SFU's School of Computing Science has many faculty members with expertise in data science, data engneering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision, computer graphics, deep learning, information and network security, and more. Our faculty's expertise spans across the vast spectrum of computer science. Here, we present the faculty members that students in the Masters of Big Data, Visual Compputing and Cybersecurity are most likely to encounter during the course of their studies. For a full listing of Computing Science faculty, including their contact information, please visit this page.

Ali Mahdavi-Amiri

Email: amahdavi@sfu.ca

Ali is an assistant professor in the School of Computing Science at SFU, associate director of the MPCS, and the director of research at MARZ. He leads and manages several industrial and research projects related to computer vision, machine learning, and computational fabrication. He teaches both of the MPCS lab courses with computer vision and computer graphics focus, allowing him to cover the most recent and interesting topics in visual computing. Students taking these courses also have the chance to work with companies that operate in the area of visual computing. In his spare time, Ali goes for runs, reads books, watches movies, and enjoys gardening. 

Education

  • PhD in Computer Science, University of Calgary, 2015
  • MSc in Computer Science, Sharif University of Technology, 2009

Courses

  • CMPT 732: Professional Master's Program Lab I (G200: Computer Vision & Computer Graphics Focus)
  • CMPT 733: Professional Master's Program Lab II (G200: Computer Vision & Computer Graphics Focus)

Jiannan Wang

Email: jnwang@sfu.ca

Jiannan Wang is an associate professor and the director of  the MPCS at Simon Fraser University. He assisted in designing two popular big data lab courses for the program and has trained hundreds of big data master’s students. Many of the students are now working as data scientists or data engineers in Canada, helping to close Canada’s big data talent gap. His personal interests include hiking and reading. 

Education

  • PhD in Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, 2013
  • BSc in Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2008

Courses

  • CMPT 733: Professional Master's Program Lab II (G100: Data Science & Data Engineering Focus)

On sabbatical leave starting September 2022.

Greg Baker

Email: ggbaker@cs.sfu.ca

Greg has been a lecturer in Computing Science at SFU since 2000, and teaching big data since 2015. His other courses include topics like web systems, data science, and programming languages. Having worked with seven MPCS student cohorts, he has been impressed by the students' skill and professionalism. He has been able to spend many hours in lab sessions with them, and has enjoyed every minute. When not teaching, Greg enjoys travel and hopes to be able to do more in the coming post-pandemic years.

Education

  • MSc in Computing Science Simon Fraser University, 2000
  • BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science, Queen’s University, 1998

Courses

  • CMPT 732: Professional Master's Program Lab I (G100: Data Science & Data Engineering Focus)

Steven Bergner

Email: sbergner@sfu.ca

Steven Bergner's history with SFU goes back at least 17 years when he worked on a variety of computer science projects as a research assistant. He completed his PhD at the School of Computing Science in 2011 and then worked as a post-doctoral fellow at SFU's Statistics and Actuarial Science department. Steven is an experienced computer scientist with specialized knowledge in areas like mathematical finance, data analysis, computer graphics, and human interfaces. He brings a rich blend of skills from his industry and research engagements to his instructional practice and has been teaching professional computer science since 2017.

Education

  • PhD in Computing Science, Simon Fraser University, 2011
  • MSc in Computational Visualistics, Otto-von-Guericke University, 2003

Courses

  • CMPT 733: Professional Master's Program Lab II (G100: Data Science & Data Engineering Focus)

Mohammad Tayebi

Email: tayebi@cs.sfu.ca

Mohammad Tayebi is a research associate in the School of Computing Science at SFU, where he received his PhD in 2015. His research interest is in the applications of machine and deep learning in public safety and cybersecurity. Mohammad designed the curriculum for the professional master's lab section with computer systems security focus and taught it from 2020. In his free time he enjoys backpacking, camping, hiking, running, soccer, cooking, music, photography, reading and writing.

Education

  • PhD in Computing Science, Simon Fraser University, 2015
  • MSc in Computer Science, Amirkabir University of Technology, 2008
  • BSc in Computer Science, University of Tabriz, 2005

Courses 

  • CMPT 732: Professional Master's Program Lab I (G300: Computer Systems Security Focus)

Khaled Diab

Email: kdiab@sfu.ca

Khaled's research interests broadly span computer networking and systems, with the main objective of making networked systems run more efficiently. His work addresses a variety of challenges at application and network levels, such as datacenter networking, multimedia systems, and cloud gaming. He received his PhD from the School of Computing Science at SFU, and previously worked as a research assistant at Qatar Computing Research Institute in the distributed systems group. Khaled encourages students to try new ideas, rethink assumptions, and “break things” to better understand the systems we study. He advocates for an open learning environment, where students can discuss, question, and critically think about ideas.

Education

  • PhD in Computing Science, Simon Fraser University, 2019
  • BSc in Computer Engineering, Cairo University, 2011

Courses

  • CMPT 733: Professional Master's Program Lab II (G300: Computer Systems Security Focus)

Guillaume Colley

Email: guillaume_colley@sfu.ca

Guillaume Colley is a data science and analytics professional with over 15 years of experience in various industries. Currently managing customer modelling at Lululemon, Guillaume had previously worked in telecommunications, retail, health, and finance. In 2021, Guillaume identified an opportunity for MPCS students to learn how to apply their technical skills to business situations and created a "Data Science for Business" course for the program which he has been delivering. He enjoys helping the next generation of data scientists grow into market-ready professionals. Outside of working hours, Guillaume can be found exploring the local mountains on foot or on skis.

Education

  • MSc in Mathematics and Modelling, Blaise-Pascal University, 2004

Courses

  • CMPT 889: Data Science for Business

George Chow

Email: george@overcoil.com

George is a keen data management technologist with product engineering experience in data warehousing and query processing ranging from in-house ERP system to cloud-based/hyperscale query services. He recognizes that both products and the teams that build or operate them require care and nurturing. He likes to ask questions and solve the problems behind the questions. George has been an advisor to the MPCS program since its inception. He enjoys advocating for and training data-driven tech professionals who are building the future. He holds an avid interest in the history and intersection of technology, mathematics and the arts.

Education

  • BSc Combined Honours in Computer Science & Mathematics,
    University of British Columbia, 1992

Courses

  • CMPT 732: Programming for Big Data 1

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