Dr. S. Andrew Gadsden

Overview

Dr. Gadsden’s research background and expertise includes a broad consideration of control and estimation theory, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and smart or cognitive systems. Smart systems are found everywhere in our increasingly automated and interconnected world—from smart homes to self-driving vehicles. The next-generation smart system, known as a cognitive system, is a type of system that operates in an environment with a perceived amount of cognition. These are smart systems with a higher-level of intelligence that behave autonomously. A system is deemed cognitive when capable of five fundamental processes essential to human cognition: the perception-action cycle (PAC), memory, attention, intelligence, and language. In addition, the principles of data science and security play an important role. A cognitive system is equipped to perceive and interact with the environment while it stores and learns from past experiences to adapt its operation which improves its efficiency, effectiveness, and robustness in unknown environments.

Fundamentally, the safe and reliable operation of a cognitive system is heavily dependent on its sensors, its understanding of the collected data, and its interaction with the environment. For example, estimation strategies that extract useful information from sensors must be robust to sensor failure or system uncertainties such as unmodeled dynamics. The inability to provide reliable information to the controller can lead to poor system performance, unsafe operating conditions, or failure. Based on the sensor data, a cognitive system may build its knowledge base and models using machine learning techniques. However, this generally creates models that are input-output driven with minimal information or user understanding on the dynamics of the system. Physics-based or mathematical modelling of the system are significantly more complex, but are not considered ‘black box’ models like those generated from advanced machine learning methods. This offers some advantages as the engineer or user may better understand how the system behaves. However, this raises an important question on the future of cognitive systems. Can we rely solely on a cognitive system for critical or unsafe tasks, or should they be regulated to passive actions and menial duties?

Dr. Gadsden and his research team are working towards answering this fundamental question. His team is focusing on novel and efficient ways of advancing the theory of cognitive systems while improving public confidence, acceptance, and trust in their application. In particular, he is working on developing robust estimation and control strategies to improve cognitive system performance within the perception-action cycle. Further, Dr. Gadsden and his team are fusing machine learning and physics-based modelling for improved system intelligence. Finally, he is working towards a cognitive system that is able to explain and reason its actions to improve user trust.

Did you know?

• Dr. Gadsden is a NASA award recipient. As a member and Co-PI of the air-LUSI project, Dr. Gadsden and his fellow teammates earned the 2021 Robert H. Goddard Award in Science (announced in January, 2022) for their work on developing an airborne lunar spectral irradiance instrument. This system will be used to help Earth observing sensors make more accurate measurements and will lead to improved modelling of our planet (e.g., climate change models).

• Dr. Gadsden earned the 2019-2020 University Research Excellence Award for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (University of Guelph, Ontario). This award is given annually to one recently tenured faculty member who has demonstrated research excellence.

• In 2019, Dr. Gadsden was awarded a SPIE Rising Researcher Award in Baltimore, Maryland. This highly-competitive award is typically given to new researchers, and was the only Canadian to earn one in 2019. Dr. Gadsden was awarded based on his work in intelligent estimation theory.

• Dr. Gadsden earned the 2019 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching (University of Guelph Faculty Association, Ontario). This award is given annually to one faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching.

• Dr. Gadsden has been a Senior Member of the IEEE since 2019.

• In 2018, Dr. Gadsden earned an Ontario Early Researcher Award for his work in intelligent condition monitoring. Awardees are selected based on excellence of the researcher, quality of the research, development of research talent, and strategic value for Ontario. The five-year awards are typically used to help build research teams.

• Dr. Gadsden has been a Fellow of ASME since 2018.

• Dr. Gadsden and his team have published over 200 peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

• Dr. Gadsden actively supports start-up companies in Advisor and Board Member roles.

• Dr. Gadsden has two cats.