Dr. Ardeshir Shojaeinasab
Adjunct Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
ECS 228 | Office: 250-472-5802 | ardeshir@uvic.ca
Bio
I am an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Victoria. I received my PhD in Computer Engineering from UVic, where my dissertation focused on detecting illicit Bitcoin transactions for anti-money laundering applications.
My research interests span Robotics Security, Trustable AI, Privacy-Preserving Systems, Blockchain, Explainable AI, and Distributed Computing. I teach courses related to Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Blockchain and Data Analytics.
Research
Research Interests
My research focuses on developing secure, privacy-preserving, and explainable AI systems with applications in:
- Robotics Security: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy in Robotics and IoT
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrency: Detecting illicit transactions, AML, cross-chain analysis, and deanonymization techniques
- Explainable AI: Model transparency in human-centred systems
- Privacy-Preserving Systems: Privacy-aware AI systems
- Graph Neural Networks: Applications in transaction analysis and fraud detection
Current Projects
- Foresight Secure AI Grant: Counterfactual Explanations in Human-Robot Collaboration Systems (Co-PI with Dr. Homayoun Najjaran, Dr. Regan Mandryk) - Application Submitted waiting for the result
- MITACS Accelerate: Network holder & Investigator (Awarded 2024)
Past Experience
Research Scientist, Mastercard Inc., AI Garage (May 2023 – Jan 2024): Developed ML algorithms for anti-money laundering and fraud detection, collaborated with University of Alberta on blockchain analytics.
Teaching
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Current Courses (2025)
ECE 403/503: Optimization for Machine Learning
Spring 2025
Graduate-level course covering mathematical foundations of machine learning, gradient descent variations, convex optimization, stochastic methods, and hyperparameter tuning strategies.
ECE 572: Security, Privacy and Data Analytics
Summer 2025
Integrated cryptography, privacy techniques, and practical security applications. Hands-on projects include secure messenger application and IDS/IPS design. Course outline based on MIT 6.1600 and recent academic papers on intrusion detection systems.
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
Intelligent Manufacturing Execution Systems: A Systematic Review
Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 62, 503-522 (2022)
Synthesizing Rolling Bearing Fault Samples in New Conditions: A Framework Based on a Modified CGAN
Sensors, 22(14), 5413 (2022)
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Machine Scheduling: Methodology, the State-of-the-Art, and Future Directions
Computers & Industrial Engineering, 110856 (2025)
Mixing Detection on Bitcoin Transactions Using Statistical Patterns
IET Blockchain, 3(3), 136-148 (2023)
Unveiling the Black Box: A Unified XAI Framework for Signal-based Deep Learning Models
Machines, 12(2), 121 (2024)
Mixing Services in Bitcoin and Ethereum Ecosystems: A Review
IET Blockchain, 5: e70021 (2025)
Papers Under Review
Unveiling the Masked: Deanonymizing the Elliptic Dataset to Enhance Illicit Bitcoin Transaction Detection with Explainable Graph Neural Networks
USENIX Security 2026 (Submitted August 2025)
Prospective Students
Open Funded Positions
I am actively seeking motivated PhD and Master's students to join my research group, starting in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026. Funded positions are available.
Note: Students currently in Canada are prioritized for time-sensitive projects. However, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Research Areas:
- Robotics Security
- Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Systems
- Blockchain Security and Cryptocurrency Analysis
- Explainable AI and Counterfactual Analysis
Ideal candidates have:
- Strong background in machine learning, cryptography, or cybersecurity
- Programming experience
- Published research or strong academic record
- Passion for interdisciplinary research combining security, privacy, and AI
To apply: Send your CV, transcripts, and a brief research statement to ardeshir@uvic.ca with subject "PhD Application - [Your Name]" or "Master's Application - [Your Name]"
Professional Service
Peer Review
- Conference Reviewer: Asiacrypt 2024
- Journal Reviewer: Journal of Network and Computer Applications
Professional Activities
- Guest Speaker: Blockchain Research Group, University of Waterloo
- Guest Speaker: Blockchain Research Group, University of Tehran
- Member: Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada)
News & Updates
September 2025
Victoria AI and Innovation Roundtable
Attended the Victoria AI and Innovation Roundtable hosted by MP Will Greaves, presenting a practical framework for building trust in AI to help Canada achieve digital sovereignty and economic growth.
August 2025
Grant Proposal Submitted
Submitted AISI Challenge Fund proposal for "Counterfactual Explanations in Human-Robot Collaboration Systems" with co-PIs Dr. Homayoun Najjaran and Dr. Regan Mandryk.
August 2025
Paper Submitted to USENIX Security 2026
"Unveiling the Masked: Deanonymizing the Elliptic Dataset to Enhance Illicit Bitcoin Transaction Detection with Explainable Graph Neural Networks" submitted for review.
August 2025
Appointed Adjunct Professor
Began appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UVic. Currently accepting PhD and Master's student applications.
May 2024
PhD Completed
Successfully defended PhD dissertation "Decoding Illicit Bitcoin Transactions: A Multi-Methodological Approach for Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Detection in Cryptocurrencies" with 4.0 GPA.
2024
MITACS Accelerate Grant Awarded
Received MITACS Accelerate Grant (IT34028) as Network holder and Investigator.