👋🏼 Hello there, I’m Nadine!

Source: My own creation!

About Me

Academic Background ✨

My academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Software Engineering from Concordia University. This degree equipped me with a strong foundation in problem-solving and critical thinking. It has also honed my creativity and my out-of-the-box thinking — which I am now applying in my master’s thesis research at Concordia University and Mila, under the supervision of Dr. Mirco Ravanelli and Dr. Marta Kersten-Oertel. My research focuses on the intersection of AI and healthcare, specifically exploring how machine learning algorithms can improve the accuracy of medical detection systems and aid in early disease detection. This area of study has the potential to revolutionize healthcare outcomes, a cause I am proud to contribute to. Alongside this, I prioritize the ethical implications of AI in healthcare, ensuring that algorithms are developed and deployed in ways that are fair, transparent, and designed to achieve equitable outcomes. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of receiving the highly competitive NSERC CGS-M tri-agency federal award to pursue my Master’s, further solidifying my commitment to the field.

Shaping Technology and Research with Ethics, Accountability, and Inclusion 🏛️

As a committed Tech Steward, I strive to advance my understanding of systemic bias in tech and promote the ethical development of transformative technologies. By deepening my knowledge, challenging limited narratives, and practicing deliberate values, I aim to shape a more responsible and inclusive technological future. I am dedicated to using technology for social transformation and addressing pressing social issues. In addition to my work in tech ethics, I hold a TCPS 2: CORE-2022 certification in research ethics, focusing on the ethical conduct of research involving human participants. This certification reinforces my commitment to conducting data collection in an inclusive, ethical, and transparent manner, while incorporating diverse perspectives to achieve equitable outcomes.

Climate Change Initiatives ♻️

Other research interests include leveraging machine learning to address Climate Change, a cause deeply important to me. This focus not only tackles environmental concerns but also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting how addressing Climate Change can solve multiple global issues. My journey in sustainability has been ongoing, and I have actively pursued sustainability initiatives at Concordia University since 2019. This commitment led me to participate in a hands-on AI for Climate Change program through Climate Change AI, where I’m witnessing the transformative power of Machine Learning to analyze climate data and influence environmental policy through actionable insights.

Research Experience 🔍

In 2022, I received an NSERC USRA federal award to pursue a research project under the supervision of Dr. Marta Kersten-Oertel at her Applied Perception Lab in Montreal, Quebec. The project focused on identifying and addressing surgeons’ workflow challenges, developing Ventriculostomy prototypes to improve surgical workflow efficiency. The project culminated in a publication for MICCAI’s 2022 EPIMI workshop, where my team and I presented a comprehensive User-Centered Design approach to identify and address Ventriculostomy surgeons’ workflow challenges to improve surgical efficiency.

As an advocate for social justice, I’m passionate about AI applications that drive social impact. At the Applied Perception Lab, I conduct research at the intersection of AI, ethics, and EDI, developing frameworks to address societal challenges and promote responsible healthcare technology. Additionally, at Mila, I’m conducting novel research in Medical Machine Learning, focusing on early disease detection through speech analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Leadership & Community Engagement 🌟