Scott Bateman [he/him] is the Scientific Director for the Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Director of the SPECTRAL Spatial Computing Research Centre, Co-Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Lab, and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science.
His main research interests lie in human-computer interaction, and the new tools that can be created using applied AI and mixed reality technologies. His work is often applied to supporting work practices and collaboration, health care, and serious games for training. He is a frequent collaborator with industry partners to help inform how new technologies can be used to practically address real world challenges.
Dr. Bateman holds a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, where he spent time working as a researcher with Microsoft Research, IBM Research, and the National College of Ireland. He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Calgary and Singapore Management University and is currently a Visiting Professor at the Université de Lille.
Stijn De Baerdemacker [he/him] is the Associate Scientific Director for the Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and the Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick.
His main research focus is the development of quantum many-body methods and computational approaches to predict and investigate chemical properties on high-performance computing facilities. For this, he employs techniques from mathematical physics, and the new emerging technologies of quantum computing and machine learning. In his machine learning work, he investigates the interpretability and explainability of deep learning algorithms in chemistry, focusing on identifying the chemical features they capture, and how they can help accelerate molecular discovery.
Prior to his current position, Dr. De Baerdemacker earned a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics from Ghent University. His diverse publication list spans topics including nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, quantum chemistry, machine learning, and quantum computing. Outside of academia, Stijn holds a degree in the visual arts, and is fascinated by the interplay between arts & science, reflecting his broad interests and interdisciplinary approach.
Aaloak Jaswal has been a leader in digital transformation, innovation, ICT (Information Communication Technology) and sustainable energy, both at home and abroad throughout his career.
He recently served as Head of the UN Technology Innovation Lab in Egypt as well as Head of Digital Transformation for the Government of Botswana on behalf of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
He has many certifications in artificial intelligence, design thinking and project management.
Passionate Ncube has established himself as a dynamic force in the fields of education, humanitarian work and community leadership.
Since joining the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in 2021, he has showcased his adaptability and leadership through various roles, including being a Co-op Coordinator and Manager of Academic Advising Services.
Currently, as the Project Coordinator for RIDSAI, Passionate supports cutting-edge research in data science and artificial intelligence, driven by his commitment to developing innovative solutions with real-world impact.
Passionate's dedication extends beyond academia, as shown by his pivotal role as chairperson of the antiracism task force for the city of Fredericton. His efforts in fostering inclusive communities highlight his values of equality and social progress.
Passionate's academic achievements, including an MBA from the University of Fredericton, underscore his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Dr. Luigi Benedicenti is a full professor and dean in the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick.
Benedicenti received his Laurea in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Genoa, Italy. He is a Professional Engineer licensed in Saskatchewan and a licensed Italian Engineer.
His collaborative network extends beyond Saskatchewan with TRLabs and IEEE, and Canada through collaborative work with colleagues in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America.
Benedicenti’ s current research is in three areas: Software Agents, Software Process and New Media Technology. He envisions the unification of platform, tools, and optimizations for the provision of persistent distributed digital services, regardless of people’s location and delivery device.
André Chiasson is the Director of the Office of Humanitarian Support (BSI) of the Université de Moncton until March 2025.
Mr. Chiasson holds a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) (2002), L.L.B. (Bachelor of Law) (1997) and bachelor’s degree in history (1994) from the University of Moncton.
Having previously held this position, André Chiasson has extensive experience in organizing, implementing, and implementing implementation and evaluation of business development and partnerships in local markets, regional, national, and international.
Mr. Chiasson has held various positions within the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency that provided allowed them to develop their experience in the field of identification opportunities for new technologies.
Dr. David MaGee is the vice-president research at UNB. In his role, he provides leadership and vision in shaping UNB's strategic research direction and agenda, overseeing research-related policies and programs, and developing a higher profile for the full spectrum of research and scholarly activities in all UNB's academic units.
Currently in his second term, Dr. MaGee was first appointed vice-president research in 2017. Prior to his appointment, Dr. MaGee served as dean of science (2008-2017) and as chair of the department of chemistry (1999-2007).
In his capacity as vice-president (research), Dr. MaGee serves on the boards of several regional and national organizations, including the new Digital Research Alliance of Canada, Springboard Atlantic, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Research New Brunswick (as well as both of its pre-merger organizations, the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation and BioNB), the Canadian Consortium of Ocean Research Universities, Huntsman Marine Centre and AceNet.
A proud New Brunswicker, Dr. MaGee completed his PhD in synthetic organic chemistry at UNB in 1987. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester, he returned to UNB as a faculty member in chemistry.
His primary area of research inquiry has focused on new and/or simpler ways to make biologically interesting and structurally challenging natural products.
He has published 49 peer-reviewed articles on his research, presented at more than 80 conferences and holds five patents for significant discoveries made during his research.
Francis McGuire has extensive experience in economic development, business development, provincial and federal government leadership, as well as leading entrepreneurial and publicly traded businesses.
In his most recent experience (from 2017 to 2022), prior to establishing 797insights ltd, he was President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA) which is the federal agency focused on fostering growth and innovation in Atlantic Canada for small and medium enterprises. Francis was recognized by his commitment to NB when he was given a UNB honorary doctorate in 2017.
Prior to that (2000 to 2015) he was the President & Chief Executive Office of Major Drilling Inc, the world’s second largest mineral drilling company. It operates in 24 countries and is a publicly traded company.
During his time with Major Drilling, Francis was recognized for his leadership and entrepreneurial approach and was recognized as the CEO of the year by the Atlantic Business Magazine in 2008. In 2012 he was inducted to the JA New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Ernst & Young Atlantic Canada CEO of the year in 2013.
Prior to joining Major Drilling, Francis was Vice President of Maritime Information Technology Inc (MITI) from 1998 – 2000. During this time Francis was also the Chair of the Wallace McCain Institute from 2008 to 2017. Francis is currently a member of the NB Business Council.
From 1987 to 1998 Francis served as the Deputy Minister of New Brunswick’s Economic Development & Tourism Department where he oversaw the first government in the world to establish an Information Highway Secretariat, setting the foundation for a strong and growth-oriented environment for technology companies in New Brunswick.
Francis has sat on several local, provincial, national, and international for both private and public companies and organizations.
Adrienne brings deep leadership experience and a passion for economic and social development in New Brunswick to her role at the helm of the McKenna Institute.
Over more than 25 years in senior management positions in the public and private sectors, she has served as president and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council and COO of Atlantic Lottery Corp., among other roles.
Adrienne serves on the Board of Assumption Life and is the Chair of the UNB Faculty of Management Advisory Board. She regularly volunteers to facilitate strategic planning engagements with local community organizations.
Adrienne holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick and a BSc from Dalhousie University. She has also completed several programs through the Institute of Corporate Directors and Queen’s University’s Executive Education Program.
In 2018, Adrienne was recognized by the Ottawa-based Public Policy Forum with the Frank McKenna Award for Public Policy, presented to distinguished Atlantic Canadians who have built bridges between sectors, contributed to public policy and shown exceptional leadership. UNB’s Faculty of Business Administration has awarded her the Certificate of Achievement.
Sanjeev Seahra obtained his PhD from the University of Waterloo and has held NSERC and PPARC postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.
He is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton) and an affiliate member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
He is also the Director of AARMS (the Atlantic Association for Research in the Mathematical Sciences). In July 2024, he will begin a five-year term as the Dean of Science at the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton).
He has published over 50 peer reviewed articles on general relativity and cosmology; been the principal investigator of funded research collaborations with industry and governments; and led an AARMS Collaborative Research Group on the Mathematics of Black Holes.
His recent work on infectious disease modelling has played a role in the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and other jurisdictions.
He has been named a University Research Scholar (2022-24) by the University of New Brunswick.
He has also been awarded for his teaching; been named a Friend of Guiding by the Girl Guides of Canada for founding the “All SySTEMs Go” provincial camps; and actively promoted science via public lectures and media appearances.
He co-founded the AARMS Industrial Problem-Solving Workshop program, which has spawned many new funded collaborations between Atlantic Canadian mathematical scientists and various non-academic entities.
He has served as a member of the NSERC-Canadian Association of Physicists liaison committee.
Cathy Simpson is an Atlantic Canadian IT leader who has dedicated her career to building the region's tech capacity. Most recently, she was the Vice President, People and Culture with T4G Limited, one of the largest privately held IT firms in the region with clients throughout North America.
Cathy is a leader in the movement to use technology and innovation to drive economic growth, create thriving communities and engage citizens. She champions this evolution as Chair of the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit corporation that invests in new growth-oriented companies and applied research activities.
Her current work is an extension of her role as one of the co-founders of PropelICT, Atlantic Canada’s original tech accelerator, and she continues to mentor and advise start-up entrepreneurs in the region.
In 2015, Cathy founded UP+GO, a social enterprise building and delivering leadership programs to high school girls, teaching job ready skills, strengthening their leadership mindset, and exposing them to incredible women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), entrepreneurship and leadership.
She began her career at NBTel and Innovation where she helped launch Canada’s first IPTV service and other innovative consumer products.
Cathy is a graduate of F.C. Manning School of Business at Acadia University and lives with her family in Rothesay, NB.
Josée Tassé is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus. Since July 2021, she has also been the Chair of her department.
Her expertise is in Software Engineering, around software project management and quality assurance, with an emphasis in measurement-based decision making.
Her most recent research work has evolved to the area of Mining Software Repositories (i.e., the application of data mining techniques to solve software engineering problems).
Her focus has been on defect prediction models and on systems to provide early warnings on potentially risky situations during software development.
She has also taught courses in various other areas, the most recent ones being in algorithmics and intro to computer programming.
Across UNB, RIDSAI can tap into a broad network of engaged experts across faculties and in other research hubs, including the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training, the Institute for Biomedical Engineering and the SPECTRAL laboratory for spatial computing.
