Training

My training philosophy centers around clear communication, breaking barriers, and open sharing of knowledge. I believe these principles create a collaborative and inclusive environment where all students can contribute and learn.

Multidisciplinary Problem-Solving in Wireless Networking

I guide my students to tackle wireless networking challenges by using a wide range of tools and methods, moving beyond common siloed approaches. We address problems across various communication layers by applying techniques like mathematical optimization, game theory, and AI/ML. I also stress the value of combining analytical models, simulations, and prototypes to test ideas. Prototyping is particularly important to my research approach, with a significant portion of my grants dedicated to building platforms for experimentation and validation. Throughout their training, I ensure my students understand the strengths and limitations of each method so they can use them effectively and appropriately.

Collaborative Mentoring and Supervision

I promote a collaborative and supportive mentoring environment through several simple yet effective strategies. I hold weekly individual meetings with each student to discuss their progress and address any concerns. We host informal skill-building workshops or hackathons where students teach each other essential skills like deploying wireless technologies or analyzing data. I utilize collaborative online platforms to facilitate continuous idea sharing and communication outside of meetings. Additionally, I maintain a virtual and physical open-door policy, encouraging students to freely discuss any questions or concerns. At the same time, I respect and enforce the right to disconnect, ensuring that everyone has personal time free from work-related communications.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Having worked across three different countries, I have seen how diverse perspectives enrich research. Aware of the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities and women in the Computer Science discipline, I leverage my global partnerships and joint programs to recruit diverse talent. In my lab, all members are required to complete the 8-hour GBA+ training to understand how identity and social factors influence individuals' experiences. I also recommend the TCPS 2 CORE 2022 ethics training and encourage participation in the faculty support group for women. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by incoming students at my institution, especially international ones, I offer compensation to help offset the rising cost of living in Halifax and connect students with peers before arrival to assist with daily life and smooth integration. While challenges such as cultural adjustment, language barriers, and unconscious biases persist, I am committed to continuously working on myself and learning best practices to effectively address them.

Open Science, Reproducibility, and Best Practices

I am a strong advocate for open science and reproducibility. I ensure that HQP adopt practices that emphasize transparency, accessibility, and replicability. Our work is typically accompanied by data repositories and freely available software tools, which encourages broad usage and validation by the research community. We strive to follow best practices in research, including using version-controlled repositories for source code and manuscripts. Reproducibility is a core value in my lab, and I train HQP to document their methods rigorously so that their results can be fully replicated. This commitment to open science not only amplifies the visibility and impact of our work but also strengthens the principles of collaboration, integrity, and equitable access to knowledge.