University of Winnipeg

Bio


Education

I have a B.E. in Electronic Systems (1986) from Tec de Monterrey - Monterrey Campus, a M.Sc. in Computer Science (1992) from University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a Ph.D. in Computer Science (2006) from University of Manitoba.


My Ph.D. thesis topic was Biologically Inspired Peer-to-Peer Distributed File Systems that combines the fields of complex adaptive systems, distributed systems and systems research. My PhD thesis research was supervised by Professor Ken Barker.


Research

My research has been in the broad field of Biomedical Informatics and Distributed Computing. Biomedical Informatics is an interdisciplinary field that is uniquely placed at the intersection of medical sciences, health care, social sciences, information systems, mathematics, computer science and engineering among others. Due to its multidisciplinary roots, Biomedical Informatics is both a science and an art. Biomedical Informatics not only draws knowledge from these fields but also advises them with methods, techniques and theories.

In Biomedical Informatics I have focused my research to develop systems and models that help in the acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation of the patient health information. In Distributed Computing I have focused on the use of complex systems models that help to achieve methodology for the design and implementation of distributed systems. My current research is focused in the area of complex systems and its applications to health systems and distributed computing. Previously I did research on heath information systems and medical imaging informatics.

All these areas of research make heavy use of knowledge obtained from the scientific research of their multidisciplinary roots. The interdisciplinary research makes these areas quite interesting with many exciting challenges.

Current (2014 - now):

Complex Systems and its Applications to Health Systems and Distributed Computing


Research in Complex Systems and its Applications to Health Systems and Distributed Computing develops and applies advanced tools and approaches essential for the understanding of the structure and function of health systems and distributed systems design. Complex adaptive systems are utilized to simulate and model emergent properties in health and distributed systems. For instance data from EEG (Electroencephalogram) devices that are spatially and temporarily distributed can be collected, then complex systems models and simulations can be built to infer patterns (e.g. brain system patterns). This research can provide insight that potentially can help in understanding brain processes and mechanisms, which can be applied for improved distributed systems designs based on complexity sciences

Projects underway where our research team is participating includes: Previously, we did projects in this area on:

Previous (1999 – 2013):

Health Information Systems

Health Information Systems research, develop and assess methods and systems for the acquisition, management, processing and interpretation of patient data. There is a data crisis at the hospital due to the large amount of data that are generated by information systems, their increase utilization and access by healthcare professionals anywhere. New methods to store, retrieve, manage and process data are needed to cope with these large volumes of medical information. I research and develop next generation computing systems, storage and high-speed telecommunication networks and distributed databases that help dealing with the health data management challenges of the hospital and the community. I have interests on distributed systems that extend the electronic medical record and other acute and primary care systems into a more ubiquitous integration with the community.

Sample projects in this area where our research team participated includes:

Medical Imaging Informatics


Medical Imaging Informatics applies informatics techniques and models to provide new schemes for storing, retrieving, managing, processing and transfering medical imaging data in distributed contexts. Distributed systems are researched that provide mechanisms for data management under these special conditions (e.g. large data volumes, mobile access). My research interest is focused on image management for clinical applications.

Sample projects in this area where our research team participated includes:


Professional Experience

Back in December 1985, six months before I finished my computer engineering degree, I was offered an entry position as a hardware researcher designing microprocessor based systems. This experience was important because it made clear to me that I had many things to learn in real life as practitioner, thus I decided to focus my career primarily in industry for the first years after finishing my engineering degree. This would changed later since I turned into academia for several years and then into research. I feel happy for this because I have had a good blend of academic, research and industrial experience during my professional life that gives me a broader perspective when I tackle new professional and personal challenges.

One thing that I soon realized in my early years as computer engineer was that the learning is a never-ending growing story. No matter where I am, I continuously learn new things at the different places I have been and from the people I have had the fortunate to collaborate with. Through these years I have participated in the following organizations.

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