The Valenzano Lab

Our group aims to be a safe, collaborative, welcoming, and scientifically stimulating environment for those interested in Artificial Intelligence and Sequential Decision Making. Our goal is to perform interesting and impactful research, while helping each other develop as scientists, learners, and human beings. Below, you can find a list of current and past members, as well as the lab code of conduct.

Current Members

Past Members

Daniel Platnick, MSc Student, 2025
Mehjabin Rahman, MSc Student, 2024
Akshara Debnath, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023
Afifa Tariq, MSc Student (Co-supervised by Professor Mikhail Soutchanski), 2021-2022
Ruoling (Kathy) Yu, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022
Shawn Cameron, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022
Naween Ahsan, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021

Lab Code of Conduct

We value all voices, regardless of experience and background. Doing so helps us to hear and integrate different ideas and viewpoints, which improves our ability to ask important scientific questions and grow as people. It is therefore critical that group members are comfortable contributing their opinions and representing their true selves.

To this end, we strive to foster a culture based around 1) learning and scientific inquiry; and 2) respect and professionalism. We elaborate on each of these topics, identify steps to take when issues arise, and provide links to relevant online resources below.

Learning and Scientific Inquiry

We value and prioritize learning so that we may all improve as scientists, learners, and human beings. We also aim to ask interesting, important, and impactful scientific questions, and to develop useful systems based on the different scientific outputs that result from such questions. To that end, group members are expected to:

• Be open and curious to new ideas and approaches.

• Be engaged and willing to share their resources and experiences with others.

• Always ensure there is room for participation by others.

• Provide constructive feedback to other group members and be receptive to such feedback from others.

• Provide and be open to help and support as needed.

• Value collaboration and be open to opportunities to work together.

• Be active and take initiative on the projects you are involved in.

• Demonstrate integrity when developing, performing, and analyzing the outcomes of experiments or other inquiries.

• Take necessary precautions when handling data.

• Be mindful of the ethical implications of our work. Such issues should be documented and mitigated as necessary.
  
  

Professionalism and Respect

We work in a professional environment where individuals shall be treated with respect regardless of experience, rank, background, identity, or experience. To that end, group members are expected to:

• Use welcoming and inclusive language, including preferred pronouns if known. Use gender-neutral language if preferred pronouns are not known.

• Strive for a positive lab environment.

• Respect each other’s personal space and belongings.

• Respect each other’s privacy. This includes not taking photographs of each other without permission.

• Be respectful when communicating with each other, whether that be verbally, electronically, or by text.

• Be respectful of each other’s time and understanding that everyone has their own personal situation and commitments outside of the group. This includes the following:

  • Be punctual and prepared for meetings.

  • When collaborating, work together to coordinate schedules, develop reasonable deadlines, and communicate issues as they arise.

  • Respond to emails and other communication within a reasonable time frame. However, do not expect communication over weekends or evenings, except when agreed upon in advance.

• Understand all forms of harassment, discrimination, exploitation, and bullying are not tolerated.

• Actively acknowledge the contributions of others.

• Acknowledge when mistakes are made and take concrete actions to correct them.

• Be cognizant of power imbalances due to age, rank, experience, identity, or other factors. As a group, we will ensure that no one is being exploited or put in a difficult situation due to such a power imbalance.

Handling Inappropriate Conduct

If a group member is aware of inappropriate behaviour or conduct that may be harmful to others, they should be proactive about dealing with it. Where reasonable, we should try to be understanding of mistakes, resolve it with the individual in question, and be constructive when providing feedback on such issues. A gentle reminder about the group’s code of conduct is often a productive response.

If the situation requires further action, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rick if you feel comfortable doing so or consult the university resources listed in the next section. In particular, if you are the victim or witness an act of discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence, and you wish to make a formal complaint, you may find information on doing so here.

Toronto Metropolitan University Resources

• The Office of the Vice President – Equity and Community Inclusion

• Toronto Metropolitan University Consent Comes First Office

• Toronto Metropolitan University Human Rights Services

• Toronto Metropolitan University Counselling