For Prospective Students


I am recruiting fully funded graduate students to join the COCOA (CO-designing COllaborations with AI) Lab for the Fall 2026 cohort!


Thank you for your interest in my research! I've put together some information to help you understand what I look for in students and collaborators. My goal is to create a research environment that supports learning, creativity, and well-being, so I hope this helps you decide if our interests and working styles align.


Potential Research Areas:

At the heart of my work is a commitment to human-centered technology. I encourage students to bring their own ideas and passions, and I see my role as helping shape and support them while finding common ground. Here are some broad areas I'm interested in:

  1. Human-AI collaboration in design: Exploring ways AI can enhance the design process and foster effective collaboration between humans and AI. (Example papers)
  2. AI-powered assistive technologies: Creating AI tools to support people with disabilities, especially older adults and people who are blind or have low vision. (Example papers)
  3. AI for skills training and education: Investigating how AI can personalize learning experiences and improve educational outcomes. (Example papers)

What I Look For in Students:

In addition to research fit, here are some qualities I especially value:

  1. Technical skills: Background in CS, HCI, or related fields, with experience in programming and data analysis, and familiarity with AI.
  2. Curiosity: I look for students who are eager to learn and ask thoughtful questions. Curiosity drives exploration, helps uncover new insights, and leads to more meaningful research.
  3. Time management skills: I appreciate when students try to stay organized and proactive. Setting goals, managing time, and following through on tasks can make our collaboration more smooth and rewarding for both of us.
  4. Strong verbal and written communication: Open to feedback and willing to iterate. Clear and authentic communication helps build trust and allows me to support you effectively.

Programs I'm Affiliated With:

  1. Master's and PhD students: You can apply to work with me through one of the following graduate programs at York University: MSc in Computer Science or PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. Undergraduate students: If you're interested in research opportunities, I encourage you to check out the Undergraduate Research at Lassonde page.

Admissions are handled centrally by the department, so you'll need to apply through York University. While I can't pre-admit anyone, I'm happy to advocate for applicants who are a strong fit. Whether you're local or coming from afar, you can explore the campus and learn more about Toronto on the Discover York page.


Interested in Reaching Out?

If you'd like to contact me about research opportunities, please include the following in your email. This helps me get a clearer picture of your interests and background and saves us from too much back and forth. I read every email carefully, but I may not be able to respond to everyone. Even if you don't hear back, I truly appreciate your time and wish you all the best on your academic journey!


  1. Include "Prospective Student" in the subject line.
  2. Let me know the role you're interested in (e.g., Undergraduate RA, MSc, PhD) and anticipated start date (e.g., Fall/Winter 2026).
  3. Share your research interests and any proposals for future projects you'd like to explore. Feel free to include a reflection on one of my papers, such as what stood out to you, what could be improved, or how you might extend the work.
  4. Provide a short summary of your relevant skills and experiences (e.g., full-stack development, UX/UI design, research methods). Most of the projects I work on involve designing, building, and evaluating interactive systems. It's helpful (but not required) to have experience with web development, large language model (LLM) APIs, and running user studies.
  5. If possible, please include your CV and unofficial transcripts as attachments.
  6. And of course, feel free to share anything else that you think is important!