Dr. Alaa Alslaity, Assistant Professor & Associate Chair (Computer Science) and Program Coordinator (Post-Graduate Certificates)
Dr. Alaa Alslaity is a faculty member in Computer Science whose teaching and research focus on Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Personalization and Adaptation. His work explores how intelligent systems can be designed to better support human needs, decision-making, learning, and well-being. Dr. Alslaity contributes to courses that provide students with the technical foundations of intelligent and interactive systems, an understanding of their human, ethical, and societal implications, and the interaction between these systems and the users. His research investigates AI-driven adaptive systems, persuasive technologies, human-centred AI, and Human-AI interaction. He is particularly interested in developing AI systems that are effective, trustworthy, explainable, and beneficial to users. Through his teaching and research, Dr. Aalslaity aims to prepare students to design and evaluate AI technologies that not only solve complex problems but also positively impact individuals and society.
Dr. James Connelly, Associate Professor & Associate Chair (Philosophy) and Program Coordinator (AI Studies)
Degrees: Ph.D. (York University), M.A. (University of Saskatchewan), B.A. (University of Alberta)
Research Interests: Natural language processing, Wittgenstein, Russell, logic and language, history of analytic philosophy
Courses Taught: Critical Thinking, Symbolic Logic, Non-Classical Logic, Language and Meaning, Twentieth Century Philosophy
Email: jamesconnelly@trentu.ca
Professor Connelly’s research explores the momentous interactions between Wittgenstein and Russell, two of the twentieth century’s most original, innovative, and influential philosophers. As foundational thinkers and innovators, their work in logic and the philosophy of language laid critical intellectual groundwork for the development of computer science, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence. Professor Connelly is the author of Wittgenstein’s Critique of Russell’s Multiple Relation Theory of Judgement (Anthem Press, 2021) and was Visiting Professor in Russell and the History of Analytic Philosophy at McMaster University in Fall 2023.
Dr. Wenying Feng, Professor (Computer Science, Mathematics)
Dr. Feng's research covers machine learning, a core area of AI. She develops deep‑neural‑network algorithms for data analytics and studies their efficiency and performance optimization using mathematical and computational modelling.
Dr. Bilal Momani, Assistant Professor (Computer Science)
Dr. Bilal Al Momani is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science with teaching and research experience in Software Engineering, Database Systems, Networking, Digital Health, and emerging AI applications. His PhD research focused on knowledge representation, data fusion, computer vision, and intelligent systems, with applications in smart cities and IoT environments. His current research interests include AI-supported analysis of misinformation on social media platforms, smart city technologies, and applied computing solutions. Dr. Al Momani brings both academic and industry experience to the classroom, including several years of work at Cisco Systems in the USA and Ireland. In the AIST program, he contributes to courses related to AI applications, software development, data systems, and modern computing technologies with a strong focus on practical and interdisciplinary learning.
Dr. Andrew Monti, Assistant Professor (Communications)
Dr. Martina Orlandi, Assistant Professor (AI Studies)
Ph.D (McGill University)
Phone: (705) 748-1011 x 5261
Email: martinaorlandi@trentu.ca
Research Interests: Philosophy of Mind; Philosophy of Action; Moral Psychology; Epistemology
Website: https://www.martina-orlandi.com/
Dr. Makhdumabanu Saiyed, Assistant Professor (Computer Science)
Dr. Makhdumabanu Saiyed is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Trent University, Durham. She teaches courses in AIST, including AIST-1000 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and AIST-3570 Large Language Models and Natural Language Processing. Her teaching focuses on helping students develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills in AI, machine learning, and intelligent systems. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and explainable AI. She works on AI-driven cybersecurity systems for IoT and critical infrastructure networks, with current research focusing on intent-aware intrusion detection, federated learning, and lightweight LLM-based analysis.
Dr. Matthew Scarfone, Assistant Professor (Philosophy)
Prof. Scarfone's teaching and research is in Philosophy, specifically Applied Ethics, Normative Ethics, and Metaethics. For the AIST program, he teaches courses related to AI Ethics and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Dr. Joseph Wilson, Faculty Member (Anthropology)
Joseph Wilson received his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Toronto. His ethnographic fieldwork took place at AI labs, conferences, and at a company that designed computer chips for AI networks. His research interests include linguistic and semiotic anthropology, science and technology studies, and public anthropology. He has written about technology, language, anthropology, and education for SAPIENS, American Scientist, Anthropology News, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and Spacing. His book Humans of AI: Understanding the People Behind the Machines was published by Aevo University of Toronto Press in 2026.