Hadis Karimipour

Dr. Hadis Karimipour

PhD, PEng, SMIEEE

Positions

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Secure and Resilient Cyber-physical Systems

University of Calgary

Associate Professor

Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering

Schulish Chair in Secure and Reliable Networked Engineering Systems

University of Calgary

Contact information

Email

hadis.karimipour@ucalgary.ca

Web presence

Personal Website

Linkedin

For media enquiries, contact

Joe McFarland
Media Relations and Communications Specialist

Cell: +1.403.671.2710
Email: Joe.Mcfarland@ucalgary.ca

Preferred method of communication

Email

Background

Credentials

PhD, Universality of Alberta, 2016

Biography


Dr. Hadis Karimipour is the Canada Research Chair (Tier II), Director of the Smart Cyber-Physical (SCPS) Lab, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary. Her research tackles the growing cyber threats outlined in Canada’s National Cyber Threat Assessment, stressing the urgency of strong defenses against state-sponsored attacks, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, and emerging technology threats. She is a leading pioneer in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine/ Deep Learning to enhance the security of critical infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), and Operational Technology (OT).

Her research interest includes:

  • AI-enabled Monitoring Solution for Smart Cyber-Physical Grids
  • AI-enabled IoT/OT Security
  • Machine Learning/Deep Learning
  • Security of AI

Research

Areas of Research

Machine Learning and Its Applications

Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that provides systems with the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.  The basic premise of ML is to build algorithms that can receive input data and use statistical analysis to predict an output while updating outputs as new data becomes available.  ML can be used for anomaly detection, system monitoring, security analysis, load prediction, load forecasting, etc. in cyber-physical systems. 

Anomaly Detection in Smart CPSs

The deployment of smart technologies in the communication layer brings new challenges for online monitoring and control of the Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). In addition to the failure of physical infrastructure, CPSs are also sensitive to different anomalies on their communication layer. AI is a popular technology that has the potential to be leveraged in different aspects of CPS monitoring including anomaly/failure detection. 

AI and IoT Monitoring/Security

Over the last decade, IoT platforms have been developed into a global giant that grabs every aspect of our daily lives. Because of easy accessibility and fast-growing demand for smart devices and networks, IoT is now facing more security challenges than ever before. AI-based methods can be used to identify various attacks at an early stage as well as providing defensive strategies. Moreover, AI seems to be promising in detecting new attacks using learning skills and handle them intelligently. 

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Energy Innovations for Today and Tomorrow (2013-2021)

Human Dynamics in a Changing World (2015-2021)

Awards

  • Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Calgary. 2025
  • Killam Emerging Research Leader Award, Killam Trust. 2025
  • Top 40 Under 40, Avenue Magazine-Calgary. 2023
  • Alumni Horizon Award, University of Alberta Alumni Award. 2025
  • Top 25 Women of Influence, Women of Influence+. 2025
  • Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, WXN Academe. 2024
  • Schulich School of Engineering Excellence Award in Graduate Student Supervision, University of Calgary. 2024
  • Canadian Security Top 10 Under 40, Canadian Security Magazine. 2024
  • ASTech Award Inspiring Innovations in AI/ML Advancement, ASTech Award and Technology Alberta. 2023
  • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber, IT Security Guru. 2022
  • Schulich School of Engineering Excellence Award in Research Excellence, University of Calgary. 2023
  • Canada Research Chair (Tier II), Government of Canada. 2022
  • IEEE Women in Communications Engineering (WICE) Early Achievement Award, IEEE Communication Society. 2022
  • Schulich School of Engineering Excellence Award in Mentoring, University of Calgary. 2023
  • APEGA Early Accomplishment Award, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). 2022
  • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber, IT Security Guru. 2022
  • Canada's Top 20 Women in Cyber Security, IT World Canada. 2021
  • Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship, University of Alberta. 2015
  • Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship, University of Alberta. 2014

Publications

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