Programs – Current Grad Students https://gradstudents.carleton.ca Carleton University Fri, 25 Nov 2022 19:40:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.1 NPSIA Grad Student Lands Competitive Internship at NATO https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2022/npsia-grad-student-lands-competitive-internship-at-nato/ Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:52:20 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=54420 By Ellen Tsaprailis

Internships can have a significant impact on a graduate student’s experience and Daniel Nikoula is getting quite the introduction to international security at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Operational Headquarters in Brunssum, The Netherlands.

The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) master’s student is currently an intern for the Office of the Political Advisor, Allied Joint Force Command at Headquarters Brunssum—the NATO command responsible for the security of the eastern part of the Alliance, a key part of NATO’s overall deterrence and defence posture.

As the first Canadian to be working for the Political Advisor at NATO’s military headquarters, Nikoula is part of a team who advises the operational-level commander General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, an Italian general who reports directly to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

“In my team, our primary focus is connecting the military-focused work of the HQ to the wider political context in which NATO works” says Nikoula. “We provide regular political updates to the commander and his staff explaining the relevant political drivers and motivators which shape the decision-making of the 30 alliance members.”

NPSIA graduate student Daniel Nikoula is currently at Brunssum, The Netherlands for an internship at NATO military headquarters.

A recent example of his work as an intern, Nikoula explains he was tasked with delivering a briefing of the political situation in Kyrgyzstan to a NATO delegation visiting that country, as part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace initiative, that described the economic and political situation in Kyrgyzstan as well as the country’s foreign relations.

Of Ukrainian descent, Nikoula has an undergraduate degree in Political Science with a minor in Russian culture and language from the University of Ottawa. He notes that his language skills are very useful and in high demand for an internship placement at NATO.

“A lot of my work entails going through open source material in Russian or Ukrainian and extracting useful information to be added into our products or briefings,” says Nikoula.

As soon as he arrived in late August, Nikoula got straight to work and has been intrigued by the environment where people from 30 different countries are working in one place.

“It’s interesting to navigate this kind of work environment,” says Nikoula. “While it took some time before I was comfortable with all the idiosyncrasies that come along with working in the setting of a large multi-national alliance, it’s a unique opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions and history of other nations.”

Nikoula is in his second year working toward a Master of Arts in the security and defence policy stream, and is taking a directed reading course on NATO and Arctic security and policy under the supervision of Professor Stephen Saideman. Saideman is the Paterson Chair in International Affairs and Director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.

Saideman hopes there will be more internships granted to Carleton students.

“The NATO Internship gives a chance for a student to not only get some practical experience, but to do it in a mysterious organization that is not well understood and in a cool place,” says Saideman. “Daniel was in two of my classes—United States Foreign Policy and Civil-Military Relations—and demonstrated a keen curiosity into international security issues.”

Patience for Security Clearance
NATO security clearance can take up to six months but could be faster if a student already has Canadian government security clearance says Nikoula. Students should be aware to approach their graduate supervisor early on in their program if this type of internship is of interest.

The competitive process requires ample documentation such as proof of studies, resume and motivation letter. In 2021, only 62 interns were selected out of more than 4,000 applications. NATO internships also require an internship agreement with the university that is a legal document signed by the head of Carleton International.

It took Nikoula one year to complete the process to be awarded the paid internship that will last for six months.

“Students apply because it sounds like an interesting opportunity and will not really think about this complexity regarding security clearances until after the possibility becomes real,” says Saideman.

Daniel Nikoula

Opportunity Knocks
“I wish I had this opportunity when I was a student,” says Saideman. “It combines an amazing inside perspective on a critical international organization at a moment of crisis with a great location and fascinating people.”

Nikoula is grateful to have this experience.

“It’s a very challenging but rewarding experience so far. It’s a fast-paced environment and there is a lot of work to be done, but it is a phenomenal opportunity to learn a lot and I feel quite privileged to be here.”

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Graduation Stories:  First Students Graduate from Carleton’s Ethics and Public Affairs Program https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2021/graduation-stories-first-students-graduate-from-carletons-ethics-and-public-affairs-program/ Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:31:26 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=49926 Students in Carleton’s PhD program in Ethics and Public Affairs (EPAF) combine ethical analysis with social science to gain a comprehensive understanding of the options for solving particular public issues. So it made sense to Seetal Sunga and Kerry O’Neill to pursue this program. Both are two of the first EPAF graduates.

Seetal Sunga

New alumna Seetal Sunga

During her PhD, Sunga explored the ethical obligations of the state to hear and respond fully to Indigenous claims for justice. “I had the opportunity to hear directly what justice means from Indigenous advocates themselves. I looked at commissions and inquiries as state mechanisms for listening, and the types of strategic moves that should be taken by individuals within institutional structures and the state to address Indigenous justice claims.”

O’Neill’s research examined conditional cash transfer programs. These programs are an anti-poverty strategy that give cash to poor households on the condition that they make certain pre-specified investments in the human capital of their children. Her dissertation answers the question of whether state programs that attach conditions to welfare benefits are justifiable and whether a move towards unconditional cash transfers are better suited to address poverty and gender inequality.

Since it was launched in 2015, the EPAF program has attracted students with outstanding backgrounds. Sunga, for example, has been a lawyer since 1994 and had worked on justice issues relating to Indigenous peoples, including working on inquiries and commissions such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in a legal aid clinic serving Cree communities in Northern Ontario, and in the provincial public service for two provinces. She is now with the Department of Justice Canada.

Kerry O'Neill

New EPAF grad Kerry O’Neill

O’Neill was accepted into the program after completing a BA (Hons.) in Peace Studies and Philosophy at McMaster University and an MA in Philosophy at McMaster University in combination with a Water Without Borders diploma from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. The topic of her Master’s thesis was the human right to water – specifically the right to safe drinking water and the duties that arise because of its being a right.

Both had very specific reasons for applying to the EPAF program. Sunga said she was attracted to the program because of its interdisciplinary nature. “I wanted to develop and formulate my thinking into a single piece of written work and I very much wanted training and institutional support to do qualitative research.” She also was drawn to the collegial atmosphere at Carleton and the quality of supervision offered to EPAF students.

O’Neill was very interested in the EPAF program’s practicum component. “I think it’s so important to set students up for success whether in academia or in other professional/ governmental roles and providing a practicum opportunity helps students explore possible future careers.” For her practicum, O’Neill worked as an archivist and engaged in ethics-based research at Library and Archives Canada. They extended her contract so she could continue working on her archival projects after her practicum ended.

She also liked how the EPAF program situated itself at the intersection of ethical analysis and public policy research. “I wanted to become both a better philosopher and a better policy analyst and the program’s aim was to do just that by encouraging students to draw on values-based and evidence-based rationales in their doctoral projects.”

Sunga said the program helped provide her with a solid foundation for a different level of work and perhaps a different realm of work than she had previously done.

O’Neill just accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Rotman Institute of Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario where she will work on ethics questions related to COVID-19. “The principal investigators for the project are especially interested in my unique and interdisciplinary PhD training as they were looking for a candidate who could navigate values-based and evidence-based research on various issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

She is also teaching on contract at Carleton and the University of Toronto from Sept. 2021-April 2022. “It’s going to be a busy year for me.”

COVID impacted both alumni. As O’Neill points out: “Working during a pandemic is not normal – writing a dissertation during a pandemic is not normal and we all need to be kinder to ourselves given this reality. I was fortunate, however, to have people in both my professional and personal life that helped me navigate the completion of my degree during these highly difficult circumstances.”

Sunga shared that COVID did interfere with her field research and made fulfilling the requirements of her ethics protocol a bit challenging. “I would have liked to have completed my interviews with Indigenous advocates and government officials in person, but that wasn’t possible. I also missed in-person meetings and conferences. On the other hand, it was easier to take advantage of the need to stay home and stay focused.”

Both graduates appreciate the support they received from their supervisors.

Sunga shared that: “Dr. Christine Koggel (Ethics and Public Affairs) and Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller (School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies) provided critically important guidance and support throughout my program. Dr. Koggel was a fantastic mentor throughout the program and made every effort to ensure I achieved the most that I could. Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller provided indispensable guidance during the field research and dissertation writing components of my program. Without both of their expertise,  this would not have been such an amazing and enriching experience.”

O’Neill said: “Drs. Lisa Mills and Vida Panitch were a wealth of knowledge and have continued to support my research interests and professional goals. Their insights and expertise played a major role in helping me complete my dissertation. They encouraged me to apply for teaching and research positions and provided me with numerous opportunities to develop as a scholar.”

She also appreciates the generous funding she received through a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship (2019-2021) and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (2018-2019; 2019-2020).

The third student to graduate this fall from EPAF is Ozan Gurcan. Unfortunately, he was not available for an interview but did note the title of his dissertation was Genetic Discrimination and Beyond – A Proposal for Ethical Life Insurance. You can find out more about him and current students in the EPAF program by clicking here.

Jay DrydykPhilosophy Prof. Jay Drydyk, who was instrumental in creating the EPAF program said: “I am very proud of the work that Kerry, Ozan and Seetal have done. They have shown themselves to be leaders in uncovering the ethical risks attached to public policy options, and in finding innovative solutions. Having worked with them, I know how much they have to offer the public policy world. Their analytical skills and knowledge can apply not just to the particular issues that they researched, but to many related issues as well.”

The University will host a virtual graduation celebration on Nov. 13th. Sunga has been awarded a Senate medal for outstanding academic achievement.

For more information about the EPAF program, please click here.

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Unique Program in Economic Policy Launches This Fall https://carleton.ca/fpa/2021/unique-program-in-economic-policy-launches-in-2021/ Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:49:03 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=45375 Carleton Launches New Climate Change Collaborative Grad Program https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2021/carleton-launches-new-climate-change-collaborative-grad-program/ Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:28:28 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=45182 Climate Change remains a burning societal, economic and political issue.

Increased interest in examining climate change in recent years has been accompanied by a growing recognition that the sciences alone cannot adequately address the complexity of this field.

That’s the impetus behind the creation of a new graduate program at Carleton University – the Collaborative Specialization in Climate Change (CSCC).

GOOD CLIMATE CHANGE

The program allows several existing programs to partner together, as the website explains, “to examine the interconnected nature of climate change, including the impacts and potential options to manage within ecosystems, communities and institutions and explore collaborative opportunities to address this global challenge.

The specialization was developed by five program ambassadors, one from each of the five faculties at Carleton: Patrick Callery, Sprott School of Business; Barbara Leckie, Department of English Language and Literature; Alexandra Mallett, School of Public Policy and Administration; Ron Miller, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Jesse Vermaire, Institute for Interdisciplinary and Environmental Sciences and Geography and Environmental Studies.

As the ambassadors note: “Graduate students at Carleton University are well equipped to grapple with the problems of climate change within their specific programs. However, the multidisciplinary nature of the problem demands that students learn the perspectives provided through other disciplines to better understand why solutions that look promising from one point of view simply don’t work from another and vice-versa. This program provides students with that opportunity to consider the problem from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

The program draws on Carleton’s demonstrated strengths and its internationally-recognized climate change researchers across all faculties.

Students in the CSCC will examine the interconnected, global nature of problems, potential solutions, communities, institutions, and collaborative opportunities in relation to climate change.

They will take a formal cross-disciplinary survey course and a research seminar series in climate change science, history, politics, theory, culture, communication and media, adaptation, and mitigation; and, in programs where research is a component of the degree, through climate change focused research or, for course-based degrees, through relevant courses.

Graduates of the program will be better prepared to enter a global workforce that increasingly attends to risks and develops possible options to address the climate change problem. Students will gain a deeper appreciation for how other disciplines, outside their own, think about climate change and how they can work together in the quest for a sustainable and equitable future. The multidisciplinary skills gained from this specialization will be highly valued across various career paths such as industry, business, non governmental organizations, government, communication and media, and academia.

Watch Prof. Ron Miller, one of the program ambassadors, talk about this new program:

You can find out more about this program by going to the program page on this website, which features descriptions of the more than 100 graduate programs, pathways, and specializations.

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Building Better Entrepreneurs With the Technology Innovation Program https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2020/building-better-entrepreneurs-with-the-technology-innovation-program/ Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:21:19 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=40270 To leave with a degree in one hand and a business in the other is something that one third of the students in the Technology Innovation Management (TIM) program are guaranteed.

The TIM program puts an emphasis on helping train aspiring entrepreneurs, specifically students looking to launch or continue their technology-based companies.

Tran Phan

Tran Phan

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is what Tran Phan was taught by her mother at a young age. This is the motto many new entrepreneurs have and this is what ultimately led Phan to starting up her own business at a very young age.

“When I was 12 years old, I started my very first business,” explained Phan. All children in Vietnam loved reading comic books, and so did I. Children around me often could not afford to buy books and so borrowed them from each other.” Although it may be difficult to believe, I actually had a collection of more than 1,000 graphic novels. One day, I told my entire class that I decided to open a comic book rent service. My first clients were my classmates, and from word of mouth, my service spread out to the entire sixth grade. I made a lot of money doing this, and subsequently bought newly released graphic novels.”

This ultimately set Phan up for a bright future in entrepreneurship. Many students in the TIM program start off this way, with a vision and drive.

TIM student Jie Ren had her first exposure to entrepreneurship at a young age while witnessing her parents build their business from scratch during China’s Reform and Opening-up policy.

“It takes deep passion and faith for an entrepreneur to give up the sense of security and stability from a routine job or lifestyle, to assume risks and be persistent in one’s path,” emphasized Ren.

Jamie Carmichael

Jamie Carmichael

Jamie Carmichael describes the TIM program as being a toolkit for start-ups although this same toolkit can be applied to any workplace or industry.

Carmichael has taken a different approach to the TIM program. Carmichael is researching academic integrity and technology. She has taken the skills learned in the TIM program and applied them to her position at Carleton as Associate Registrar of Scheduling and Systems.

“The first course I took in the program was TIMG 5002 with Dr. Tony Bailetti, former Director of the Technology Management Innovation program, where he challenged students to form groups and create a start-up that would make a million dollars in three years,” said Carmichael. “Not an easy task as it turns out, but it provided an excellent learning opportunity and a great start to the program.”

The TIM program provides students with a unique learning experience, allowing them to choose from three different Master’s degrees. Whether it is science, entrepreneurship or engineering, TIM students are able to combine their interests with the entrepreneurship and business aspects that the program provides.

Jie Ren

Jie Ren

“I appreciate how the courses offered in the TIM program reflect both the current trend in technology innovation and each professor’s strong suit,” shared Jie Ren. “There are ample resources and programs for students to take advantage of, such as entrepreneurial trips to India, China, and Nigeria, which are all precious opportunities to get exposure to the international market,”

The TIM program allows students to take classes that can be applied to a multitude of different areas from learning about customer value to learning about the issues in technology innovation management.

To grow a company early, rapidly and securely is something that a team of TIM students are working on. They are developing a set of principles to help guide practitioners on how to grow their businesses.

Something unique to the TIM program is that it allows students the opportunity to attend face-to-face classes as well as classes concurrently delivered over the Internet. This allows students to keep up-to-date and re-watch lectures while being away from campus.

“The TIM program is well-designed for a new entrepreneur like me,” Phan explained. “I expanded my network, furthered my understanding of global business, and got inspired to propel myself to new heights. The networking and business pitch opportunities were more than just enlightening — they were vital for my success.”

The program also allows students access to other entrepreneurship initiatives at Carleton University such as the Lead To Win program or the TIM Review. The TIM Review has international contributors and readers, and it is published in association with the TIM program. The publication has focused on themes that are of interest to entrepreneurs such as smart cities or artificial intelligence.

You might be interested in reading these other stories about our TIM students:

Carleton Student Entrepreneurs Crack the Chinese Market

Entrepreneurship Carleton-Style: TIM Program Leads the Way

Carleton Launches Innovative New Online Technology Review

For more information about the TIM program, click here.

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Grad Student Interns at the Dominion-Chalmers United Church https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/grad-student-internship-at-the-dominion-chalmers-united-church/ Mon, 25 Nov 2019 17:49:37 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=40155 –The following story was written by Taia Gorguen-Garner.

“I hear you are singing in a church choir,” are the words Carleton Master’s Student Kate Jordan heard from Prof. David Dean, which led her to an internship of a lifetime.

“When I moved to Ottawa last year, I wanted to find a church choir,” explained Jordan. “As I began singing, I found out that one of the other women in the choir was a neighbour of David’s—a funny coincidence I thought, and made nothing more of it.”

Kate Jordan working in the archivesJordan has been working to collect and compile stories and memories from the congregants at the Dominion-Chalmers United Church. She is doing this through archival research and oral histories, but also by experiencing life at the church with the congregation.

“My role is simply to share some of the stories which capture the particular character of Dominion-Chalmers United Church, in the hope that it will assist the congregation as they enter into a new relationship with their place of worship,” shared Jordan. “Looking to the church’s past not only serves as a reminder of resilience, but may also help congregants to consider what defines the church, and what is important to the congregation. My greatest hope is that the memory project might strengthen the congregation at this transitory time.”

As part of her graduate degree in History, Jordan’s research specifically focuses on radical Protestant groups in England.

“While my work specifically tackles Puritans, the Presbyterian Church is also a result of the protestant schisms of (and following) the Reformation,” explained Jordan. “The church project and my research work in tandem with one another, are refining my ability to understand conflicts from the variety of perspectives held by people who have a vested interest in them. This is not just important to my research, but to the task of the historian as a whole.  I don’t think there is anything more important right now than the ability to foster empathetic understandings between differing groups.”

Carleton acquired the Dominion-Chalmers United Church in 2018.

“The building is a beautiful example of Canadian Romanesque revival architecture; its uniqueness and particular beauty demand a significant amount of upkeep, which the congregation could no longer fund,” described Jordan. “The new chapter of the building’s life, in the form of the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, honours the legacy of the churches which inhabited the space, especially in terms of its commitment to education and the performing arts.”

If Jordan had any advice to someone looking for a similar internship she would tell them not to regard it as an internship, not a work period, nor a chance for networking.

She says: “Rather, this is the opportunity to engage profoundly with memory in a way that defies a lot of what we learn in class. The university is built on an institutional system of production, and in many ways, this is a good thing. As students, we operate within a system that demands the synthesis of knowledge and information, and then the dissemination of it shortly thereafter—you read, and then you write. In a church, however, that demand is absent. Instead, the congregation, the community, and the history demand that you sit with the stories—and that you become very conscious that in participating in this project, you are becoming a part of the church’s history. In that way, you must offer something of yourself to the work that you do.”

Dr. David Dean from the Department of History, has been supervising Jordan throughout her internship.

“In an internship, as well as in a supervisory capacity, David grants me enough space that I am able to push myself, all the while remaining attentive and present to offer guidance whenever I might want it,” expressed Jordan. “David has trusted me with this project, and that has allowed me to trust myself, which is an invaluable thing to teach.”

Jordan shared that this internship has taught her various invaluable skills.

“From working with a larger team to create some longevity for the project, to relating to individuals who are in a different cultural context from me – that is probably the most important lesson I have learned. I suspect that I will continue learning how to empathize with others for the entirety of my life, but its importance extends far beyond any work I approach.”

You can find out more about the Public History graduate program by clicking here.

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Carleton to Offer New Grad Diploma in Work and Labour https://newsroom.carleton.ca/story/work-and-labour-diploma/?utm_source=HomepageBanner&utm_campaign=November2019 Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:14:58 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=40080 Check Out These New Carleton Graduate Programs https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/check-out-these-new-carleton-graduate-programs/ Wed, 13 Nov 2019 14:34:36 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=40027 Carleton has launched six new graduate programs this fall, including:

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Convocation: First Graduate from the Health Sciences Master’s Program https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/convocation-first-graduate-from-the-health-sciences-masters-program/ Thu, 07 Nov 2019 19:22:43 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=39957 –The following story was written by Suzanne Bowness.

David Roy first realized he wanted to pursue a master’s degree when he looked around the HIV clinic where he worked for nine months in Johannesburg, South Africa. He understood the need for research that would help improve the lives of the mothers and children he served. Now, he is the first MSc graduate from the Health Sciences program.

In researching programs, Roy connected with Health Sciences Prof. Edana Cassol, whose focus on HIV was a good match for his interests.

“I originally approached her and we had a lot to talk about. She decided to take me on and I was fortunate because I had a steep learning curve in the field of immunology,” says Roy. Having attended Union College near Schenectady, N.Y., on a hockey scholarship, Roy completed a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience but had never taken courses in this particular area of research.

David Roy stands in a lab setting surrounded by equipment while wearing a lab coat.

The fellowship that inspired his research in HIV had been a good match for his interest in health care and it solidified his ambitions.

“They have the highest rate of HIV in the world. One in five people who have HIV in the world are living in South Africa. It’s really the epicentre of the epidemic. Just being able to help people there, and know you’re making the slightest difference in the overall epidemic, was important to me.’’

At Carleton, Roy’s thesis focused on effects of antiretroviral drugs (anti-HIV medication) on macrophages, a type of white blood cell, and how that can lead to immune activation and chronic inflammation, which in turn can lead to higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.

Roy says he valued the intimacy of Carleton’s small department in Health Sciences. “I really liked the interaction with the professors. They’re very flexible and willing to talk with you and do whatever you needed in order to help you make it through your graduate studies. Especially as a grad student, being able to have an actual relationship with professors helps you evolve.’’

Following the completion of his degree, Roy is considering further graduate studies and ultimately medical school. “Becoming a doctor has always been my goal and that continues to be my goal.’’

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Grad Research: Creating Value With Innovative and Engaged Grad Research https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/creating-value-with-innovative-and-engaged-grad-research/ https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/creating-value-with-innovative-and-engaged-grad-research/#comments Thu, 05 Sep 2019 12:10:19 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=39079 Rawan AlkurdIt all started on a cold, dark day in February 2016. Rawan Alkurd was on her way home from class and trying to use the Internet on her phone to look up which bus she needed to take back home. After many tries, the Internet failed to work on her phone. Alkurd dreamed of a world where the network was able to recognize that it was an emergency and give her the priority over other people using the network at the same location. This led Alkurd to starting the process of creating a company of her own to solve this issue.

Says Alkurd:  “I have never stopped thinking about that thought since that day and I decided to create a solution that makes it possible.”

Alkurd is a PhD student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program. Her main research focus is in personalization in 5G wireless networks and beyond, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics.

Her research has led her to work towards creating her own company, along with her two supervisors. The company is set to launch in 2020. “Our main focus is developing this technology to build a model for personalizing current cellular networks.”

Alkurd explains that her model measures and tracks the real-time user satisfaction information in a non-intrusive manner. Then, utilizing machine learning and big data analytics, the network personalizes the process to the end user’s specific needs and requirements.

“Our developed technology helps operators to deliver mobile services profitably to subscribers in a win-win setting,” says Alkurd.

“I was always fascinated with the power of AI and machine learning and I knew that I wanted to use it to create something innovative that has value for everybody,” shares the PhD student.

Alkurd is one of the recipients of the 2016 Vanier Awards, which is a prestigious scholarship worth $50,000 per year for three years.

“The Vanier Award was one of the key factors that enabled me to start off the company,” says the graduate student. “The award made me financially independent from the industry and other organizations. It enabled me to own all of my inventions and hence, I have the right to commercialize them through the new start-up.”

Alkurd has been working under two supervisors Dr. Halim Yanikomeroglu who is a professor at Carleton with interests that span the physical, medium access, and networking layers and the cross-layer aspects of wireless communications.

Dr. Ibrahim Abualhaol is an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton and a Lead Data Scientist in a major industrial player. His expertise is in machine learning modeling and real-time big data analytics.

Says Alkurd: “They both believed in me and the idea. They gave me the choice to choose to work on something I am very passionate about. They also helped me a lot through our discussions and meetings and gave me all the support I needed to bring this idea to light. I feel very privileged to work under their guidance.”

Jeffrey Smirle, who manages Carleton University’s Innovation Transfer Office has been working with Alkurd and has aided in finalizing both a U.S. and international patent regarding Alkurd’s research.

“When I reviewed their work and their invention disclosure, I found it fascinating,” says Smirle. “There could be a really strong market for this type of application, and so I was happy to provide support for their spin-out company plan through the patent process.”

Alkurd’s vision is: “To become one of the world’s leading companies in big data-driven, AI-based personalization solutions for various types of applications.”

“In five years from today, the company will build, prototype, and commercialize the technology to personalize at least two-three applications. The first application is the cellular network personalization.”

The above story was written by Taia Goguen-Garner.

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