Xinyao Sun, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

Artificial Intelligence Remote Sensing Multimodal Sensor Fusion Geospatial Monitoring Decentralized Systems

About

I am an applied AI researcher and co-lead of the ROSS (Remote Observation and Smart Sensing) research team at MRC (Multimedia Research Centre), University of Alberta, where I also hold a position as an Adjunct Professor in the Computing Science Department. My work turns large-scale, real-world data into reliable decision-support systems, spanning multimodal sensor fusion, wide-area monitoring, remote sensing, and AI reasoning for energy, agriculture, and environmental applications. I also serve as the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Matrix Labs Inc., bridging academic research with practical industry applications. Throughout my career, I have contributed to research fields including deep learning, human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, and decentralized systems, while collaborating with talented teams and students. I aim to continuously explore how technology can advance both academic and industrial innovation.

Research

My research centers on applied artificial intelligence for real-world sensing and decision-making, including multimodal sensor fusion, remote observation, wide-area monitoring, and reasoning systems that turn heterogeneous field and sensor data into explainable recommendations, with applications across energy, agriculture, and environmental domains. I have been involved in projects ranging from satellite signal processing and geospatial data analysis to AI-driven monitoring systems, and a significant part of my work leverages deep learning to improve geospatial monitoring. My research also extends to decentralized systems, cybersecurity, and secure Web3 applications. My goal is to develop technologies that address real-world challenges, while also contributing to the advancement of knowledge in both academic and industry settings.