Author Archives: Youry Khmelevsky

A Computational Approach to Species Complexes

A Computational Approach to Species Complexes

Speakers: Dr. Jim Nastos and Clara Elliott
Computer Science Department
Okanagan College, Kelowna, BC

Time & Date: 06:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Location: Room E309, Computer Science Department, Okanagan College
Registration is open now:

Abstract:

Data clustering and classification are fundamental problems in data science, with applications in almost every field of study. In this talk, we present prototype software that applies a data science approach to identifying groups of closely related species and possible species complexes.

We will present our prototype software, which implements a pipeline that queries the GenBank and BOLD databases for genetic data, uses sequence alignment to generate measures of genetic similarity, and augments these measures with morphological data. Similarity relationships are visualized as network graphs, allowing users to identify and propose potential species groupings for further investigation.

This ongoing project has been jointly funded by Okanagan College’s Grants-in-Aid Fund and the College’s Department of Applied Science.

Speakers’ Bios:

Jim Nastos is a College Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Okanagan College in Kelowna, Canada. He earned degrees from the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia, and he has co-authored ten papers in refereed journals. His research interests include algorithmic graph theory, complex networks, complexity theory, social network analysis and their applications. His favourite biological taxon is Agelenopsis.

Clara Elliott is a fourth-year BCIS student with two years of experience as a research assistant on graph algorithms research projects at Okanagan College. Her favourite biological taxon is Felidae.

 

Join us for an exciting COSC student and professor research presentation!
Support and learn from students as they share their work.
Snacks and lunch will be provided, so bring your curiosity (and your appetite)!
We’d love to see you there!

For further information, please contact Youry Khmelevsky (email: Youry at IEEE.org)
Refreshments will be provided

The IEEE Thompson Okanagan Computer Science Education Symposium (IEEE TOK-CSES 2026)

Full Paper Submission Deadline Extended to 16 September 2026.

The IEEE Thompson Okanagan Computer Science Education Symposium (IEEE TOK-CSES 2026) is a regional symposium dedicated to advancing innovation in computer science and technology education (https://conferences.ieee.org/conferences_events/conferences/conferencedetails/72112).

Hosted by the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section, the symposium brings together educators, researchers, and industry practitioners to exchange ideas on teaching methodologies, educational tools, and emerging trends in computing education. It provides a platform to share research-driven insights and practical experiences from classrooms, labs, and industry training environments.

IEEE TOK CSES bridges the gap between theory and practice by encouraging contributions that explore new pedagogical approaches, evaluate instructional technologies, and report real-world teaching experiences. The symposium fosters a collaborative environment where participants can learn from both successful innovations and instructive challenges.

Through peer-reviewed presentations, interactive sessions, and community engagement, IEEE TOK CSES 2026 aims to strengthen the computing education ecosystem in the Thompson Okanagan region and beyond, supporting continuous improvement in the teaching and learning of computer science and related disciplines.

Venue

Event Dates: October 22 & 23, 2026 (8:45 am – 6:15 pm, for both days)
Location: CFL Atrium (E100), Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd., Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8

Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, Okanagan College offers a modern, accessible setting for technical exchange and collaboration. The venue offers an engaging in-person experience with research presentations, exhibits, and networking opportunities.

Important Dates

  • Full Paper Submission Deadline: September 7, 2026 (Extended: 14 16 September 2026 — Final Submission Deadline)
  • Notification of Acceptance: September 28, 2026
  • Final (Camera-Ready) Submission: October 12, 2026
  • Registration Deadline: October 12, 2026
  • Symposium Date: October 23, 2026

All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process, with multiple experts reviewing each paper to ensure quality and rigour.

Symposium Committees: http://www.okanagan.ieee.ca/tok-workshops/tok-cses-2026/tok-cses-2026-committees/ 

TOK-CSES2026 Call for Contribution and Participation: http://www.okanagan.ieee.ca/tok-workshops/tok-cses-2026/tok-cses2026-call-for-contribution-and-participation/

Register

Early Bird Registration (ending on September 28th, 2026 )

  • Admission, including Tax & Fees: $300
  • Conference Admission, without the Thursday banquet, including Tax & Fees: $250
  • Conference Admission for the Student/Retiree, including Tax & Fees: $100
  • Additional paper submission: $50

Registration Site

Please visit the (TBA) site to complete your registration. You must create an account (if you don’t already have one) on the TBA site.

Travel Information

Air Travel

Kelowna is easily reached by air. Its international airport (YLW) serves numerous Canadian cities and major hubs in the United States.

Airport Connections

A taxi or public transit is the most convenient way to travel from the airport to Okanagan College or a nearby hotel. Kelowna International Airport’s website can help you figure out a route on public transit.

Accommodations

We understand that finding the right accommodation is essential for a comfortable and convenient conference experience. We have partnered with two excellent hotels to provide you with options that suit your preferences.

The Shore – Exclusive Discount Promo:

Enjoy a special discount when booking your stay at The Shore. Simply use the code (TBA) when making your reservation online to take advantage of this limited-time offer. This code is valid for bookings between June 1st and July 31st.

Siesta Suites – Reservation by Phone:

Siesta Suites is just a phone call away if you prefer a more personalized approach to booking your accommodation. Contact (250) 763-5013 to their dedicated reservation team at the provided phone number. Mention that you are attending the conference to secure a room at the best available rate.

You can also explore the BC Government Employees Business Travel Accommodation Listing, which is available only to BC government employees, MLAs, members of the Judiciary system, contractors, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or State of Washington government employees, and BC public sector entities that are on the CSA User’s List.

Things to Do In Kelowna

Looking for more ideas? You can start out by checking out what Okanagan College has to offer by visiting the Okanagan College site. For some ideas on what to do in the Kelowna area, be sure to check out the Tourism Kelowna and City of Kelowna websites.

Food and Drink on Okanagan College Campus

Okanagan College offers two cafeteria options: Marmalade Cat Café and Keluli Café. In addition, there is The Market, where you can find grab-and-go meal options and locally sourced products.

There are many places on campus. Search for anything in particular!

2026-09-12@11 AM: IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Late Summer Social 2026

Join fellow IEEE Life Members (LMs), Affinity Groups/Chapters, Student members, and Thompson Okanagan Section leaders for our annual Summer Social! This event offers an excellent opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen our IEEE community.

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating another year with the IEEE Thompson Okanagan community!

Who can attend?

  • Free for all IEEE Members and senior non-members
  • Family members and guests are welcome (registration fee: $15 for non-members and  $5 for student non-members to cover food & drinks)

Photo/Media Policy: Photography, video, and audio recording may take place during the event. Participants may appear in photos or recordings taken for IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section activities. Individuals will not be identified in published materials without prior consent.

The Summer Social is organized by the Thompson Okanagan Section and supported by:

  • Thompson Okanagan Section Life Members
  • Thompson Okanagan Section Chapter, MTT17
  • Okanagan College Student Branch
  • Thompson Okanagan Section Affinity Group, CN
  • Thompson Okanagan Section Affinity Group, YP
  • Thompson Okanagan Section System Council Chapter, SYS45
  • University of British Columbia – Okanagan Student Branch

Date & Time: Saturday, September 12th, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: HS 101, Okanagan College, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8 (hybrid — see registration page for the URL)

Please register here to estimate how much food we need and to share dietary restrictions: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/575140

Draft Agenda:

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Registration and Welcome Refreshments (non-alcoholic)

11:30 – 11:45 AM | Opening Remarks

  • Welcome and event overview

11:45 – 12:15 PM | Introductions from IEEE Leaders

  • S. Carl Zanon, Life Members Affinity Group Chair and Vice President (10 minutes)
  • Vishal Balasubramanian, MTT-S Chapter Chair (5 minutes)
  • Kristina Cormier, Okanagan Student Branch President and IEEE Western Region Student Representative (5 minutes)
  • Youry Khmelevsky, Thompson Okanagan Section Chair (10 minutes)

12:15 – 3:00 PM | Networking Lunch & Social

  • Meet fellow IEEE members, affinity group participants, and student leaders
  • Learn more about IEEE membership benefits and opportunities
  • Share ideas for future section activities and collaborations

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Group Photo Session & Closing Remarks

Event Photos:

For questions, please contact Dr. Youry Khmelevsky at youry [at] ieee.org
Stay updated on future events by subscribing to our mailing list:
news-thompsonokanagan@listserv.ieee.org

2026 IEEE Thompson Okanagan (IEEE TOK) Section Annual General Meeting (AGM)

2nd IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section AGM (Hybrid)

Join us on March 27th at Okanagan College or online for our 2nd Annual General Meeting to celebrate our section’s milestones and help with our future direction. Click here to view the full agenda and register via vTools.

In-Person: Room HS101, Health Sciences Centre (HS Building), Okanagan College – Kelowna Campus, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC (Okanagan College Kelowna Campus Map)

Section AGM Agenda:

  • 5:10 PM – 5:25 PM – Welcome & Light Supper (Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, TOK Section Chair, 2026-03-27ThompsonOkanaganAGM)
  • 5:25-5:30 Carl Zanon, Life Members AG, Chair.
  • 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM – TOK Section Chair’s Report & Welcome
  • 5:45 PM – 5:55 PM – TOK Section Women in Engineering (WiE) Affinity Group Chair’s Report & Welcome — online (Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth)
  • 5:55 PM – 6:05 PM – TOK Section Young Professionals (YP) Affinity Group  Chair’s Report & Welcome (Dr. Ghazanfar Latif)
  • 6:05 PM – 6:15 PM – The Value of IEEE Membership and students’ applied research (Kristina Cormier, Ajitesh Parihar and Dolcy Sareen) – presentation
  • 6:15 PM – 6:30 PM – Coffee Break & Networking
  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Annual General Meeting (AGM) Business Session
  • 7:00 PM – 7:15 PM – Roundtable Discussion & Closing Remarks

Refreshments will be served for in-person attendees.

Meet Our Speakers:

Portrait of Youry Khmelevsky

Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, Ph.D., SMIEEE:

Dr. Youry Khmelevsky is the Chair of the IEEE Thompson Okanagan (TOK) Section and a Senior Member of the IEEE. He has been a driving force behind the section’s growth, leading the successful elevation from Subsection to Section status in 2024. Dr. Khmelevsky is a Professor of Computer Science at Okanagan College, where he focuses on Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Data Warehousing. Beyond his local leadership, he is actively involved in IEEE Region 7 (Canada) initiatives and has organized numerous international technical workshops and conferences.

Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth’s Bio:

Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth is an Assistant Professor in Computing Science at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the Chair of the IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE) Thompson Okanagan Affinity Group. Her research focuses on bioinformatics and applied machine learning, with a particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), microbiome analysis, and data-driven approaches in agriculture and health. Dr. Puthiyedth is actively involved in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in engineering and computing through her leadership in IEEE WiE initiatives and community engagement. She has contributed to the development of innovative teaching practices, including open educational resources, interactive learning methods, and industry-aligned student projects. Her work bridges academia and real-world applications, collaborating with industry partners and stakeholders to address pressing challenges in AMR and sustainable agriculture. She is passionate about mentoring students and fostering interdisciplinary research that creates meaningful societal impact.

Dr. Ghazanfar Latif’s Bio:

Dr. Ghazanfar Latif is the Secretary of the IEEE Thompson Okanagan (TOK) Section and the Chair of the IEEE Young Professionals (YP) Affinity Group. He is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Thompson Rivers University and a Senior Member of IEEE. Dr. Latif has an extensive research portfolio with over 100 publications and 14 US patents, and he has been recognized as one of the world’s top 2% scientists and has received several international awards. Beyond his leadership roles, he actively contributes to the academic community by organizing international conferences as General Chair, serving on editorial boards, and mentoring students on cutting-edge artificial intelligence and data science projects.

Kristina Cormier’s Bio:

Kristina Cormier is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College. She has always been curious about science and technology. Recently, she has discovered a passion for data analysis and machine learning algorithms. Kristina is the Chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch. She coordinates with her team to help organize events and volunteering. Kristina truly enjoys mentoring, meeting new people and discovering new opportunities.

Dolcy Sareen’s Bio:

Dolcy Sareen is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College. Dolcy is also the webmaster of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch. She is passionate about learning new technologies, with a strong focus on data. Dolcy enjoys connecting with people and continuously learning from new experiences.

Ajitesh Parihar’s Bio:

Ajitesh Parihar is a fourth-year Computer Science student and a Research Assistant at Okanagan College. He is a tech enthusiast who enjoys learning about innovations and technologies and is passionate about software engineering, cybersecurity, and algorithms. He enjoys meeting and working with people with diverse backgrounds.

 

Photographs:

    

 

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with IEEE members, learn more about IEEE benefits, and participate in discussions about the section’s future.

For questions, please contact Dr. Youry Khmelevsky at youry [at] ieee.org
Stay updated on future events by subscribing to our mailing list:
news-thompsonokanagan@listserv.ieee.org

Winter School on AI and Engineering

The Winter School on AI and Engineering. The event is jointly organized by Thompson Rivers University (Computing Science and Engineering)  and the IEEE Women in Engineering Thompson Okanagan Affinity Group.

Time & Date: 5:00–7:00 PM (PST), Wednesday, February 18, 2026
OC Location: TRU, Kamloops (in-person and online): Alumni Theatre, Clock Tower, TRU. 

Please Register Here: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/534267

The Winter School brings together academic and industry speakers to discuss current developments in AI across healthcare, cybersecurity, and engineering.

We would really appreciate it if you could share this event with your students, colleagues, and professional networks who may be interested. We are hoping to reach a broad audience across academia and industry.

Agenda:

  • 5.00 to 5.10 – Session Opening
  • 5.10 to 5.25 – Opening Remarks – Dr. Airini, President & Vice-Chancellor, TRU, Thompson Rivers University
  • 5.30 to 5.45 – Dr. Yasin Mamatjan, Chair, Engineering Department, TRU
  • 5.50 to 6.05 – Dr. Musfiq Rahman, Chair, Department of Computing Science, TRU
  • 6.10 to 6.25 – Mr. Behnam Ousat, Senior Software Engineer, Microsoft
  • 6.30 to 6.45 – Dr. Maryam Davoudpour, Chair IEEE WiE Canada
  • 6.45 to 7.00 – Q/A and Networking

For further information, please contact:
Nisha Puthiyedth <nputhiyedth [at] tru.ca>
and subscribe to the news at NEWS-THOMPSONOKANAGAN@listserv.ieee.org
Light supper and snacks will be provided

The end of the year with the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section and IEEE TOK Student Branches! Inauguration of the Women in Engineering and Consultants Network affinity groups, and the new Systems Council Chapter (UBCO, TRU and OC)

Time & Date: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
OC Location: Room HS 101 and online on Zoom at Okanagan College, Kelowna, and
TRU, Kamloops (in-person and online): Alumni Theatre, Clock Tower, TRU. 

Please Register Here: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/523059

Celebrate the end of the year with the IEEE Okanagan Section (Affinity Groups and Chapters) and IEEE TOK Student Branches!
Inauguration of new Women in Engineering and Consultants Network affinity groups, as well as a new Systems Council Chapter. It will be held in parallel at TRU in Kamloops and OC in Kelowna (Zoom bridge).
Enjoy good company, festive drinks, and delicious food as we reflect on the past year.
Celebrate the end of the year with the IEEE Okanagan Section and IEEE Okanagan College Student Branches! Enjoy good company, festive drinks, and delicious food as we reflect on the past year.
We’ll also share details about our upcoming Section Elevation Celebration in early 2026—don’t miss it!

Draft Agenda:

  • 16:45 – 17:00 – Coffee & Networking
  • 17:00 – 17:05 – Opening Remarks (Welcome WiE AG,  Consultancy Networks AG, & System Council Chapter) – Youry Khmelevsky
  • 17:05 – 17:10 – Opening Remarks & Welcome WiE AG – Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth, Assistant Professor, TRU
  • 17:10 – 17:20 – Guest Speaker for WiE AG – Dr. Greg Anderson, Dean of Science, TRU
  • 17:20 – 17:30 – Guest speaker for WiE AG – Dr. Musfiq Rahman, Chair of the Department of Computing Science, TRU
  • 17:30 – 17:40 – Guest speaker for WiE AG – Dr. Yasin Mamatjan, Chair of the Department of Engineering
  • 17:40 – 17:45 – Guest speaker for WiE AG – Dr. Catherine Tatarniuk, Faculty Advisor, TRUSU WIE
  • 17.45 – 17.50 – Closing & Thank You for WiE – Dr. Zeinab, TRU
  • 17:50 – 18:00 – Coffee & Networking
  • 18:00 – 18:10 – Consultancy Networks AG – Youry Khmelevsky
  • 18:10 – 18:20 – Systems Council Chapter – Youry Khmelevsky
  • 18:20 – 18:30 – IEEE Student Branch – Kristina Cormier
  • 18:30 – 18:40 – LM AG Speaker – Carl Zanon
  • 19:40 – 19:45 – Closing & Thank You – Youry Khmelevsky
  • 18:45 – 20:00 – Year End Social – Dinner & Discussions

During the Event

Kamloops:

Kelowna:

 

For further information, please contact:
Kristina.Cormier [at] ieee.org (OC)
and subscribe to the news at NEWS-THOMPSONOKANAGAN@listserv.ieee.org
Light supper and snacks will be provided

IEEEXtreme 19.0 24 hours programming competition at Okanagan College (OC and UBCO IEEE Student Branches) and at Thompson River University (TRU Student Branch), and LMs Mentoring Session

IEEEXtreme 19.0 24-hour programming competition at Okanagan College (OC and UBCO IEEE Student Branches) and at Thompson River University (TRU Student Branch), and LMs Mentoring Session

Date & Time: 5:00 p.m. (Friday, Oct 24, 2025) – 5:00 p.m. (Saturday, Oct 24, 2025) – 24-hour event
Location: Rooms E301, E302, E303, and E108 (Lunch Room), Computer Science Department, Okanagan College (In-Person)

Register as a participant and sign up for food and snacks here.

The IEEE Student Branch at Okanagan College and the IEEE Okanagan Subsection are proud to host IEEEXtreme 19.0!

IEEEXtreme is a global, 24-hour programming competition where teams of IEEE student members, supported by an IEEE Student Branch and proctored by an IEEE member, compete to solve a series of programming challenges. Learn more: ieeextreme.orgDuring the competition:

At TRU:

For further information, please contact:
Kristina.Cormier [at] ieee.org (OC) or charlotte.ford [at] @ieee.org (UBCO).
and subscribe to the news at NEWS-THOMPSONOKANAGAN@listserv.ieee.org
Refreshments and snacks will be provided

IEEE Day Celebration with OC IEEE SB and Thompson Okanagan Section

IEEE Day Celebration with OC IEEE SB and Thompson Okanagan Section

Time & Date: 11 am – 1:00 pm, October 17th, 2025
Location: Okanagan College Center for Learning Atrium, 1000 KLO Rd., Kelowna, BC

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/505769 

Abstract: IEEE Day is an annual event celebrating the first time in history when engineers worldwide gathered to share their technical ideas in 1884. One of IEEE Day’s objectives is to showcase how IEEE members in local communities collaborate on ideas that leverage technology to build a better tomorrow (https://ieeeday.org/).

During the celebration:

   

 

For further information, please contact Kristina.Cormier [at] ieee.org
and subscribe to the news at NEWS-THOMPSONOKANAGAN@listserv.ieee.org
Refreshments and snacks will be provided

IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Young Professionals Affinity Group Inauguration

IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Young Professionals Affinity Group Inauguration

Date:  Friday, October 17th, 2025
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: Alumni Theatre, Clock Tower, TRU

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/506260

AGENDA

  • 5:00-5:10 PM Welcome Note Dr. Ghazanfar Latif, Chair IEEE YP Affinity Group, TOK Section
  • 5:10-5:25 PM Guest Speech from TRU Dr. Musfiq Rahman, Chair, Computing Science, TRU
  • 5:25-5:40 PM Guest Speech from UNBC Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Chair, Computer Science, UNBC
  • 5:45-6:00 PM IEEE TOK Section Chair Speech Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, Chair TOK Section
  • 6:00-5:20 PM Coffee Break & Networking Discussions & Interactive Q&A
  • 5:20-5:30 PM About IEEE Students Branches Kristina Cormier, OC-IEEE Student Branch President, Okanagan College
  • 5:30-5:40 PM About IEEE Day Kenji Lopez, TRU-IEEE Student Branch President
  • 5:40-5:50 PM IEEE Extreme Competition Fazil Padaniya, President, Bioinformatics Club
  • 5:50-6:00 PM Closing & Group Photos

 

 

 

 

For further information, please get in touch with Ghazanfar Latif <glatif at tru.ca>
and subscribe to the news at NEWS-THOMPSONOKANAGAN@listserv.ieee.org
Refreshments and snacks will be provided

IEEE Canada Students and Young Professionals Congress 2025 such a success!

IEEE Canada Students and Young Professionals Congress
(12-14 September 2025)

This year’s Congress brought together an incredible community of students, young professionals, academics, and industry leaders from across Canada to learn, collaborate, and innovate. We’re proud to share some highlights:

  • 190+ Participants
  • 45 Academic Institutions
  • 35 Industry Representatives, Partners, and Sponsors
  • 50+ Speakers

See more here:

 

The Thompson Okanagan Section participated in the Congress:

  • Kristina Cormier, 4th Year Student, Computer Science, Okanagan College
    • IEEE Western Region Student Representative
    • Okanagan College Student Branch Chair
  • Dr. Vishal Balasubramanian Ph.D., B.Eng., Electrical Engineering, The University of British Columbia
    • IEEE MTT-S Graduate Fellow | Outstanding YP Lecturer, Affiliate Member, TC-26 RFID, WIRELESS SENSOR AND IOT, IEEE MTT-S (link)
  • Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, Thomson Okanagan Section Chair and OK SB Councillor

Please see below some photos from the Congress. Let me know if you have any additional information or questions.