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Election 2024 – Candidates Information

Candidate bio and position statements

The following information was provided by the respective candidates.

 

Biography:

Dr. Mandeep Pannu holds an MSc and PhD in Computer Science from Coventry University, UK. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Lecturer at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. With over ten years of experience in teaching and research in higher education, she has served on program and advisory committees for several international conferences and journals. Dr. Pannu has worked on projects to introduce innovative methods in teaching, learning, and assessment within Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, along with real-world problem-solving consultations. She has collaborated with industry on Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network projects, developing high-tech solutions in areas such as data recovery apps, big data analytics, IoT, cybercrime, and the Dark Web. Her primary research interests include Computer Vision, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Digital Forensics.

Dr. Pannu has been involved with the IEEE Vancouver Section since 2014, serving as Branch Councillor, Vice Chair and Chair of the Joint Computer Chapter, and Treasurer of the Vancouver Section. She has been the Vice Chair of the Vancouver Section since January 2023.

Position Statement:

As Chair of the IEEE Vancouver Section, Dr. Pannu is dedicated to promoting respect, equal opportunities, and fostering an inclusive environment for all members. She will prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) values in all activities, ensuring that every member feels represented and valued. Her vision includes collaborating with other chapters and societies to strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships, encourage the exchange of ideas, and organize joint events that benefit the broader IEEE community. Dr. Pannu is committed to creating opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and meaningful collaborations, while advancing the latest trends in technology and innovation across academia and industry.

 

Biography:

Mr. Usman Munawar (IEEE Senior Member & HKN) holds an M.A.Sc. in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina, Canada, and has authored 16 research publications in journals, transactions and conferences. Since 2024, he has served as a Project Specialist at Powertech Labs Inc., where he leads various projects related to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and founded the Future Energy Integration Lab. Previously, he was a Design and Development Engineer at Greenwave Innovations Inc. for three years, significantly contributing to the company’s success and earning multiple international product awards. In 2020, he also served as a Sessional Lab Instructor in Machine Learning at the University of Regina.

Mr. Munawar has been the Chair of the IEEE IAS CMD Humanitarian Contest and Program Sub-Committee since 2019 and has been a member of the IEEE IAS Board of Governors since 2024. He is the youngest HKN (Honor) member from IEEE Canada and has been serving as the Membership Development Chair for the IEEE Vancouver Section since 2024. Additionally, he is the Chair of the CONAC Committee and an OpenWater Developer/Administrator for IEEE Region 7, enhancing the region’s conferences and award systems.

He was a founding Chair of the IEEE PES/IAS Joint Chapter in the South Saskatchewan Section. he has held roles as Young Professional Vice Chair and SAC Chair and Secretary in South Saskatchewan Section. During his tenure, the section earned both the Hall of Fame and MGA Small Section awards. He is also founder of  the IAS Regional Chapter Workshop in Canada, promoting collaboration between industry and academia.

Throughout his career, Mr. Munawar has held numerous significant positions within IEEE committees, reflecting a strong commitment to the organization’s mission. His initiatives have gained international recognition, including the Technical Forum for Industry and Academia Partnership in Tunisia and Peru, and humanitarian workshops in over 40 countries.

Mr. Munawar’s contributions have been acknowledged with various accolades, including the Dean’s Honor List Award from the University of Regina in 2021 and the IEEE PES Scholarship in 2020. He and his team have received prestigious honors such as the IEEE Hall of Fame Award (twice), the IEEE PES Young Professionals Committee Award, the Outstanding Young Engineer Award from IEEE PES, and the IEEE IAS CMD Humanitarian Award (three times), among others.

For more contributions, please visit IEEE Profile

Position Statement:

Thirteen years ago, I made a pivotal decision to engage with IEEE as a student branch executive committee member, a choice that has profoundly influenced my personal and professional journey. Through this experience, I have witnessed our community’s incredible capacity to empower individuals and drive meaningful change. As Vancouver Section Chair, I will aspire to transform IEEE into a welcoming technical home for all section members.

I will prioritize enhancing diversity within the section and fostering global awareness, creating an inclusive environment that values every voice. Supporting STEM initiatives and our Young Professionals (YP) and Women in Engineering (WIE) affinity groups is vital to nurturing the next generation of innovators.

To better serve Vancouver Section members, I will modernize our events and broaden our offerings, ensuring high-value learning opportunities. This includes introducing short need based learning courses in collaboration with industry leaders, equipping our members with skills and knowledge relevant to today’s fast-evolving technological landscape. Additionally, I will implement new, effective programs aimed at revitalizing our student branches and chapters, engaging and inspiring our future leaders.

I also encourage student branches and chapters to participate in IEEE humanitarian Programs. By engaging in initiatives that benefit our communities, we can instill a sense of purpose and social responsibility in our members.

I recognize the invaluable contributions of our senior members, fellows, and life members. I will actively engage these experienced professionals in supporting section activities, leveraging their expertise to mentor emerging talent and enhance our initiatives.

Strengthening partnerships with industry and startups will enhance networking and professional development opportunities for our members. Furthermore, I am committed to establishing transparent section documentation and improving our award and nomination systems. By adopting the OpenWater system, we can ensure greater transparency and fairness in the nomination process.

Together, we can build a thriving community that elevates our profession and provides exceptional conferences and learning experiences. Thank you for your support, and let’s work collaboratively to make IEEE Vancouver Section the premier choice for technical professionals.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg

 

Biography:

Nima Moazen, P.Eng, holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UBC Okanagan. He currently serves as a Hardware Development Engineer specializing in network security. In addition to his professional role, Nima is actively engaged in the engineering community as the Vice-Chair of the EGBC Richmond/Delta Branch. Outside of work and volunteering, he enjoys playing hockey.

Position Statement:

I am excited to nominate myself for the position of Vice-Chair of the IEEE Vancouver Section. My goal is to enhance member engagement, promote technical excellence, and improve communication within our community.

Key Objectives:

1. Strengthen Engagement: Increase networking opportunities and volunteer involvement through diverse events and programs.
2. Promote Innovation: Support professional development with technical workshops and encourage local research and innovation.
3. Enhance Communication: Improve our communication channels and expand outreach to local institutions and industry partners.

With experience and active participation in IEEE, I am committed to advancing our Section’s goals and fostering a vibrant community.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Nima Moazen, P.ENG

 

Biography:

I am an electrical engineer from India who immigrated to Vancouver, BC, Canada in 2018. I completed my Bachelors Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2011 and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering specialised in Electrical Machines in 2013. After moving to Canada I have also completed UBC extended learning certifications in Key Capabilities in Data Science and Systematic Program Design in 2022. My career experiences include working as a control system designer in the manufacturing industry, volunteering with IEEE PES Vancouver Chapter, EGBC, and Vancouver Public Library.

Position Statement:

I believe in giving back to the community and promoting my areas of interest through volunteering. The opportunity to volunteer for IEEE Vancouver section would allow me to take part in activities that interest me and promote it to the public for them to reap benefits of this great organization. Having gotten the opportunity to volunteer with EGBC as a secretary, I am seeking this opportunity to take the next step as a Treasurer with IEEE Vancouver section. If I get elected, I look forward to contributing my skills and knowledge to fulfil the duties of the treasurer role.

 

 

Biography:

Zhida Li received the B.E. and M.Eng.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering and microelectronic design from the University College Cork, Ireland, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree in engineering science from Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada.

He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at New York Institute of Technology – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. From 2011 to 2014, he was a Research Assistant at Tyndall National Institute, Ireland. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at SFU, from June 2022 to Dec. 2022. His research interests include machine learning systems for detecting network anomalies, brain-computer interfaces, and blockchain.

Dr. Li serves as Secretary (2022-present) of the Membership Development Committee, IEEE Canada. He is the Secretary (2024–Present) of IEEE Vancouver Section, the Chair (2023-present) of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society joint Chapter of the Vancouver/Victoria Sections, and the Counselor (2023–Present) of New York Tech-Vancouver.

He serves as Lead Guest Editor for MDPI Electronics, and as a Technical Program Committee (TPC) Member for various conferences, including the IEEE International Symposium on Parallel and Distributed Processing with Applications (IEEE ISPA 2024), IEEE International Conference on Cryptography, Security, and Privacy (CSP 2024 and 2025), and the International Conference on Geoinformation Science and Communication Technology (GSCT 2025).
He served as a TPC Member of the IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) 2020 and a Session Chair at the IEEE International Conference on Cyber, Physical, and Social Computing (CPSCom) 2020. He served as a Publicity Chair and a TPC member of the CPSCom 2022 and a TPC member of the International Conference on E-Business and Internet (ICEBI) 2023.

Position Statement:

The Section Secretary is a steward of the Section’s history and future, managing information to enable ExCom decision making.

If elected,
– I will record the minutes of Section Executive Committee business meetings.
– I will distribute the agenda and meeting notices for Section meetings.
– I will send out online meeting notices in sufficient time to allow attendees.
– I will maintain operational documents, archive them, and handle official correspondence.
– I will frequently communicate with the Vancouver Chair to maintain the records of the chapters.
– I will assist the Chair when required.