Organizers

		Fred Popowich Simon Fraser University’s Big Data Hub - Burnaby, BC (Canada) I’ve been a professor here at SFU in computing science since 1989, coming to the west coast after completing my PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh. Although I have worked in a range of areas involving AI, much of my research has involved applications of AI to real world problems, with my passion being in how computers can be used to process human language. I’ve also spent time outside of the university with companies and organizations doing work in this area.
		Je'aime Powell Texas Advanced Computing Center - Austin, TX (USA) Je’aime Powell currently works as a Senior Systems Administrator and Technical Research Design Analyst at the Texas Advanced Computing Center(TACC) within the University of Texas at Austin. While supporting high-performance computing users, he also leads hackathons, STEM-based high school summer camps, and facilitates related training sessions. His research in the fields of Intelligent Systems and Decision Systems Support with a focus on the development of adaptive IoT environmental sensors. He holds both a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics with a Concentration in Remote Sensing and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Elizabeth City State University.
		Kelly Nolan Simon Fraser University’s Big Data Hub - Burnaby, BC (Canada) Kelly Nolan is a Strategic Partnerships Manager at Simon Fraser's Partnerships Hub. The Partnerships Hub advances SFU’s vision of Canada’s engaged university by facilitating and supporting external partnerships. She would be happy to help connect you to the right expertise and resources or explore any potential collaborations.
		Melyssa Fratkin Texas Advanced Computing Center - Austin, TX (USA) Melyssa joined TACC in July 2006. As Industrial Programs Director, she oversees TACC's corporate partnerships, international partnerships, and government relations programs. Specifically, Melyssa focuses on developing and managing collaborations between industry and academia with the Science & Technology Affiliates for Research (STAR) program. She is also developing international collaborations between TACC and its "sister" centers around the world, to promote knowledge-sharing and strengthen international research & development.
		Niall Gaffney Texas Advanced Computing Center - Austin, TX (USA) Niall Gaffney leads the Data Intensive Computing group at the Texas Advanced Computing Center, where he specializes in developing and utilizing data-driven research methods to help researchers make the most of their data. Stemming from his background as a data scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope project, his research interests range from machine learning and predictive analytics to data curration, reuse, and visualization.
		Sadaf Sadeghi Simon Fraser University’s Big Data Hub - Burnaby, BC (Canada) Sadaf Sadeghi is the Manager of SFU’s Big Data Hub – a university-wide core facility that empowers people to unlock big data for research, education, and community impact. Through her role, she provides operational direction on projects and activities, ensuring the Hub has all the tools and resources needed to enable talent, generate new knowledge and contribute to an innovative economy. Through this work, she focuses on the development and execution of key events that foster connections and collaborations between industry, government, and communities. Sadaf obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Sciences from SFU, where her studies focused on health policy and analysis.