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Surviving Hate

Description.

Surviving Hate is a collaborative journalism project co-ordinated by Humber College’s StoryLab seeking to fill the data gap on the reporting of hate crimes and incidents in Canada, with a focus on anti-Indigenous racism.

Academic partners include the University of Toronto’s Investigative Journalism Bureau , Algonquin College , Trent University , the University of King’s College , Toronto Metropolitan University , Carleton University and the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba .

Our media partners are Canada’s National Observer , the Toronto Star , TVOntario and JSource . Surviving Hate is supported by the Inspirit Foundation , Google News Initiative and Journalists for Human Rights and Humber College’s Office of Research and Innovation and Faculty of Media and Creative Arts .

Read the latest Surviving Hate stories:

• How Indigenous perspectives are reshaping medical education in northern Ontario (TVO; January 10, 2024)
• Truth and reconciliation: Inside ‘Canada’s’ healthcare system (IndigiNews; October 18, 2023)
• Inside the fight to reform Indigenous health education in Canadian medical and nursing schools (TVO; August 17, 2023)
• Juliette Tapaquon’s tragic story exposes health-care inequality (National Observer; June 2, 2023)
• Analysis of anti-Indigenous racism in hospitals reveals pattern of harm, no tracking mechanism (National Observer; April 11, 2023)
• Advocacy, community groups track hate in Canada when law enforcement fails us (National Observer; March 10, 2023)
• The hidden hate on campus: We tracked incidents at colleges and universities and found a growing problem (Toronto Star; March 10, 2023)

Participate in the Surviving Hate collaborative journalism survey

Why surviving hate.

In Canada today, the tracking of hate crimes nationally is woefully inadequate. Federal sources such as Statistics Canada rely on reporting from law enforcement. This aggregate data lacks context and doesn’t take into account the potentially large number of victims that have chosen not to make a formal report with police.

Surviving Hate is inspired by the work of ProPublica’s groundbreaking project, Documenting Hate .

Questions about Surviving Hate? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at [email protected].

Resources for Victims and Witnesses of Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents:

If you know about useful resources that you feel should be added to this page, please email them to us at [email protected].

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

• Canadian Suicide Prevention Services : If you are in immediate distress, Canadian Suicide Prevention Services has a 24 hour hotline and text service.  Available toll-free anytime at 1-833-456-4566 or by text between 4pm and 12am daily at 45645.
• Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime has resources for victims, witnesses and supporters.
• The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line  (1-866-925-4419) provides 24/7 support for anyone experiencing distress or pain as a result of residential schools.
• The Hope for Wellness Help Line   provides Indigenous people with immediate mental health support and crisis intervention. They are available anytime by phone at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat on their website:  https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ .
• Naseeha offers counselling to Muslim and non-Muslim youth at 1-866-NASEEHA (627-3342). Their phone lines are open 12pm-12am every day, and by text Monday to Friday.
• Trans Lifeline offers trans-led peer support to trans people 24/7 by phone at (877) 330-6366.
• Kid’s Help Phone   has a guide for dealing with online harassment and cyberbullying.
• The Trevor Project offers 24/7 support by phone, text or chat to LGBTQ people under 25 – call the helpline at 1-866-488-7386, chat online, or text START to 678-678.

For longer-term support:

• Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime   has information on the services available to you if you’ve experienced a crime.
• The Human Rights Campaign  has advice for victims on how best to contact the police.
• EGALE Canada : If you believe you were targeted because of your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status, contact EGALE Canada for assistance.
• Canadian Mental Health Association : CMHA can help those in need of mental health resources find services such as counselling in their local area.
• Kid’s Help Phone  has a guide for dealing with online harassment and cyberbullying.

Meet the Team

Martha Troian

Investigative lead.

She obtained her Master of Journalism degree from Carleton University with a specialization in broadcast journalism and a Master of Journalism from the University of King’s College with a specialization in investigative journalism. Martha is originally from Obishikokaang (Lac Seul First Nation), with ties to Wabauskang First Nation in northern Ontario. She is a mother to a young boy and lives between Manitoba and Ontario.

David Weisz

Director, storylab, humber college.

David Weisz is a data journalist and educator passionate about storytelling, spreadsheets and pandas (both furry and Python varieties). Creator of Data Driven, Canada's premier data journalism symposium. He is currently exploring new ways to collaborate on data-driven storytelling as a co-founder and director of Humber College's StoryLab.

Kunal Chaudhary

Investigative journalist, storylab.

Kunal Chaudhary is a graduate of the University of King's College journalism program. His work has appeared in the National Observer, Spacing magazine, and the West End Phoenix. He is based in Toronto.

Janice Saji

Project assistant, humber college.

Janice Saji is project assistant with Humber College's StoryLab as well as Humber Press. She completed her postgraduate studies in Journalism from Humber College, Toronto. She previously worked as an intern-journalist at The Hindu in India, writing stories covering crime, art, and science. When she’s not busy chasing stories, you can find her stalking the neighbourhood cats and binge-watching stand-ups.

Terra Ciolfe

Faculty advisor, humber college.

Terra Ciolfe discovered data while working as an editor/reporter in the Toronto area. She completed a master of investigative and data-driven journalism at the University of King’s College and has since worked at The Globe and Mail, CBC, Maclean’s, and The Canadian Press. She is currently a full-time professor at Humber College’s school of journalism.

Robert Cribb

Investigative journalist, toronto star.

Cribb is founder of the National Student Investigative Reporting Network, past president of the Canadian Association of Journalists, the first international board member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, current president of Canadian journalism charity Veritas – Advancing Journalism in the Public Interest and is co-author of Digging Deeper: A Canadian Reporter’s Research Guide (Oxford University Press). Cribb is recipient of both the Massey Journalism Fellowship and the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy Reporting. He teaches investigative reporting at Ryerson University’s School of Journalism and the University of Toronto.

David McKie

Deputy managing editor, special projects, national observer.

David McKie is an award-winning, Ottawa-based journalist. David teaches courses in data journalism and reporting methods, and has co-authored three journalism textbooks and user guides on access to information and privacy.

StoryLab Intern, StoryLab

Melody Lam is a research assistant with Humber College’s Story Lab. She is currently a postgraduate journalism student at Humber College. She holds a bachelor's degree in science, majoring in environmental science. Before coming to Canada, she worked in an international humanitarian organization in Hong Kong. She is passionate about human rights and environmental issues.

Antonio Peláez Barceló

Antonio Peláez Barceló is a multimedia journalist who has covered mainly economic, cultural and entertainment issues. He holds a degree in Economics and a PhD in Social Communication with a thesis focused on cultural diversity in film festivals. He is equally fond of Iranian cinema and Sandra Bullock movies, as well as semi-infinite spreadsheets and QDA programs. He is currently enrolled (and enjoying!) the Humber Ontario Graduate Certificate in Journalism.

Danielle Orr

Danielle is a freelance journalist and private investigator (OSINT) based in Ontario. Prior to joining Humber College’s StoryLab, she worked on investigations for the Investigative Journalism Bureau and the Toronto Star, and produced audio projects with Fixt Point Arts and Media and Sheridanlife Radio. When she’s not working with audio, she can be found hiking the Bruce Trail.

Keith Grosbeck

Community outreach liason, humber college storylab.

Keith has Plains Cree, Chippewa, Munsee-Delaware, Oneida, Mohawk, Blackfoot and European heritage. He was born and raised in Canada, primarily in the Chippewas Of The Thames First Nation community where he is a Registered Indian under the Indian Act Of Canada. With his unique heritage and cultural background, he has traveled and lived across North America in his lifetime. He currently calls North America (Turtle Island) his home.

Maggie Rahr

Maggie Rahr is an award-winning investigative journalist whose work often focuses on violation and institutional failure. Most recently Rahr wrote and hosted the CBC podcast Carrie Low VS. which chronicles a sexual assault survivor's battle against police as Carrie attempts to solve the crime she endured. Rahr has developed a system of reporting which is built on a foundation of consent, humane investigative practices, and the rigorous pursuit of information. This work spans print journalism across the country. Rahr also wrote and hosted the podcast What Happened to Holly Bartlett, a series examining the suspicious death of a blind woman who was found in a locked compound below a bridge, and whose death police considered accidental. Rahr lives in Nova Scotia with their two children and is passionate about music, delicious snacks, and documenting seaside life in writing and photography.

Kerry Potts

Faculty research lead, humber college.

Kerry Potts is a Faculty Research Lead for Surviving Hate who has Teme-Augama Anishnabai/British/Scottish heritage with familial roots in Temagami and Prince Edward Island. As a professor of Liberal Studies at Humber College, and a member of the Indigenous Education Council, her focus has been on developing Indigenous-focused training, content and courses, and created the general elective “Indigenous Perspectives on Music, Film and Media”. Kerry began her academic career at Trent University (Bachelor Arts, Honours, joint major Indigenous Studies and Anthropology) and OISE/University of Toronto (Masters, Sociology and Equity Studies) and has taught at George Brown College, Seneca College, and OISE/University of Toronto. She has participated, worked and volunteered in the Indigenous community in Toronto for over 20 years at social service, performing and media arts organizations, including Native Women’s Resource Centre, Native Women in the Arts, National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, and currently volunteers with Susan Aglukark’s Arctic Rose Foundation.

Amber Bernard

Amber Bernard (she/her) is Mi'kmaq (We'koqma'q First Nation) from the unceded territory of Mi'kma'ki or more commonly known as Nova Scotia. She is a journalist and communications professional who has worked with various outlets in Canada. Her most notable work was with APTN National News as a television reporter. She was a part of the award-winning project 'Tracking Transmountain,' which received an RTDNA data storytelling award in 2019. Her career continues to focus on Indigenous priorities, whether it's through her work as a journalist or communications professional. Amber's stories have explored many areas of Indigenous rights, climate change, and social justice.

Amy Jackson

Centre for human rights researcher.

Amy Jackson comes from a Cree and Metis background who spent a number of years in politics before deciding to go work toward a degree. She is currently a full time student at the University of Manitoba where she is doing a masters degree in Native Studies. Amy obtained her Bachelor of Arts at UCN with a major in History and minors in Social Science and Native Studies. When she’s not multitasking, she is playing fiddle or designing digital artwork.

Dani Monterroso

Storylab intern.

Dani is in her final year of journalism at Humber College. She previously worked as a research intern on the Surviving Hate project for Storylab. Passionate about photography and research has driven her to focus on work that encompasses human relations and lifestyle. When she’s not focusing on work, her favourite pastimes include reading, hiking, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.

Hansil Mehta

Hansil Mehta is a student journalist based in Toronto. He is passionate about storytelling and has worked at a South Asian radio station in the GTA for the past five years. He has a deep interest in telling stories about politics, human rights, climate change and sports.

Jamie Monastyrski

Faculty lead, humber college.

Jamie is a communications and media professional within the Indigenous political, media and arts sectors in Canada. He is a citizen of Couchiching First Nation, Treaty #3 and creates communications and media strategies for Indigenous organizations and political offices. He has held senior communication roles at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Chiefs of Ontario and Indspire. As an editor and reporter, he has worked for Wawatay News, AboriginalVoices Magazine, Spirit Magazine, APTN, the Globe and Mail, the National Observer and Indian Country Today and continues to write for and support various media outlets and Indigenous organizations. He is a part-time instructor at Humber College’s school of journalism teaching the ‘Reporting in Indigenous Communities’ course.

Jeremy Honess

Jeremy Honess is a student journalist based in Toronto, Ontario and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Journalism degree program at Humber College. In his off-hours, Honess follows the automotive industry and keeps tabs on the latest automotive trends but ultimately hopes to become a multi-faceted journalist.

Ryan Running Rabbit

Ryan Running Rabbit is Blackfoot, from the Siksika Nation in Alberta. He is currently a radio anchor/reporter at 660 News in Calgary, where he has been for the last three years covering various roles in the newsroom. Before 660 News, Ryan went to SAIT where he graduated from the RTBN program in 2017. Aside from news, Ryan has a deep passion for encouraging First Nations youth to seek higher education.

Prabhy Rehal

Prabhy Rehal (She/Her) is a fourth year Humber journalism student who is passionate about accessible journalism and storytelling. She is a member of the Sikh community, and a daughter of Punjabi immigrants. These identifiers also inform her advocacy for social justice as it allows for an empathetic approach to her work and the need for precision in storytelling. As a BIPOC journalist she understands the importance of hearing every voice and hopes to highlight stories and share the experiences of those outside the mainstream.

Stephanie Roberts

Intern, university of king's college.

Stephanie Roberts is completing a master of journalism at the University of King’s College, with a focus on investigative and data journalism. She has a background in health and research communication and policy, and a science degree from the University of Toronto. She has a keen interest in health, science, social justice and people.

Student Journalist, StoryLab

Emma Posca is a journalism advanced diploma student at Humber College. She is passionate about investigative journalism and covering crime. Long-form storytelling is in her area of interest and she enjoys collaborating as a team to shed light on injustices happening anywhere in the world. In her spare time, you can find her exploring new places, hiking in forests and keeping her three-year-old entertained.

Ishmeet Singh

Ishmeet Singh is a journalism student at Humber College. His coverage at Skedline.com has included political, entertainment, and sports news. He is a passionate photographer and documentary filmmaker. He was born in New Delhi and calls Toronto home. He has covered various cities in India documenting the cultural and religious events as a part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Government of India) project. His interests include reporting for marginalized communities, locally and internationally. You can reach him at [email protected].

Nitika Mishra

Nitika Mishra a journalist passionate about making the world a better place. She is a feminist and has always stood up for human rights and openly condemns any form of action that threatens the rights of the 2SLGBTQI+ and POC community. She has worked with Karwan-e-Mohabbat or Peace Yatra, which is a countrywide civilian campaign in India that was launched to show solidarity with the victims of mob lynching or those victimized during the communal or religiously motivated violence. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she understands their fight for equality and has always taken part in parades and marches. Nitika has previously worked for ABP Networks, NDTV and Election Tamasha.

Ramona Leitao

Ramona Leitao (she/her) is an Ontario-based multimedia journalist. She’s reported for The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, The Narwhal, HuffPost Canada, NOW Magazine and The Local. Through her photo essays and written features, she documents how marginalized communities are impacted by politics, the ongoing climate crisis, agriculture and human rights issues. When she’s not working she’s most likely taking photos for fun, baking bread while listening to Studio Ghibli soundtracks or discovering hidden food spots in Toronto.

Shannon Bear

Research assistant.

Shannon Bear is from Peguis First Nation. She the daughter of Florence Bear and the late Brian Bear. For the past two years she has had the privilege to teach in her own community of Peguis First Nation. Shannon is currently in her second year of the Master’s in Development Practice Program at the University of Winnipeg. She is interested in learning strategic, innovative and holistic ways to improve social determinants of health for Indigenous people. She is particularly focused on Indigenous people’s access to and quality of education.

Rebecca Lyon

Indigenous research fellow.

Rebecca Lyon is Anishinaabekwe of mixed descent from North Bay, Ontario. She is a Ph.D student at Trent University looking at Indigenous Identity and Fashion. Some of Rebeccca's work includes being owner and creator of www.powwowjackets.com and writing the research report, "Emerging Voices: A dual examination into access to post-secondary education for Indigenous youth in Ontario, and what journalism schools in Ontario are doing to implement Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call To Action #86" for Journalists for Human Rights. She is the Indigenous Research Fellow for Surviving Hate.

Stephane Gunner

Intern, algonquin college.

Stephane Gunner is James Bay Cree from Mistissini, Quebec. Stephane plays a role in preserving and archiving the Cree language and culture through media. His educational and employment background is in the tourism industry, and he moved into journalism in 2018 to join CBC's Cree unit based in Montreal. A recent journalism graduate of Algonquin College, he joined Humber College's StoryLab team with an open mindset to collaborate in reporting and research. He is a lifelong learner committed to serving the community he engages in by contributing to the responsibility of transferring people's stories through journalism.

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Judy Appleton, Ph.D. Early Career Excellence in Research Award supports inaugural recipient’s work in cancer biology

Anushka dongre web pic.jpg.

Dr. Anushka Dongre, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), is the inaugural recipient of the Judy Appleton, Ph.D. Early Career Excellence in Research Award.

The award was established last year thanks to a generous gift from Geoff Letchworth, D.V.M. ’72, Ph.D. ’80 and provides significant resources for an assistant professor early in their career to add staff or necessary materials to their lab. It is named in honor of Dr. Judy Appleton, Emeritus Alfred H. Caspary Professor of Immunology, who conducted groundbreaking research on helminth infections and served as vice provost.

“I extend a very warm congratulations to Dr. Dongre,” said Lorin Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D.’94, Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Her promising work continues the legacy of excellence in research that is embodied by Dr. Appleton and supported thanks to the vision of Dr. Geoff Letchworth.”

Letchworth himself benefited from an early career scholarship for his work in virology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later went on to conduct research at the USDA laboratory in Wyoming. “The objective of this grant is to give Dr. Dongre the freedom to explore unexpected opportunities in her research independent of the delays inherent in the public grant system,” he said.

Working at the interface of cancer biology and immunology, Dongre uses mouse models to better understand how epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition — a process cancer cells undergo to metastasize — contributes to mesenchymal cells’ resistance to a form of immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibition.

Dongre brings a diverse scientific background to her research. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in microbiology from the University of Mumbai in India, she completed her Ph.D. in the lab of renowned immunologist Dr. Barbara Osborne at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Wanting to explore a new field while applying her expertise in adaptive immunology, she spent her postdoc years in the lab of Dr. Robert Weinberg, a leading expert in cancer biology at the Whitehead Institute at MIT. Here Dongre began to connect the plasticity of cancer cells with immunotherapy and the tumor microenvironment — research she brought with her to Cornell in early 2022.

For Dongre, the Judy Appleton award “couldn’t come at a better time, I’m very grateful,” she said. “We have many ideas of branching out and exploring different mechanisms by which mesenchymal cells are killed. This requires us to use some cutting-edge techniques, which are expensive. We can use some of these funds to leverage the best technology out there and combine it with our mouse models to address these difficult questions.” She also plans to recruit more personnel to her lab and mentor students, whose stipends she will now be able to pay.

In the long run, Dongre hopes to translate her findings from the mouse models to other species, including canine and feline carcinomas. “That’s the advantage of being here in the veterinary college,” she said. “Eventually we’ll get to human patient samples as well. The award is helping us with the next steps along this path.”

Dr. Paula Cohen, associate dean for research and graduate education, for one, is looking forward to seeing the direction Dongre’s work will take. “Dr. Letchworth's generous gift supports young scientists at a pivotal moment in their careers,” she said. “For Dr. Dongre, who has already proven herself using innovative approaches to studying the importance of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the genesis of breast carcinoma, this award could be transformative.”

Written by Olivia Hall

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College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

News & events, fifteen nsm faculty and two graduate students honored with uh faculty excellence and research excellence awards.

April 26, 2024

Awards Include UH’s Highest Faculty Honor - the Esther Farfel Award – Moores Professorships and Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Research

Congratulations to the 15 College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty members and two graduate students recognized for excellence in teaching, mentoring, scholarship and research. These exceptional faculty members and students were honored at the 2024 Faculty Excellence Awards celebration on April 25.

The awards are among the highest honors bestowed by the University of Houston.

“The 17 individuals recognized represent the best in teaching, research and mentorship,” said Dan E. Wells, NSM dean. “Their efforts are making a tremendous difference in the lives and career paths of our students.”

Esther Farfel Award – Zhifeng Ren

Zhifeng Ren , Paul C. W. Chu and May P. Chern Endowed Chair in Condensed Matter Physics, received the Esther Farfel Award, the highest honor accorded to a University faculty member. The award is a symbol of overall career excellence. Recipients are chosen for the significance and national/international impact of their research or creative activity, outstanding teaching ability, and distinctive and exemplary service to the University, the profession and the community. The award carries a cash prize of $10,000.

Moores Professorships

Mini Das , Physics Seema Khurana , Biology & Biochemistry This five-year, renewable professorship is given to faculty in recognition of outstanding teaching, research and service.

Teaching Excellence Awards

Distinguished leadership in teaching excellence.

Donna Pattison , Biology & Biochemistry This award is given in recognition of faculty who have made sustained and significant contributions to education within the context of their responsibilities as a full-time faculty member.

Teaching Excellence

Chin-Yo Lin , Biology & Biochemistry, CNRCS This award is given to faculty in recognition of outstanding achievements in teaching.

Teaching Excellence – Provost Core

Ann Cheek , Biology & Biochemistry Tai-Yen Chen , Chemistry This award is given to faculty who have demonstrated outstanding teaching in undergraduate core curriculum courses.

Teaching Excellence – Instructor/Clinical

Cathy Poliak , Mathematics This award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching by faculty instructors, clinical faculty, research faculty, artist affiliates and lecturers.

Teaching Excellence – Graduate Teaching Assistant

Lukasz Krzywon , Mathematics Elliot Lagueux , Biology & Biochemistry This award is given to graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in teaching.

Teaching Excellence – Group Teaching

Paige Evans , teach HOUSTON-Mathematics Jacqueline Ekeoba , teach HOUSTON-Mathematics Ramona Mateer , teach HOUSTON-Mathematics Rachel Glenn , teach HOUSTON-Mathematics This award recognizes faculty who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and student success, who have worked together collaboratively to improve student outcomes.

Undergraduate Research Mentor

Melissa Zastrow , Chemistry This award acknowledges faculty who are making a significant impact in their field by supporting and mentoring undergraduate students in research and scholarship endeavors and who have demonstrated at least five years of mentorship involvement.

Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity

Research excellence – professor.

Gopal Pandurangan , Computer Science This award recognizes faculty who have a substantial continuing record of outstanding research, scholarship and creative activities.

Research Excellence – Assistant Professor

Weiyi Peng , Biology & Biochemistry, CNRCS This award recognizes faculty who have demonstrated great potential in research, scholarship and creative endeavors by virtue of the exceptional quality of their early contributions.

- Kathy Major, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

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Narayanan seeks to enhance safety, efficiency of dynamic systems through AI

Pictured: Vignesh Narayanan surrounded by his undergraduate and graduate research assistants.

The statistics are impressive. According to GrandView Research, the global artificial intelligence (AI) market is valued at more than $196 billion. In addition, Forbes found that 83% of companies claim that AI is a top priority in their business plans.

Since 2021, Assistant Professor Vignesh Narayanan has taught in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and is affiliated with the Artificial Intelligence Institute of the University of South Carolina ( AIISC ) and Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment ( CAN ) Research Center. He is passionate about the integration between AI and dynamic systems, and its impact on safety and efficiency for consumers. Narayanan’s research surrounds the interaction between humans and dynamic systems to prevent such systems from unsafe behavior as they change over time.

Narayanan came to the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) from Washington University in St. Louis, where he conducted his post-doctorate research in applied mathematics, dynamical systems and computational neuroscience. He says his current faculty position is a good fit because of his interdisciplinary background.

“USC was looking for candidates with a unique background in dynamic modeling and AI with applications to neuroscience. It was a perfect fit for my background,” Narayanan says.

Much of Narayanan’s research involves dynamical systems theory, a field in applied mathematics where researchers study systems and how they change over time.

“This can refer to systems as diverse as sensor and computing systems, robotic systems, neural systems, chemical systems or batteries, but they can all be studied as dynamical systems because there is change in their behavior,” Narayanan says. “Researchers of dynamical systems and control try to understand this behavior to determine if the systems can be steered in a desired fashion, and to detect and compensate for deviations from safe behavior.”

According to Narayanan, the overarching importance of his collection of research boils down to enhancing the safety and efficiency of dynamic systems using AI. Traditionally, these systems were less interactive, but in the last few decades, AI and dynamic systems have become more integrated, such as the advent of cameras and autopilots in vehicles and chat bots used in health settings.

“You have AI models that try to make sense of data and a human user interacting with all these components. We want to make sure the AI systems are facilitating efficiency and safety,” Narayanan explains. “AI is becoming integrated with every system we use. These systems change over time, and we want to understand how they are evolving so we prevent deviation from safe behavior.”

Since arriving on campus, Narayanan has participated in several collaborative and independent research activities. This includes a study related to the dynamics of information dissemination and the formation of opinions. He and other researchers are analyzing the interactions of individuals with external sources, such as media and social media, to construct a simulator (digital twin) designed to comprehend the propagation of information in dynamic environments over time.

In conjunction with departments from the CEC and the USC School of Medicine , Narayanan is studying chat bots in hopes of increasing the safety and reliability of virtual health assistants (VHAs) in mental health settings. While current VHAs can perform simple tasks in medical settings, such as scheduling appointments and setting reminders, this project aims to produce safety constrained VHAs that adhere to medical guidelines and protocols, providing understandable user guidance.

“The difference in the number of patients and the practitioners available to help them is huge,” Narayanan says. “To ease the impact of this shortage, we are trying to develop a chat bot that can interact with patients on a greater level and help the practitioners and patients.”

Narayanan is also studying autopilot systems found in drones and ground vehicles to improve the collaboration between the AI software utilized in a device and the user, as well as between multiple such systems operating in tandem, improving both safety and performance. This field of research, called collaborating autonomy, ensures that AI and human systems collaborate instead of competing. For example, when a human driver is operating a vehicle with an automatic steering system, the driver continues to monitor the autopilot system to ensure it is not doing something harmful and intervenes when necessary. This collaboration is not seamless.

Furthermore, when these autopilot systems communicate with other autopilots when multiple drones or ground vehicles are working as a team to execute a shared task, that communication should be private and not, for example, easily accessible to unauthorized entities. Likewise, most AI systems rely on the data provided to them for learning. If they are fed with false or inaccurate data, it is crucial for the AI system to identify and flag such adversarial information, refraining from incorporating it into the learning process. Failure to do so could result in potential harm to the physical system or to the human user.

“These are all challenges when designing AI systems so that they can collaborate to complete a task efficiently,” Narayanan says. “We want to understand how that collaboration between humans and AI can be seamlessly designed.”

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

Assistant professor earns award for outstanding research publication 

April 19, 2024.

Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, assistant professor in the department of behavioral science and a team member from the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging , was selected to receive the 2024 Cordelia Myers AJOT Best Article Award, one of the highest honors in the nation for research articles in the field of occupational therapy. Research was completed under Sanders-Brown’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded T32 program while Rhodus was a postdoc, focusing on evidence to train caregivers of people with dementia to help them age in place.  

April also marks Occupational Therapy Month, celebrated nationally by the American Occupational Therapy Association. It is a time to honor this vital profession that helps people live life to its fullest, no matter their health condition, disability, or risk factors.

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