Deep Mixture and Generative Models: Representation, Approximation, Robustness, and Application

Recent progress on deep architectures has enabled efficient representation and learning of complex high dimensional probability distributions over rich sensory data. In particular, deep mixture models and deep generative models have emerged as the most powerful techniques for this task. The proposed research aims at addressing some of the fundamental questions in this field: What […]

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Towards Diversity in VR: Impact and Evaluation

The proposed project provides an intervention on the exclusionary practices, expectations, and development of contemporary VR. The project seeks to produce a Diversity Toolkit document for developers and designers working with VR. Analyzing relevant study data based on ongoing initiatives, the student will draft areas of interest, detailing the contexts conditions that are necessary for […]

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Cluster local and global network embeddedness: implications for learning and innovation

Clusters are a geographically proximate group of inter-connected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and complementarities. They have long been recognized as motors of regional economic development. Numerous studies have found their positive influence on entrepreneurship and innovation compared to non-cluster regions. Indeed, there is an ample evidence explaining why […]

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Learning PDF Document Structures using Recursive Neural Networks

Portable Document Format or PDF is the de facto standard for presenting textual-visual content. In this project, we aim to develop a machine learning framework for PDF document understanding. Despite the recent proliferation of deep learning-based methods for the analysis and processing of natural images, there have been considerably less efforts on designing similar approaches […]

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Cited: Partnered Knowledge Mobilization Between Research and Media Organizations

This is project that creates audio documentaries that are grounded in academic research. As part of this project, Mitacs interns will work for three distinct podcasts: Cited Podcast, Crackdown, and Blue and Goldcast. These podcasts are meant for a general audience, and have wide popular and critical appeal. They are developed in a unique collaborative […]

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Intelligent Vision Based Navigation Systems

Utilizing geomatics sensors such as laser scanners, GNSS, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and photogrammetry cameras to provide mobile mapping solutions has been studied and utilized extensively in the past three decades. The data fusion between high-end mobile mapping systems such as laser scanning and imagery-based systems, and low-cost camera systems are still a fertile field […]

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Clustering Generating Mechanisms in a Mixture of Additive Noise Models

Pattern analysis is the study of patterns in observed data. One important question in pattern analysis is to find and group similar objects together, e.g., those people with cardiovascular diseases among a set of volunteers willing to donate an organ. This frequently-encountered problem in the domain of data analysis is referred to as classification and […]

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Anomaly Detection in Land Vehicle Traffic Activity

This project’s objective is to develop a capability to detect and describe anomalous situations in ground vehicle traffic. Anomalous situations are described as substantial/important changes from the traffic frequently observed for a particular route and/or time. In this sense, anomaly can be quantitatively measured by the degree of predictability of current traffic given historical observations. […]

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Cold Dark Joy: Learning to Thrive in Winter

I recently received a SSHRC for my MFA in Creative Writing thesis titled “Cold Dark Joy: Learning to Thrive in Winter.” This creative non-fiction book explores the possibility of thriving in cold, dark landscapes, particularly in circumpolar regions. To best research the possibility of cultural happiness and well-being during dark winters, I will study the […]

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Dual eye tracking for assessment of team cognition

Current assessment tools for teamwork are based on subjective assessment forms in general, objectively assess teamwork is a challenging task in the operating room. Laparoscopic surgery is a type of surgery that requires the surgeon and assistant to work cohesively, since the surgeon’s view is provided by the assistant consistently maneuvering the camera. We used […]

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Kali: Optimizing Resource Utilization in Distributed Clusters

Decreasing operational costs is a key criterion for organizations that manage compute clusters, such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Alibaba, etc. One way to decrease costs it to improve resource utilization in the cluster [13, 14]. Yet, high resource utilization can negatively affect workload performance and thus user satisfaction. Performance degradation happens when workloads running on […]

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