Mehdi Niknam received his PhD from the University of Manitoba (U of M) in 2017 with a focus on adaptive learning path recommendation systems using Soft Computing. In 2009, he explored the development of an ontology in natural language understanding systems for his MSc at U of M. He received his BSc in Software Engineering from Shomal Higher Education Institute in Iran. Before joining the School of Information Technology at Carleton University, Mehdi worked as an instructional technology specialist at the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at U of M, developing integrated software solutions to support teaching and learning. In addition, Mehdi taught introduction to Computer Science and introductory and advanced programming courses as an instructor in the Computer Science department at U of M and for the International College of Manitoba from 2009 to 2022.