Notes for Prospective Students

I’m looking for enthusiastic PhD and Master’s (thesis) students (2026 fall intake) at the University of Alberta. My research playground is where software engineering meets artificial intelligence:

I generally hold a “question-driven philosophy” in research. We can explore any topic that piques your curiosity. Strong background in AI, software engineering , or cybersecurity are expected, and extract experiences in other displines (like HCI, social science, psychology, etc.) can be potentially beneficial. In the selection process, diversity will also be considered, including gender, background, and research directions.

What I’m Looking For

  • Academic Background: For PhD position applicants, a Master’s degree is super helpful (but exceptional cases are always… exceptional).
  • Research Experience: For PhD applicants, research experience is expected. A strong publication record in reputable venues is a plus. However, I look for potential and passion rather than perfection and publications. Don’t worry if you don’t have published papers yet—we all start somewhere!
  • English Skills: Comfortable chatting and writing in English.
  • Coding: You should enjoy programming and be good at it to implement great ideas. Evidence can be provided by your GitHub profile, replication packages of your previous papers.
  • Personal Style: Self-motivated with good time management.
Important

Note on Publications: Quality is valued over quantity. Publications with significant contributions in reputable venues are beneficial, while numerous publications in unknown journals/conferences are not advantageous.

What I can provide?

Funding

Note

Everyone who joins the lab gets fully funded:

  • The university covers 2/3 as a Teaching Assistantship
  • I’ll cover at least 1/3 through my research grants
  • Travel support for attending reputable conferences is also available

Generally, Edmonton offers a moderate cost of living when compared with other major cities in Canada. Please see this page for estimated expenses.

Research Training and Support

My own experiences as a student were profoundly shaped by the exceptional guidance and support I received from my mentors, which inspired my personal commitment to mentorship.

You can expect dedicated mentorship covers a diverse set of important skills in research. You can expect regular one-on-one meetings, constructive feedback on your writing, presentations, critical thinking, experimental design, etc.
We will aim for publications on top venues in the field. Importantly, we will also engage in thoughtful discussions on the responsible conduct of research and the broader societal implications of our work.

Skills and knowledge that I aim to help you develop
Note

An interesting story. Beyond supervising a few graduate students (they published papers in ICSE, ASE, S&P, ISSTA, etc.), I also teach kids in the primary school as a volunteer. But my patience seems to have an inverse relationship with student age…

Career Development

I understand that students might have concerns about working with an early-career assistant professor like me, particularly regarding the “academic capital” and network I can provide. Please be assured that your career growth is a top priority for me. I am committed to actively helping you build your professional network by facilitating introductions and fostering collaborations with other researchers. These connections can lead to valuable co-authorship opportunities, research visits, and a richer understanding of the academic landscape.

I fully support and encourage you to explore diverse opportunities that enhance your profile and career prospects; if you find a fitting short-term industry internship or a research visit to another institution that aligns with your development, I will do my best to support your application and help make it happen.

Together, we will discuss your long-term career goals, and I will offer guidance on navigating the job market, whether your aspirations lie in academia, industry research labs, or other paths. My overall goal is to help you cultivate a strong professional profile, gain diverse experiences, and access a wide range of future opportunities and possibilities.

How to Reach Out

Drop me an email with “[Master/PhD Application]” in the subject line, including:

  1. A 2-page CV
  2. Your academic transcripts
  3. Up to 3 publications in English if you have
  4. A research statement (max 2 pages) if you already have cool ideas brewing
  5. Any other relevant materials that may help me understand you better

If your interests and skills seem like a good match to our lab, I’ll get in touch to chat about possibilities. No formal interviews here - just a friendly conversation about research and your future goals. The email must be in English. I may forward your email to my colleagues (with your permission) for their evaluation or if I think they are more suitable for your career.

General Application Process

For all the official details about applications, deadlines, language requirements, scholarships, and tuition, check out the University of Alberta Graduate Studies website.

Questions? Feel free to email me anytime. I’m always happy to chat about research and potential projects!