Team

PhD in Computer Science
Lead Researcher – Learning Analytics in AI

Vive Kumar is Full Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at Athabasca University, Canada as well as a scientist, learning analytics expert and researcher into learning and training technologies. He completed his bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Physics with a minor in Mathematics (1987) as well as a Master’s degree in Computer Science Applications (1990) at Bharathiar University, India. He earned his doctoral degree in Computer Science (PhD) from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, as the best graduating student in 2001. His academic career spans 3 universities – Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada; Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand; and Athabasca University, Edmonton, Canada. Dr. Vive Kumar’s background in learning analytics spans over two decades since his United Nations fellowship in the early 90s followed by his doctoral studies in the same area at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. He held the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Discovery Grant on Anthropomorphic Pedagogical Agents, funded by the Government of Canada. His research focuses on developing anthropomorphic agents, which mimic and optimize human-like traits to better assist learners in their regulatory and domain tasks. His research includes technology-enhanced erudition methods that employ Big Data Learning Analytics, Self-Regulated Learning, Co-Regulated Learning, Authentic Learning, Causal Modelling, and Machine Learning, to facilitate deep learning. Professor Kumar has been pursuing this area of research since 1989. He is an IEEE senior member.

See also:

• Vive Kumar Personal Page
• SCIS Vive Kumar
• Full Professor – School of Computing and Information Systems
• Phone 1: 1 (866) 213-8215
• Phone 2: 1 (780) 929-6979
• Toll-free Phone: 1 (866) 213-8215
• Mobile Phone: 1 (780) 707-7895 or 1 (780) 690-3900
• Email: vive@athabascau.ca

PhD in PE and Recreation
Researcher – Data analysis, Experimental design, Technology User Experience

Shawn Fraser is a Professor of Health Studies in the Faculty of Health Disciplines and Interim Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. Shawn has previously served as the Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning in the Faculty of Health Disciplines and as the Master of Health Studies/Master of Nursing Graduate Program Director. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Regina in 1995. He completed a Master’s degree in Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan in 1999. He obtained his PhD in Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Alberta in 2006. He studies health behaviour change and mental stress responses in cardiac rehabilitation patients. He also belongs to the Learning Analytics research group at Athabasca University with contributions in data analysis (statistic techniques), experimental design, and technology user experience (instrument development) fields. He teaches research methods courses in the Faculty of Health Disciplines and is interested in interdisciplinary approaches to studying and teaching research methods and data analysis. He has been involved in graduate programming, teaching, and administration since joining Athabasca University in 2006.

UGRD in Computer Science
Research Assistant – Data Scientist

David Boulanger is an undergraduate student in Computing and Information Systems, and data scientist involved in the learning analytics research group at Athabasca University. His primary research focus is on observational study designs and the application of computational tools and machine learning algorithms in learning analytics including writing analytics.

David Boulanger has won a Best Paper Award at the ICSLE 2014: “Optimizing Learning through Smart Causal Analytics on Learning (SCALE)”

UGRD in Computer Science
Research Assistant – Information Systems Engineer

Jeremie Seanosky is an undergraduate student at the School of Computing and Information Systems at Athabasca University and a researcher with the Learning Analytics research group led by Prof Vivekanandan Kumar. Jeremie designs, develops and deploys cutting-edge (e.g., AI & deep learning), immersive (e.g., augmented reality), analytics-driven (e.g., facial recognition), just-in-time (e.g., real-time feedback) and knowledge-based (e.g., cognitive models) software solutions for human learning, personnel testing and industry training. His areas of research interests include bigdata analytics; learning analytics sensors; failsafe data collection, retrieval, analysis; virtual reality; augmented reality; and automated assessment.

Jeremie Seanosky has won a Best Paper Award at the ICSLE 2014: “Optimizing Learning through Smart Causal Analytics on Learning (SCALE)”

B.S. in Computer Science
Information Architect

Chris Maton earned Computing Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He has been with Athabasca University for the past 15 years. His experience includes the development of applications with a mix of programming languages for industries from manufacturing to oilfield hauling and servicing. He is an experienced Systems Administrator on Linux and Windows servers. He also has extensive knowledge of both the Moodle learning management system and Alfresco content management system.

Talented with systems administration and software development skills, Chris has brought extensive assistance to various researchers and research groups to promote the Faculty of Science and Technology which resulted in the advancement of our learning analytics projects and research. Notable examples include management and administration of technical infrastructure for NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Adaptivity and Personalization in Informatics, IEEE Technical Committee for Learning Technology knowledge management website, learning management system administration for learning analytics implementations involving writing skills and programming, to name a few.

Email: chrism@athabascau.ca

UGRD in Management
Research Assistant – Agile Project Manager & Communication Coordinator

Isabelle Guillot is an undergraduate student in Management and the Agile project manager and Communication coordinator of the Learning Analytics Research Group at Athabasca University. She holds a Publicity Chair position for the International Association of Smart Learning Environments (IASLE) conferences. She also has a Professional Scrum Master certification (PSM I). Her areas of research interests include user experience with learning analytics tools, and Lean & Agile project management in industry-academia research projects.

UGRD in Computer Science
Research Assistant – Systems Architect & Software Developer

Rebecca Guillot is an undergraduate student in Computing and Information Systems, and research assistant at Athabasca University. She is the lead Technical Operations Chair for the International Association of Smart Learning Environments (IASLE) conferences. Her areas of research interests include interactive and visual environments in learning analytics, virtual reality, augmented reality, math analytics, music analytics, self-regulated learning, co-regulated learning, and computer-supported collaborative learning.

UGRD in Design
Research Assistant – 3D Modeling Graphic Designer

Claudia Guillot is an undergraduate student in graphic design and research assistant at Athabasca University. Her areas of research interests include graphic design of highly attractive computer-supported learning environments in learning analytics, 3D modelling, and music analytics.

Grad in Computer Science
Researcher – Health Analytics

Diane Mitchnick holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems and is currently working on her graduate thesis. Her research areas encompass neural networks and artificial intelligence, and her goal is to leverage these into a healthcare analytics package that will provide insight into learning the diagnostic behaviour of adult ADHD (see MHADS project). Diane lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she works full-time as a programmer analyst for the City of Calgary.

UGRD in Computer Science
Research Assistant – Software Developer

Colin Pinnell is a research assistant and student at Athabasca University. His areas of research interests include artificial intelligence techniques and their correlation to neuroanatomy, augmented reality and its application in human-computer interfaces, and pattern detection in big data. He worked on the SCRL, and game and sports analytics projects.

Researcher – Sport Analytics
PhD in Communication / Postdoctoral fellow

Geof Glass is currently conducting research in sports analytics. He has been a professional software developer since 1991 and has completed his PhD in Communication at Simon Fraser University. His areas of research interests are commons, technology, culture, and copyright.

Master’s Degree – In progress

Master’s Degree – In progress

Master’s Degree – In progress

PhD – In progress

Geetha Paulmani is a Doctoral Student in School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus. She completed her bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Computer Science as the best outgoing student and with a gold medal in 1993. She completed her Master’s degree in Computer Science Application at Bharathiar University, India in 1996. She is a Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma from Indian Statistical Institute, Chennai. She started her professional career after her Master’s degree, as a software developer at Tata Consultancy Services, India, where she played various roles such as Project Manager, Requirements & Design Manager, Business Process Manager and Portfolio manager across various industry practices such as Retail, Telecom, Banking and Manufacturing. With about 20 years of experience, she is currently an Enterprise Agile Coach at McKinsey & Company, India. She is an active member of India Sudar, an NGO committed to transforming science education in schools. She is a life-time member of Empowering Women in IT, a professional network of women. Her research interests include Research Methods Education, Information Literacy, Lean-Agile Learning, Self-Regulated Learning, Co-Regulated Learning and Design Science Research. She is passionate about improving research productivity.

Master’s Degree – In progress

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Graduated

Amin Mousavi is an Assistant Professor of Psychometrics, Classroom Assessment, and Measurement at the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan. His main area of interest for teaching and research is quantitative methodology in Social and behavioral sciences. He conducts research in the area of educational and psychological measurement with a focus on person fit analysis, parameter estimation and computer assisted testing/assessment; unidimensional and multidimensional Item Response Theory; psychometrics of instrument development; Latent variable modeling; Educational Data Mining; Application of advanced statistical techniques such as multigroup, multilevel and mixture modeling.

Bachelor’s Degree – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD / Postdoctoral fellow

Chaohua Gong is currently Assistant Professor in the School of Computer & Information Science, Southwest University, China. She received her PhD degree in Educational Technology from Beijing Normal University in 2013. As a visiting scholar in Athabasca University, she got the scholarship from CANADA-CHINA SCHOLAR EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (CCSEP) in 2017. Her current research interests focus on exploring the effectiveness of digital textbook in classroom in Smart Learning Environment and smart detecting method of mind wandering. She has published more than 20 academic papers in journals and conferences.

Researcher

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Clayton Clemens graduated from Athabasca University in 2017 with a Master of Science in Information Systems. His research focused on leveraging natural language processing and artificial intelligence to create a causal model describing the development of student writing competences. Clayton lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he works full-time as a Data Storyteller for the City of Edmonton’s Open City and Technology branch.

Researcher

Master’s Degree – In Progress

PhD – Researcher

Master’s Degree – In Progress

BScCS – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Graduated

Junfeng Yang is a professor and dean of the Department of Educational Technology in Hangzhou Normal University. He earned the title of “Zhejiang Young Zhijiang social science scholar”, “Hangzhou new century 131 scholar”. He has published more than 30 academic papers, including SSCI journal papers and outstanding Chinese journal papers.

PhD / Postdoctoral fellow

Kannan Govindarajan is presently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Digital Science Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA from May 2017. He has completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering at Anna University, India. After he finished his Ph.D., he joined as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Athabasca University, Canada for the period of March 2015 – April 2017. He has 14+ years of Research and Development (R &D) experience. His areas of interest include Big Data and Analytics, High-Performance Computing, Learning Analytics, Machine, Learning, Cloud Computing, Grid Computing, and Virtualization. He received the Pro Development Initiative Grant (PDIG) from Indo-Canadian Shastri Institute for visiting Athabasca University, Canada in 2012. He has published 5+ high impact factor journals and nearly 40+ papers in various renowned International/National conferences. Also, he has received patents for his inventions.

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Computer Science

Kinshuk is the Dean of the College of Information at the University of North Texas. After completing first degree from India, Dr. Kinshuk earned his Masters’ degree from Strathclyde University (Glasgow) and PhD from De Montfort University (Leicester), United Kingdom. He was Full Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems and Associate Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, at Athabasca University, Canada. He held the NSERC/CNRL/Xerox/McGraw Hill Research Chair for Adaptivity and Personalization in Informatics, funded by the Federal government of Canada, Provincial government of Alberta, and by national and international industries. His work has been dedicated to advancing research on the innovative paradigms, architectures and implementations of online and distance learning systems for individualized and adaptive learning in increasingly global environments. Areas of his research interests include learning analytics; learning technologies; mobile, ubiquitous and location aware learning systems; cognitive profiling; and interactive technologies. He is an IEEE senior member.

Kinshuk’s Personal Website

Researcher

PhD – Graduated

Researcher

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Researcher

PhD / Postdoctoral fellow

Dr. Moushir M. El-Bishouty is an Academic Expert at Athabasca University and a Senior Consultant – Research, Innovation and Analytics at Alberta Health Services, Canada. Since April 2011, he works as Assistant Professor at City for Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Egypt. He earned his PhD from University of Tokushima, Japan (Department of Information Science and Intelligent Systems). Dr. El-Bishouty’s research interests include learning analytics, ubiquitous and mobile learning, adaptivity and personalization, knowledge awareness, and artificial intelligence. He has published more than 40 refereed journal papers, book chapters, and international conference papers. Besides, he received many recognized international awards.

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Graduated

Researcher

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

PhD – Graduated

Dr. Stella Lee has over 20 years of progressive experience internationally in consulting, planning, designing, implementing, and measuring digital learning initiatives with higher education, government, NGOs, and the private sectors. Today her focus is on large scale learning projects including enterprise-wide e-learning strategy and governance, digital ethics for learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-learning applications, corporate universities, learning management system (LMS) design, evaluation and implementation, learning analytics, digital transformation and change management. Stella has served as subject matter expert in evaluating e-learning standards for the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and conducted postdoctoral research with iCore Research Lab at Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University. She holds a BFA in Art and Design, a MA in Communications, and a PhD in Computer Science with a focus on adaptive learning technology. Stella serves as Canada’s Startup Advisor and is the technology columnist for Training Industry Magazine. She is a regular international speaker, and has been invited to speak at organizations such as University of Auckland, Cambridge University, Suncor Energy, the United Nations, and Google. She runs a consulting company called Paradox Learning Inc. (www.paradoxlearning.com).

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Steven Harris has completed his Master’s degree in information systems at Athabasca University in 2018.  Steven’s general research area is sentiment analysis and artificial intelligence – especially as it relates to applications in online education.  His research includes the development of specialized classifiers, based on a number of different algorithms and natural language processing techniques.

Steven host the Information System Professional (ISP) designation from the Canadian Information Processing Society, the Certified Web Analyst (CWA) designation from the Digital Analytics Association, and a Certificate in Web Intelligence from UC Irvine. He also teaches a variety of statistics, computer science, and business courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada.

Steven has authored or co-authored a number of papers related to his research area – including papers presented at T4E2014, the 2014 EdTech Forum, and Springer publication on Causal Models and Big Data Learning Analytics. He has been a Research Assistant working under the NSERC/iCORE Research Chain. His business experience involves working with a wide variety of organizations, including a number of Canadian financial institutions, 3M, CNN, Ford, SAP, Google, and World Vision.

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Bachelor’s Degree – Graduated

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Vahid Bahreman has completed his Master’s degree in Information Systems at Athabasca University from 2015-2017. During that period, he was a member of the LA research group. Vahid’s general research areas are Educational Technologies and Big Data Analytics. He has authored and co-authored four papers related to his research areas. His business experience involves Oil Field Services. Vahid is currently working at Trican Well Services as an Equipment Operator.

Master’s Degree – Graduated

Walter Ridgewell is an Information Systems professional with 25+ years of experience now applying that knowledge as an educator & researcher. Completing his Masters’ degree in Information Systems at Athabasca University (AU), his research areas involved the implementation of Online virtual worlds with regards to information security and the use of Multiuser Virtual Environments (MUVE) combined with Learning Management Systems for the creation of enhanced intelligent/adaptive learning environments. This translates to an interest in Immersive environments both Virtual and Augmented reality based and their implementation and application for research and learning. Walter is a member of the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) holding the professional designations of Information Systems Professional (I.S.P) and Information Technology Certified Professional of Canada (ITCP). Previous research associations at AU include the Center for State and Legal studies and the iCORE Model Tracing Group. Since 2014 Walter has been a Tutor/Academic Expert with School of Computing and Information systems at Athabasca University for courses in Computer and Network Security, Computer Networking and Game Design/Programming.

Master’s Degree – Researcher

Master’s Degree – Researcher