Research Team

Nicholas Annable is a Ph.D. Candidate in Software Engineering at McMaster University. He received a Master’s degree (2020) and Bachelor of Engineering (2017) from McMaster University. His main research interests are in model-driven engineering, model-based safety assurance, safety-critical systems and systems engineering in general.

Nicholas Annable is a Ph.D. Candidate in Software Engineering at McMaster University. He received a Master’s degree (2020) and Bachelor of Engineering (2017) from McMaster University. His main research interests are in model-driven engineering, model-based safety assurance, safety-critical systems and systems engineering in general.

Sathurshan Arulmohan is in his third year of software engineering undergraduate degree. He has completed  two internships at McSCert working in projects related to autonomous driving features, traffic simulations, and analyzing NLP tools. He is also an active member of McMaster’s ecoCAR team where he transfers skills and knowledge between the team and McSCert.

Sathurshan Arulmohan is in his third year of software engineering undergraduate degree. He has completed  two internships at McSCert working in projects related to autonomous driving features, traffic simulations, and analyzing NLP tools. He is also an active member of McMaster’s ecoCAR team where he transfers skills and knowledge between the team and McSCert.

Dr. Victor Bandur received his B.S. and M.A.Sc. degrees from McMaster University.  He received his PhD from the University of York, UK in the area of three-valued logics and software specification.  He has researched safety assurance at the University of York and software aspects of cyber-physical systems at Aarhus University, Denmark.  He joined McSCert in 2018 as Postdoctoral Fellow.  Dr. Bandur is currently Principal Research Engineer, focusing on the next generation of in-vehicle computer and network architectures.

Dr. Victor Bandur received his B.S. and M.A.Sc. degrees from McMaster University.  He received his PhD from the University of York, UK in the area of three-valued logics and software specification.  He has researched safety assurance at the University of York and software aspects of cyber-physical systems at Aarhus University, Denmark.  He joined McSCert in 2018 as Postdoctoral Fellow.  Dr. Bandur is currently Principal Research Engineer, focusing on the next generation of in-vehicle computer and network architectures.

Jacob Brodersen is an undergraduate student currently studying Software Engineering and Management at McMaster University.  He is entering his third year of study.  He is interested in software, mathematics, and business.  Currently, Jacob is working as a Research Assistant at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre.  This work focuses on Generative AI for Test Automation.

Jacob Brodersen is an undergraduate student currently studying Software Engineering and Management at McMaster University.  He is entering his third year of study.  He is interested in software, mathematics, and business.  Currently, Jacob is working as a Research Assistant at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre.  This work focuses on Generative AI for Test Automation.

Computer Scientist, educated as a mathematician, worked as a software engineer in industry for 11 years. Currently working on generative programming, formalized mathematics, approaches to (very) long term software engineering, and programming language theory.

Computer Scientist, educated as a mathematician, worked as a software engineer in industry for 11 years. Currently working on generative programming, formalized mathematics, approaches to (very) long term software engineering, and programming language theory.

Arthur Faron is pursuing an M.A.Sc. in software engineering at McMaster University. He previously completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering & Society (Co-op) at McMaster University. He is currently the Connected & Autonomous Vehicle lead for the McMaster EcoCAR team competing in the EcoCAR EV Challenge.

Arthur Faron is pursuing an M.A.Sc. in software engineering at McMaster University. He previously completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering & Society (Co-op) at McMaster University. He is currently the Connected & Autonomous Vehicle lead for the McMaster EcoCAR team competing in the EcoCAR EV Challenge.

Federico Formica is a Ph.D. student in Software Engineering at McMaster University, collaborating with McSCert on research projects. He received an M.Sc and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy), where he focused on Robotics, Mechatronics, and Control Theory. He is interested in safety and testing methodologies of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the unique challenges this type of system creates. He is researching techniques to automatically generate test cases for testing CPS from several domains using Matlab and Simulink.

Federico Formica is a Ph.D. student in Software Engineering at McMaster University, collaborating with McSCert on research projects. He received an M.Sc and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy), where he focused on Robotics, Mechatronics, and Control Theory. He is interested in safety and testing methodologies of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the unique challenges this type of system creates. He is researching techniques to automatically generate test cases for testing CPS from several domains using Matlab and Simulink.

Dr. Hoyos’s expertise is in Model-Based Systems and Software Engineering with special interest in Model Management (validation, transformation, comparison, etc.). He received his PhD from the University of York (UK) in the area of Large Scale Complex IT Systems with a focus on Model-to-Model transformations.  He has spent several years doing research in academia and industry, applying model driven engineering techniques. He is a committer at the Epsilon, an  open source, model management framework. He joined McSCert in 2022 as Postdoctoral Fellow.

Dr. Hoyos’s expertise is in Model-Based Systems and Software Engineering with special interest in Model Management (validation, transformation, comparison, etc.). He received his PhD from the University of York (UK) in the area of Large Scale Complex IT Systems with a focus on Model-to-Model transformations.  He has spent several years doing research in academia and industry, applying model driven engineering techniques. He is a committer at the Epsilon, an  open source, model management framework. He joined McSCert in 2022 as Postdoctoral Fellow.

Dr. Lawford’s expertise includes automotive software development, functional safety, software certification, application of formal methods to critical real-time systems and tool-supported safety-critical software engineering. His group has developed methods and tools to support software engineering methods in Matlab/Simulink. He is the software and functional safety advisor for the McMaster Engineering EcoCAR 3 team. He was a co-founder and a former Director of McSCert.

Dr. Lawford’s expertise includes automotive software development, functional safety, software certification, application of formal methods to critical real-time systems and tool-supported safety-critical software engineering. His group has developed methods and tools to support software engineering methods in Matlab/Simulink. He is the software and functional safety advisor for the McMaster Engineering EcoCAR 3 team. He was a co-founder and a former Director of McSCert.

Natasha Lawford is an undergraduate student studying Software Engineering at McGill University. She is a research student supervised by Dr. Wassyng and Dr. Paige.  She has a keen interest in model-based development of safety critical systems, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

Natasha Lawford is an undergraduate student studying Software Engineering at McGill University. She is a research student supervised by Dr. Wassyng and Dr. Paige.  She has a keen interest in model-based development of safety critical systems, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

Currently, Tiago is a Ph.D. Candidate in Software Engineering at McMaster University and a Research Assistant for McSCert industrial projects. Before moving to Canada, he spent several years working in industry for a well-known R&D company in Brazil on various medical engineering projects, most of them towards medical ultrasound applications. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Physics and Biomedical Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar, Brazil) and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, Brazil), respectively. His research interests lie in model-based development, system engineering, and functional safety and hazard analysis for software-intensive safety-critical systems, in addition to signal/image processing techniques applied to medical imaging systems.

Currently, Tiago is a Ph.D. Candidate in Software Engineering at McMaster University and a Research Assistant for McSCert industrial projects. Before moving to Canada, he spent several years working in industry for a well-known R&D company in Brazil on various medical engineering projects, most of them towards medical ultrasound applications. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Physics and Biomedical Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar, Brazil) and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, Brazil), respectively. His research interests lie in model-based development, system engineering, and functional safety and hazard analysis for software-intensive safety-critical systems, in addition to signal/image processing techniques applied to medical imaging systems.

Mina (Azam) Mahdipour received her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Tehran University.  Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in computing and software under the supervision of Dr. Mosser.  Her research interests include software development, software testing, and software maintenance.

Mina (Azam) Mahdipour received her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Tehran University.  Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in computing and software under the supervision of Dr. Mosser.  Her research interests include software development, software testing, and software maintenance.

Dr. Tom Maibaum is a world-leading researcher in software engineering, with extensive experience in formal specification, formal methods, component-based development, and model-driven development. He held the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Foundations of Software Engineering.

Dr. Tom Maibaum is a world-leading researcher in software engineering, with extensive experience in formal specification, formal methods, component-based development, and model-driven development. He held the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Foundations of Software Engineering.

Abdullah joined McMaster University in the fall of 2018. He is currently studying Software Engineering.

Abdullah joined McMaster University in the fall of 2018. He is currently studying Software Engineering.

Claudio Menghi received his BSc and MSc degrees in computer science from the Politecnico di Milano where he later obtained his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Prof. Carlo Ghezzi in 2015. From 2017 to 2018, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers. From 2018 to 2021, he was a Research Associate at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust, University of Luxembourg. He is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University.

His research interests are in formal methods and software engineering, with specific interests in cyber-physical systems, robotics, and formal verification. He has spent several years doing research with industry and applying formal methods and software engineering techniques in industrial contexts. In particular, he has led research projects with several industry partners: BOSCH and PAL Robotics in the robotics domain, and LuxSpace and QRA Corp in the aerospace and cyber-physical domain.

Claudio Menghi received his BSc and MSc degrees in computer science from the Politecnico di Milano where he later obtained his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Prof. Carlo Ghezzi in 2015. From 2017 to 2018, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers. From 2018 to 2021, he was a Research Associate at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust, University of Luxembourg. He is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University.

His research interests are in formal methods and software engineering, with specific interests in cyber-physical systems, robotics, and formal verification. He has spent several years doing research with industry and applying formal methods and software engineering techniques in industrial contexts. In particular, he has led research projects with several industry partners: BOSCH and PAL Robotics in the robotics domain, and LuxSpace and QRA Corp in the aerospace and cyber-physical domain.

Sebastien Mosser’s research interests are related to software engineering, and more specifically, scalable software composition, domain-specific languages and modelling. In addition, Sebastien applies his research to various domains such as cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, and, more recently, source code and micro-services architecture. His research has been conducted closely with industrial partners and has led to several technological transfers.

He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Université de Nice (France) in 2010. He was a postdoctoral student at Inria Lille-Nord Europe in 2011 before joining SINTEF (Oslo, Norway) as a research scientist. He then joined Université Côte d’Azur in 2012, where he was an Assistant and then Associate Professor in charge of the Master of Software Architecture. Before joining McMaster University, he was an Associate Professor of Software Engineering at Université du Québec à Montréal from 2019 to 2021.

Sebastien Mosser’s research interests are related to software engineering, and more specifically, scalable software composition, domain-specific languages and modelling. In addition, Sebastien applies his research to various domains such as cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, and, more recently, source code and micro-services architecture. His research has been conducted closely with industrial partners and has led to several technological transfers.

He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Université de Nice (France) in 2010. He was a postdoctoral student at Inria Lille-Nord Europe in 2011 before joining SINTEF (Oslo, Norway) as a research scientist. He then joined Université Côte d’Azur in 2012, where he was an Assistant and then Associate Professor in charge of the Master of Software Architecture. Before joining McMaster University, he was an Associate Professor of Software Engineering at Université du Québec à Montréal from 2019 to 2021.

Ahsan Muzammil is a dedicated and passionate software engineering student, currently entering his third year of study. With a keen interest in cutting-edge technology and a passion for innovation, Ahsan has embarked on his first internship at McSCert. Here, he is gaining invaluable experience by working on the application of generative AI for test automation. At McSCert, Ahsan is excited to leverage his knowledge and enthusiasm for AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible in software testing.

Ahsan Muzammil is a dedicated and passionate software engineering student, currently entering his third year of study. With a keen interest in cutting-edge technology and a passion for innovation, Ahsan has embarked on his first internship at McSCert. Here, he is gaining invaluable experience by working on the application of generative AI for test automation. At McSCert, Ahsan is excited to leverage his knowledge and enthusiasm for AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible in software testing.

Dr. Paige’s expertise is in Model-Based Systems and Software Engineering and technology transfer, with a particular focus on safety-critical systems and large-scale software deployment. He has published extensively on these and related topics, and is involved with a number of open-source projects on Model-Driven Engineering. He is on the editorial board for Springer’s Software and Systems Modeling, Springer’s Empirical Software Engineering, and the platinum open-access JOT Journal. He is the current Director of McSCert.

Dr. Paige’s expertise is in Model-Based Systems and Software Engineering and technology transfer, with a particular focus on safety-critical systems and large-scale software deployment. He has published extensively on these and related topics, and is involved with a number of open-source projects on Model-Driven Engineering. He is on the editorial board for Springer’s Software and Systems Modeling, Springer’s Empirical Software Engineering, and the platinum open-access JOT Journal. He is the current Director of McSCert.

Dr. Vera Pantelic’s main research interests include development and certification of safety-critical software systems and model-based development.  She brings extensive experience in tool-supported model-based design of automotive software to this project, as well as knowledge of ISO 26262 compliance.

Vera is a reviewer for a number of journals, including: IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, and International journal of Control and conferences, including the International Conference on Application of Concurrency to System Design (ACSD), and the International conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development (MODELSWARD).

Dr. Vera Pantelic’s main research interests include development and certification of safety-critical software systems and model-based development.  She brings extensive experience in tool-supported model-based design of automotive software to this project, as well as knowledge of ISO 26262 compliance.

Vera is a reviewer for a number of journals, including: IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, and International journal of Control and conferences, including the International Conference on Application of Concurrency to System Design (ACSD), and the International conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development (MODELSWARD).

Stefan Ramdhan is an undergraduate student studying Computer Engineering and Management at McMaster University. He is interested in graduate studies and working in Embedded Systems, ADAS, and Connected Vehicle Technology.

Stefan Ramdhan is an undergraduate student studying Computer Engineering and Management at McMaster University. He is interested in graduate studies and working in Embedded Systems, ADAS, and Connected Vehicle Technology.

A Ph.D. student who received his master’s degree from Sharif University of Technology in Software Engineering. Model-Driven Engineering, Model-Driven Methodologies, and System Analysis are in the circle of my interest.

A Ph.D. student who received his master’s degree from Sharif University of Technology in Software Engineering. Model-Driven Engineering, Model-Driven Methodologies, and System Analysis are in the circle of my interest.

Arman Samiei is an M.A.Sc. student in Software Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Mosser. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Computer Engineering and Physics from Amirkabir University of Technology. His primary research interests include Model-Driven Engineering, Software Testing, Scientific Computing, and Machine Learning.

Arman Samiei is an M.A.Sc. student in Software Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Mosser. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Computer Engineering and Physics from Amirkabir University of Technology. His primary research interests include Model-Driven Engineering, Software Testing, Scientific Computing, and Machine Learning.

Safiullah Shah is a third-year undergraduate student at McMaster University studying Electrical Engineering.

His engineering interests include electrified transportation, optimization & control, and electromagnetics & photonics. Safiullah plans to pursue these interests in graduate school.

Safiullah Shah is a third-year undergraduate student at McMaster University studying Electrical Engineering.

His engineering interests include electrified transportation, optimization & control, and electromagnetics & photonics. Safiullah plans to pursue these interests in graduate school.

Faezeh Siavashi received her Ph.D. from Åbo Akademi University (Turku, Finland) in the field of model-based verification and testing software systems and services. She has work experience as a Software Engineer in the healthcare sector and as a Data Engineer for start-up companies in Finland.

She joined McMaster University in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, working on model-based systems engineering for automotive systems and exploring systems requirements throughout design and development.

Faezeh Siavashi received her Ph.D. from Åbo Akademi University (Turku, Finland) in the field of model-based verification and testing software systems and services. She has work experience as a Software Engineer in the healthcare sector and as a Data Engineer for start-up companies in Finland.

She joined McMaster University in 2022 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, working on model-based systems engineering for automotive systems and exploring systems requirements throughout design and development.

Spencer obtained his undergraduate and graduate (M.Eng., Ph.D.) degrees in Civil Engineering from McMaster University. In 2000 he started a position as an Assistant Professor in the newly formed Department of Computing and Software at McMaster. Currently, Spencer is an Associate Professor in Computing and software.

Spencer has taught courses on such topics as the following: introduction to computing as a discipline, software design, software project management, scientific computing, and communication skills. Spencer’s research interests focus on improving the quality of research software via the application of software engineering methodologies. Since 2006, Spencer is a licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) in the Province of Ontario.

Spencer obtained his undergraduate and graduate (M.Eng., Ph.D.) degrees in Civil Engineering from McMaster University. In 2000 he started a position as an Assistant Professor in the newly formed Department of Computing and Software at McMaster. Currently, Spencer is an Associate Professor in Computing and software.

Spencer has taught courses on such topics as the following: introduction to computing as a discipline, software design, software project management, scientific computing, and communication skills. Spencer’s research interests focus on improving the quality of research software via the application of software engineering methodologies. Since 2006, Spencer is a licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) in the Province of Ontario.

Hong Sun is a PhD Candidate pursuing his interests in safety analysis and model-based engineering.

Hong Sun is a PhD Candidate pursuing his interests in safety analysis and model-based engineering.

Winnie Trandinh is an undergraduate student studying Mechatronics Engineering and Management at McMaster University. His interests lie in the fields of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and controls.

Winnie Trandinh is an undergraduate student studying Mechatronics Engineering and Management at McMaster University. His interests lie in the fields of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and controls.

With 45 years’ experience in both industry and academia, Dr. Wassyng is a sought-after speaker, consultant and thought leader in the certification of software-intensive systems, rigorous approaches to the development of safety-critical software and the use of assurance case templates. He is an expert on functional safety and hazard analysis of safety-critical systems. He was a co-founder of McSCert and was its inaugural Director. He was also a co-founder of the Software Certification Consortium, and has been the chair of the steering committee since its inception.

With 45 years’ experience in both industry and academia, Dr. Wassyng is a sought-after speaker, consultant and thought leader in the certification of software-intensive systems, rigorous approaches to the development of safety-critical software and the use of assurance case templates. He is an expert on functional safety and hazard analysis of safety-critical systems. He was a co-founder of McSCert and was its inaugural Director. He was also a co-founder of the Software Certification Consortium, and has been the chair of the steering committee since its inception.

Mitchell Weingust is in his final year of software engineering at McMaster University. He is researching the applications of machine learning models to predict and understand health-related systems. His research, under the supervision of Dr. Richard Paige, focuses on different machine learning models’ uses and performances, and how strengthening approaches lead to more sophisticated results. He is interested in machine learning, software design, and model-based development.

Mitchell Weingust is in his final year of software engineering at McMaster University. He is researching the applications of machine learning models to predict and understand health-related systems. His research, under the supervision of Dr. Richard Paige, focuses on different machine learning models’ uses and performances, and how strengthening approaches lead to more sophisticated results. He is interested in machine learning, software design, and model-based development.

Lindsay White is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in model-driven engineering, with a focus on security for safety-critical systems. She previously completed a Ph.D. in mathematics, and an M.Sc. in Computational Science & Engineering, investigating privacy for anonymous databases.

Lindsay White is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in model-driven engineering, with a focus on security for safety-critical systems. She previously completed a Ph.D. in mathematics, and an M.Sc. in Computational Science & Engineering, investigating privacy for anonymous databases.

Hassan Zaker Zavardehi received his bachelor’s degree from Sharif University of Technology in Computer Engineering. Now, he is pursuing his master’s degree in software engineering under Dr. Paige’s supervision.

Hassan Zaker Zavardehi received his bachelor’s degree from Sharif University of Technology in Computer Engineering. Now, he is pursuing his master’s degree in software engineering under Dr. Paige’s supervision.

Kai Zhu received his B.Sc in biology from McMaster University, and is currently pursuing a B.Eng in Software Engineering with an interest in continuing onto graduate studies in topics involving machine learning, image processing, and software design.

Kai Zhu received his B.Sc in biology from McMaster University, and is currently pursuing a B.Eng in Software Engineering with an interest in continuing onto graduate studies in topics involving machine learning, image processing, and software design.