Natalie Arthurs
Senior Manager
With extensive experience in economic development and a focus on innovation, commercialization, and tech sector growth, Natalie’s areas of expertise include connecting with companies to solve complex business challenges and bringing the right talent and resources to help them seize new opportunities using AI technologies. She is also adept at combining strategic vision with practical expertise to drive transformative results. Natalie is responsible for executing the AI Hub’s mandate to accelerate AI adoption and innovation across the Canadian ecosystem. She has a proven track record of forging impactful partnerships across academia, industry, and government. Natalie has a Master of Public Administration from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo.
Saba Siddiqi
Manager, R&D and AI Governance
Saba Siddiqi is the Manager, R&D and AI Governance at AI Hub, specializing in applied artificial intelligence, responsible AI, and AI governance. With a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering and experience in AI research and development, she leads multidisciplinary research teams and works with industry partners to develop and implement practical AI solutions. Since joining the AI Hub in 2019, she has led applied research projects across healthcare, real estate, education, and other sectors, involving machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, generative AI, and cloud-based technologies. Her work focuses on bridging technical innovation with responsible AI practices, helping organizations navigate AI adoption, governance, and implementation challenges. Saba holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo. She also mentors researchers and students, supporting their technical and professional development while advancing industry-focused AI research.
Tejas Vyas
Principal Investigator
An AI researcher specializing in artificial intelligence and software engineering, Tejas’ expertise lies in natural language processing, computer vision, and deep learning, with a focus on practical applications in healthcare, music, and sports analytics. He has extensive experience in software development and artificial intelligence, and has spearheaded several projects at the AI Hub. By collaborating with industry partners, he was able to develop AI-based support systems for healthcare, enhance music creation through AI, and employ AI chatbots for aging-related services. Through his work, Tejas leverages AI to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions. He has been published numerous times and plays a major role in advancing AI technologies. He has degrees in computer science and mathematics, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science.
Carol Guo
Principal Investigator
Carol has extensive experience in financial modelling and risk management. Her areas of expertise also include data analytics, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI. She has a Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence from Queen’s Smith School of Business and a masters degree in Mathematical Finance from the University of Toronto. Her initial interest in applying artificial intelligence to the financial sector has evolved to revolutionize and help businesses in other industries to benefit from AI. As a Principal Investigator and Responsible AI Lead at the AI Hub, she is in the process of setting up a Responsible AI framework, and to ensure that the services and tools provided to clients by the AI Hub meet responsible and ethical AI standards.
Navaneeth Jawahar
Principal Investigator
Nav has comprehensive experience in building large-scale AI applications in the learning and development industry, and this has enabled him to develop a niche in generative AI and large language models (LLMs). His expertise includes cloud engineering principles that enable him to build optimized and scalable solutions. Nav is passionate about the practical application of AI in real-world scenarios, and exploring how these innovations can be scaled and supported by modern software solutions. Nav has contributed to several projects at the AI Hub, formulating end-to-end solution architectures and deploying them successfully. A project he fondly recalls is one where he helped develop and deploy a dynamic AI -powered application connecting home cooks with customers, similar to a personalized meal service. Nav holds a bachelors degree in information technology and a postgraduate certificate in artificial intelligence.
Amit Maraj
Principal Investigator
Amit Maraj is a Principal Investigator at Durham College’s AI Hub, specializing in artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), software systems engineering, and IT security. He has played a key role in advancing applied AI research and education, contributing to the development of academic programs and curricula in artificial intelligence. He brings extensive industry experience in software engineering and AI, including four years at Google in developer relations and leadership roles in AI innovation. Amit holds a PhD in Computer Science, specializing in Natural Language Processing, from Ontario Tech University. His expertise spans AI solution architecture, software development, and the application of emerging technologies to address complex industry challenges.
Steve Bakos
Principal Investigator
With nearly a decade of experience in artificial intelligence, Steve’s expertise spans reinforcement learning, adversarial machine learning, natural language processing, and various other domains. He has developed machine learning models to predict kidney transplant wait times in Ontario, thereby saving millions in energy costs, and has also created multilingual chatbots for a nationwide parking lot company. Steve has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Ontario Tech University and a Computer Programmer Analyst diploma from Durham College. He is currently completing his master’s degree in Computer Science from Ontario Tech University. As a Principal Investigator at the AI Hub, he works with large language models, utilizing both open-source and latest foundational models. He enjoys staying up-to-date with AI-related news and working on personal AI projects such as AI-powered virtual YouTubers, automated AI resume scanners, and LLM-based recommendation food apps.
Taylor Richardson
Principal Investigator
Taylor Richardson is a Principal Investigator at Durham College’s AI Hub, specializing in translating applied AI research into practical, market-ready solutions for healthcare, automotive, and service-sector partners. Since joining the AI Hub in 2018, he has led multidisciplinary teams through project scoping, development, and deployment, contributing to solutions such as predictive lead-generation systems and AI-powered voice assistants for healthcare applications. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Carleton University, an honours postgraduate certificate in Data Analytics from Durham College, and a Scrum Product Owner certification. His expertise includes product strategy, project management, AI solution development, and translating complex technical challenges into practical business outcomes.
Andrew Mark Dale
Principal Investigator
Andrew Dale is an Assistant Principal Investigator at Durham College’s AI Hub, where he develops applied AI solutions across multiple cloud platforms and leads projects involving document analysis, AI-enhanced search, and intelligent systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Ontario Tech University and a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from Durham College. Previously, he worked as an Artificial Intelligence Specialist, designing and implementing end-to-end AI solutions for business applications. Andrew is a recipient of the AI Impact Award, recognizing his contributions to innovative AI solutions and project leadership. His areas of interest include applied artificial intelligence, large language model (LLM) infrastructure, and collaborative problem-solving to address real-world industry challenges.
Vatsal Thakkar
Principal Investigator
Vatsal Thakkar is a Principal Investigator at AI Hub, specializing in multimodal large language models (LLMs), AI product strategy, and enterprise AI solution architecture. With nearly seven years of experience, he has led over 75 initiatives across healthcare, financial services, automotive, and enterprise sectors, contributing to more than 15 production deployments. His expertise includes multi-agent AI systems, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), deep learning, predictive analytics, and end-to-end solution architecture across Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform. His work has delivered measurable outcomes, including significant reductions in compliance and security review times. Vatsal holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence. His work focuses on developing scalable, production-ready AI solutions that address complex industry challenges.
Sam Plati
Faculty Research Advisor
Sam Plati is an innovative educator dedicated to advancing pedagogical excellence by integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles, emerging technologies, and quality assurance frameworks. As a Professor at Durham College, he engages students in hands-on learning that enhances critical thinking and prepares them for real-world challenges. Leveraging his expertise in data analytics and AI, Sam develops forward-thinking curricula that equip future leaders with essential data literacy and analytical skills. As a Subject Matter Expert, Same has co-created graduate programs in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, shaping cutting-edge educational content in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Visualization.
Priyamvada Tripathi
Faculty & Lead Facilitator, AI GUIDE
Dr. Priyamvada (Pia) Tripathi is a professor at Durham College who specializes in AI and Data Analytics. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Arizona State University, with research collaboration at MIT Media Labs. Dr. Tripathi has published extensively and holds multiple patents. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Tripathi has led AI and data science initiatives for top organizations. She co-founded a leading AI company, driving innovations in Health Tech and EdTech. At Durham College, she develops industry-relevant curricula, preparing students for careers in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Her teaching emphasizes practical skills, ethical considerations, and real-world applications of AI in business.
Shahabuddin Syed
Senior Researcher
Shahabuddin Syed is a Senior Researcher at Durham College’s AI Hub with professional and research experience in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and data engineering. At the AI Hub, he has contributed to several applied research projects involving machine learning, computer vision, cloud computing, and AI-powered chatbots and agents. He also brings industry experience as a Data Engineer at one of Canada’s leading banks, where he worked on enterprise-scale data engineering solutions and cloud-based platforms. His technical expertise includes Python, SQL, AWS, machine learning, and AI agents. Shahabuddin holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and postgraduate qualifications in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics from Durham College. His work focuses on developing innovative, scalable, and practical AI solutions to address real-world industry challenges.
Sagariga Sundar
Senior Researcher
Sagariga Sundar is a researcher at Durham College’s AI Hub with experience in data governance, analytics, and AI consulting, particularly in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and healthcare sectors. Her expertise includes generative AI, data analytics, visualization, and the development of end-to-end AI workflows and secure, scalable data governance frameworks. At the AI Hub, she has contributed to applied research projects across various industries, focusing on developing reliable and scalable AI solutions. Her work includes developing an AI-powered chatbot integrated into learning platforms to support learners and building a scalable AI platform for applications in materials and sustainability. Saga is passionate about helping organizations leverage AI and analytics to develop practical, responsible, and future-ready solutions that address real-world challenges.
Ananthakrishnan Jayadev
Senior Researcher
Ananthakrishnan Jayadev is a Senior AI Researcher at the AI Hub, specializing in applied artificial intelligence, backend development, and cloud-based AI solutions. Since joining the AI Hub as a Research Assistant, he has contributed to the development and deployment of production-ready AI systems for industry partners across healthcare, financial services, energy, and education. His technical expertise includes Python, FastAPI, AWS, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), computer vision, and agentic AI systems. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and postgraduate certificates in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics from Durham College, along with AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer and Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate certifications. His work focuses on bridging AI research and practical implementation, developing reliable, scalable solutions that perform effectively in real-world environments.