Metaverse Network Traffic Research Project

Research Outcomes

• Preprint paper 1: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.11894 

• Preprint paper 2: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.05184 

• Dataset V1: https://ieee-dataport.org/documents/metaverse-network-traffic-classification-and-prediction 

Summer work, 2024

In the summer of 2024, I led a research project on Network Optimization for Metaverse Network Traffic at the Ubiquitous, Intelligent, Communication, and Computing Lab (UICC) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). 

Professor Lian Zhao entrusted me with guiding a group of promising students. Having experience in both industry and academia, I was eager to design a research experience that mirrored the real-world demands of both career paths.

Through an interview process, we hired Austin and Mathew, two talented students eager to dive into this challenging project. Another dedicated student, Tim, expressed interest in volunteering and was welcomed into the team. Together, we embarked on a journey to explore cutting-edge solutions for optimizing metaverse network traffic, a rapidly evolving field with the growth of extended reality technologies.

The research work was carefully structured to balance rigorous academic exploration with practical industry-relevant skills. I made sure to mentor the students on technical aspects and how to approach problems and projects from both an academic researcher's and an industry professional's perspective. This dual focus was crucial in helping them grasp the significance of their work and prepare them for whatever career path they chose.

Under my leadership, the team worked tirelessly, and their dedication was evident in the exceptional results they achieved. Their significant growth, both in technical skills and in confidence, was a testament to the power of effective mentorship and collaboration, and should make us all proud of their achievements.

However, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support from Professor Zhao, who provided the platform and guidance for this project, and the contributions of Dr. Mushu Li, Dr. Ajmery Sultana, and all our supportive labmates at UICC. Their collective effort created an environment where innovation thrived, and each team member could push beyond their limits.

Austin's Words

During the summer of 2024, I worked in the Ubiquitous, Intelligent, Communication, and Computing Lab (UICC) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), formerly known as Ryerson University. As I approached the end of my third year in the  Computer Engineering program at TMU, I began contemplating my long-term goals. Given my passion for my field and my eagerness to deepen my knowledge, I began to wonder if a master's (or even a PhD) program is something I would like to pursue. Dr. Lian Zhao was one of my professors at the time. I approached her regarding a potential research assistant (RA) position at the university. I believed that working as an RA would provide me with valuable experience and insights into the nature of graduate-level work. After meeting with Senior PhD student Yoga Suhas Kuruba Manjunath, Dr. Zhao must have convinced him to take some students under his wing. After a brief interviewing process, I was hired alongside Mathew Szymanowski.

Right from the get-go, I could tell that Yoga would be a remarkable mentor under which to work. During the interview, I remember Yoga specifically asking why I was interested in RA work. I expressed how I was searching for purpose without pinpointing my future path. I believe Yoga took this and formulated our RA 'curriculum' to not only teach us research skills that would give us a deeper understanding of the graduate degree world but also technical skills such as project management, software development, and code management tools that we could use in our potential future workforce careers. Yoga always pushed Mathew and me to our maximum potential. Yoga was always dedicated and was willing to work with us one-on-one late into the night to assist us with our technical or personal skills. Yoga was easy to approach, supportive, and encouraging throughout my time in the UICC lab. Yoga vouched for us to present our work at the Leaders of Toronto event organized by IEEE Toronto to allow us to gather first-hand experience in showcasing our project and give constructive feedback at every step along the way. Despite precise times of stress, Yoga was always patient, understanding, and honest and maintained a sunny disposition. I am so glad I reached out to Dr. Zhao, as my time in the UICC lab with Yoga was truly remarkable, expanded my technical knowledge, and contributed to my personal growth.

I look forward to future collaborations with Yoga.

Mathew's Words

Over the summer, Yoga's mentorship has been instrumental in my growth as an engineer. Overseeing my Research Assistant role, he maintained a result-oriented approach, holding the team to a high standard while balancing teaching and self-learning. This balance helped me develop my technical skills and my ability to learn independently. Yoga's intuition for when to step in with guidance and when to encourage self-learning was spot-on, allowing me to gain confidence in problem-solving. He was also proactive in addressing inefficiencies, such as optimizing meeting times. He always made himself available to support the team—even putting in extra hours to ensure we met our deliverables. His commitment and mentorship were invaluable to my development. 

Tim's Words

Over the past summer, I had the privilege to work under Yoga as a Research Assistant. My experience with him has been nothing short of extraordinary, as his stellar mentorship has provided me with invaluable insights into myself and my abilities. 

Working closely with Yoga, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication and commitment that define a strong work ethic, which, in turn, inspired me to continuously push my own boundaries for improvement. Most importantly, Yoga’s leadership left a profound impact on me. His patience, guidance, and ability to bring out the best in each of us have set an example I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

Thank you, Yoga, for the invaluable lessons and support you’ve provided me throughout this experience. I know you will make an amazing professor one day! 

Poster of the work