Soorena Merat is the Chief Cyber Security Officer at Silkatech Consulting Engineers Inc. With over three decades of experience in the technology industry, Dr. Merat brings unwavering commitment and a deep understanding of the ever-shifting cybersecurity landscape. His research focuses on the fascinating intersection of bioneural systems, artificial intelligence, and social cyber engineering. Dr. Merat’s work delves into the intricate dynamics of human behavior within technological environments, exploring how vulnerabilities emerge and how they can be proactively addressed. He is particularly interested in developing predictive models that identify potential weaknesses in systems and generating actionable recommendations for enhanced security controls. This research combines insights from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and computer science to create a more holistic approach to cybersecurity. Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Merat’s journey in the tech industry is marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge. He remains at the forefront of advancements in the field, ensuring that his expertise and insights contribute to a safer and more secure digital world.

Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi has over 33 years of industry experience, concurrently over 27 years of university teaching experience. He is Professor/Coordinator of “Optical Systems and Sensors” Program, Algonquin College/Carleton University, Canada. He is Research Council Member, Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Previously, he was Senior System Engineer at Nortel, Optical Solutions R&D. With his professional background, he demonstrated outstanding leadership establishing Applied Research with $10.5M fund that fostered Algonquin College to become Polytechnic Institution. He is the founder of the $6 million cutting-edge Optophotonics Lab (Optical Communications Network) 200Gbps. He is one of the founders of Ontario’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) with $65 million in funding. His expertise is in photonics, optical systems and sensors, optical communications, and wireless. He has published several technical papers and books. He received several awards from IEEE, academia, and industry, e.g., 2010 IEEE Leadership Award, 2015 IEEE Canada W.R. Service Award, 2009 Laurent Isabelle Teaching Excellence, 2006 NISOD Award, and 2015 Canadian Pacific Railway Engineering Medal, Engineering Institute of Canada-EIC. He is P.Eng. and EIC Fellow. Dr. Almuhtadi is actively involved in IEEE for over 29 years serving in many executive level posts across IEEE. He is also currently the President-Elect/Director-Elect (2024–2025) of IEEE Canada/Region 7. IEEE President of IEEE Consumer Technology Society (CTSoc).