design, develop and award qualifications, such as certification and accreditation. The BTMF BTM Accreditation Council and the BTMF Certification Council report to the BTM Forum Governing Council. The BTMF Governing Council has responsibility for governing the oversight, overall effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

7. 2016-present

   Member, DMZ, Ryerson University

   The DMZ at Ryerson University is one of Canada’s largest business incubators for emerging tech startups. It is the top-ranked university incubator in North America and third in the world. The DMZ helps startups succeed by connecting them with customers, advisors, influencers and other entrepreneurs. It’s a space and community that encourages, supports and fosters new technologies that transform lives and businesses.

   Working with the Executive Director, my role has been to support MDM and other graduate students in their efforts to learn from and contribute to the DMZ’s startup ecosystem. This often takes the form of assisting students in finding paid internships within the DMZ’s incubated companies and matching graduate student goals with startups within the DMZ and increasingly the other Zones.

8. January 2011- Present

   Faculty Liaison—Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

   Office of the Dean, G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education

   The faculty liaison appointment was created to combat stagnation in the growth of enrollments within the Faculty of Science (FoS) and Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) portfolios. The Liaison forms the nexus between the goals and aspirations of disparate Faculties and the Chang School in order to foster dialogue, find synergies and encourage collaboration for the purposes of creating new curriculum, updating existing offerings and generating new revenue while reducing the costs of program delivery.

   During my engagement as faculty liaison, enrollments within my areas of responsibility grew from 7% of all Chang School enrollments to 13% with a coincident and significant rise in total revenue. This increase in enrollments was the result of a close coordination collaboration between the Chang School Director for these areas and myself and our focus on conducting detailed labor market research focusing on academic offerings that lead to sustainable careers for our students.

   My responsibilities include identifying opportunities, preparing business cases for and creating new Certificate programs, workshops and Course Series (undergraduate and non-graduate) related to curriculum, interests and competencies from the 2 academic Faculties to the Chang School. I work with Faculty Decanal offices to develop strategies for growth. This role includes leading Chang school staff in developing delivery and governance models as well as working with stakeholders to define course offerings that are high-quality, academically sound, labor-market focused and popular amongst adult learners. Once a program is running, I am responsible for finding and hiring competent contract instructors to teach the required courses and monitoring their teaching performance through a formal assessment process.

   To date, I have substantively contributed to the definition, creation and/or revision of the programs/course series/workshops listed below:

   • Data Analytics, Big Data and Predictive Analytics (Certificate, FEAS and FoS)
   • Computer Security and Digital Forensics (Certificate, FoS)
   • Disaster and Emergency Management (Certificate, FoS)
   • Energy Management and Innovation (Certificate, FEAS)
   • Financial Mathematics Modeling (Certificate, FoS)
   • Infrastructure Asset Management and Renewal (Certificate, FEAS)
   • Project Management for Mid-Level Managers in the Technical Sector (Certificate, FEAS)
   • Program and Portfolio Management (Certificate Renewal, FEAS)
   • Project Management (Certificate Renewal, FEAS)
   • Robotics and Embedded Systems (Certificate, FoS and FEAS)
   • Sustainability Management and Process Excellence (Certificate Renewal, FEAS)
   • Course Series in Computer Applications (FoS)
   • Course Series in Survival in Urban Disasters and Emergencies (FoS)
   • Course Series in The Human Body (FoS)
   • Course Series in Transportation Logistics (FEAS)
   • Course Series in Project Management (FEAS)
   • Course Series in CATIA Engineering Design ( FEAS)
   • Course Series in Drone/UAV Ground School (FoS)
   • Course Series in Computer Programming Applications (FoS)
   • Course Series in Computer Applications (FoS)
   • Course Series in Computer Programming for Game Developers (3D Unity & Autodesk Maya)(FoS)
   • Course Series in iPhone and Android Applications Development (FoS)
   • Course Series in The Internet of Things (IoT) (FoS)
   • Course Series in 3D Printing, Visualization and Agile Product Prototyping
   • Course Series in Hadoop, Python and Tableau Big Data Tools (FoS, FEAS)
   • Course Series in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Developer for Smartphones (FoS)
   • Non-Technical Workshops for Technologists and Technicians in the Technical Sector (FEAS)

   • 4781 enrollments for Academic Year 2011-12 in Science and Engineering programs
   • 8412 enrollments for Academic Year 2018-19 in Science and Engineering programs
   • Written, revised or collaboratively created
   • I share the academic coordinator role in this program with Prof. Ayse Bener (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering).
   • This is the only D&EM program housed within a Department of Computer Science in the World.
   • This Certificate program is a collaboration across 2 Faculties (FEAS and FoS) and 3 Departments (CS, Mech/Ind Eng and E&CE)
   • Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA)
9. February 2014 - Present

   Academic Co-coordinator--Certificate Program in Data Analytics, Big Data & Predictive Analytics

   The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

   All private and public sector organizations are recognizing the competitive advantage of “Big Data” – the ability to analyze large data sets – and are increasingly demanding professionals who have advanced competencies in data analytics, statistics, and predictive analytics. This certificate focuses on direct, practical application of skills and techniques, while providing sound academic and technical education in data analytics with big data. The certificate provides a strong foundation in analytics, tools, and statistics. The certificate is a collaboration between FEAS, FoS, the departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (academic home of the certificate), Computer Science, Mathematics, and The Chang School. As the co-academic co-ordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program and, working with the Chang School Director, the resolution of concerns and complaints by students, faculty and staff.

   The program is extremely successful. There continues to be considerable labor market demand for employees who can use computational tools and techniques to analyze existing corporate and enterprise data and form actionable recommendations. The Certificate follows the strategy of training participants in learning and using commonly accepted technical tools to build their own portfolios—unlike most competing programs that teach only theory. In addition, the Certificate serves as the primary gateway into Ryerson’s Graduate degree program (MSc) in Data Science and Analytics.

10. March 2012 - Present

    Academic Coordinator - Robotics and Embedded Systems Certificate Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    This certificate program provides adult learners with hands-on opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills that will permit them to contribute and respond effectively to our collective societal need to provide innovation through advances in robotics and embedded systems product and device development. The Certificate is a collaboration between FEAS, FoS, the departments of Computer Science (academic home), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and The Chang School. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program.

    I developed this Certificate to address the labor market demand for employees who could interact with and create robotic applications and work with embedded systems. This strategy has paid off as an increasing number of participants are coming from the manufacturing section—especially automotive parts fabrication.

11. February 2012 – Present

    Academic Coordinator, Computer Security and Digital Forensics Certificate Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    The Certificate in Computer Security and Digital Forensics will be of interest to individuals just starting their career; career changers seeking to achieve advancement, portability, and longevity goals; managers and end users requiring a more in-depth understanding of computer security and data protection; and long-time practitioners seeking to round out their knowledge and attain a recognized level of academic achievement. The Certificate is a collaboration between the FoS, the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) and the departments of Computer Science (academic home), the Law Practice Program, and The Chang School. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program.

    The program has been growing in enrollments over the years as the threats to Canadian enterprise security have become more prevalent. With these threats in mind, the Certificate was strategically designed to lead to the entry-level CISSP Certification process--often leading participants to direct entry employment within various industries. More recently, I was instrumental in developing strategy and advocating for the Certificate to be offered at Chang Schools’ newest venue—Brampton’s City Hall.

12. February 2012 – Present

    Academic Coordinator, Disaster and Emergency Management Certificate Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    This program is designed to prepare participants to act as members of a multi-disciplinary team involved in, planning for, and dealing with emergency incidents. The fundamental goal of this certificate is to introduce participants to best practices including risk assessment and risk mitigation, pre- and post-disaster planning, including business contingency planning, effective communication guidelines, pre- and post-disaster mitigation, on-the-ground operations, and follow through in search, rescue, response, and recovery. The curriculum emphasizes the knowledge, processes, tools, and mechanisms necessary to ensure that disaster and emergency management projects are executed using best practices and success-proven procedures. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program.

    The Certificate’s academic home is the departments of Computer Science—perhaps the only disaster and emergency management program associated with such a department. In 2016, the Chang School Director and I developed a deliberate strategy to attract to and facilitate success for Canadian Forces veterans to enroll in the program. Consequently, the Certificate has become a gateway for demobilized Canadian Forces veterans to receive retraining while taking advantage of their existing skill sets. Several Certificate graduates have gone on to senior leadership roles in various emergency management agencies. In addition, several other graduates now regularly teach in the program—most have previous experience in the Canadian Forces.

13. November 2018 – Present

    Academic Coordinator, Computer Science Part-time Degree Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    This part-time degree program runs completely in parallel to the full-time (day school) Computer Science undergraduate degree program. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program. In addition, I collaborate and coordinate with the Associate Chair of the Department of Computer Science for the full-time undergraduate degree program in Computer Science in order to ensure that all full and part-time students receive equitable treatment within our Programs.

14. February 2012 - Present

    Academic Coordinator, Computer Programming Applications Certificate Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    This program is designed for individuals who wish to work as application programmers in software engineering, database technology, and networking or related user support positions. It provides an overview of systems principles and client/server architecture that will enable individuals to perform system integrations and user help functions. It provides training in the most popular programming languages (Java and C) and the popular operating system (UNIX). This certificate also permits students to focus on several application areas: Software Engineering, Database Technology, Networking, Project Management, GIS, and Landscape Design. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program. While this program pre-existed my tenure as its Academic Coordinator, the Certificate is a major source of new undergraduate Computer Science students as participants gain an appreciation for the field.

15. September 2013 - Present

    Academic Coordinator, Environmental Sciences Certificate Program

    The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

    The Certificate in Environmental Sciences covers air, water, and soil processes, an introduction to environmental legislation, site assessment, waste management, and green technology. This certificate is intended for individuals with an undergraduate degree and/or experience in engineering, science, environmental studies, or similar. As the academic coordinator I am responsible for the quality, delivery and academic management of the program.

16. September 2000- Present

    Adjunct Professor-School of Computer Science-University of Guelph

    I collaborate with regular faculty members within the school and am involved in graduate education in a co-supervisory role.

17. November 2012 – Present

    Adjunct Professor-Department of Computing and Software-McMaster University

    I collaborate with regular faculty members within the school and am involved in graduate education by presenting guest lectures and talks.

Last three years.

• Editor, “The International Student Journal of Automation Robotics Mechatronics Manufacturing”, Ryerson University Website
• Editorial board member, “Digital Communications and Networks” Elsevier Website
• Editorial board member, “International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Networks” Website
• Editorial board member, “International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation (IJMA)” Website
• Editorial board member, “Journal of Robotics and Mechatronic Systems” Website
• Editorial board member, “International Journal of Communications and Computer Networks” Website
• Reviewer, Conference on Robots and Vision
• Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics
• Reviewer, IEEE Access
• Reviewer, International Journal of Robotics and Automation (ACTA press)
• Reviewer, Applied Mathematical Modelling (Elsevier)
• Reviewer, The International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems (University Of Bahrain)
• Reviewer, International Journal of Humanoid Robotics (World Scientific)
• Reviewer, Journal of Field Robotics (Wiley)
• Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems

1. October 2008 – October 2010

   Police Auxiliary, USAR and CBRNe Response Team

   Ontario Provincial Police

   An Auxiliary member of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is responsible for assisting regular police officers within the OPP in the completion of their duties. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear explosive (CBRNe) Response Team (UCRT) requested that I become an Auxiliary as there were certain aspects of our research collaboration which required my membership as an official volunteer within the OPP (to achieve standing). I continued to conduct research within the broad areas of USAR and CBRNe and provided technical support for several canine search technologies developed at Ryerson including readying equipment for the UCRT’s expected deployment to Haiti in 2010. I also coordinated the efforts of several of my Graduate students also volunteered to maintain Ontario’s provincial fleet of deployable emergency and disaster response robots until maintenance contracts could be awarded.

2. June 1980 - November 1994

   Company Commander, Service and Support Company, The Royal Regiment of Canada

   Canadian Forces Primary Reserve

   I was a member of this militia infantry battalion. Having joined as a private soldier and progressing through the ranks, I held every appointment within an infantry Company-- retiring with the rank of Captain.

   In 1991, I was appointed the Officer Commanding (OC) the battalion’s Service and Support Company. I was a lieutenant at the time and the usual rank of a Company Commander is Major. There are only 4 OCs in an Infantry Battalion with authorized strength of approximately 500 soldiers. In the three years I commanded the Company the Company won three “best Company” battalion award.

   During my career in the Canadian Forces Reserve, I took many courses on leadership, management and instructional technique—much of this training I reuse in my life as a professor. I was provided with many opportunities to apply this knowledge in very practical settings in some interesting situations and parts of the world. In the role of OC, I was responsible for the administration, management and leadership of approximately 120 personnel under operational field conditions. I received the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) in 1992.

   • Canadian Forces Decoration, see: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/details/199

   • Canadian Forces Decoration