Dr. Waleed Ejaz is a Lakehead University Research Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Barrie Campus of Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada. He received the Lakehead Research Excellence Award for his significant research contributions during 2022–2024. Before joining Lakehead University, Dr. Ejaz served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering & Applied Science at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia (2018–2020). He has also held academic and research appointments at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Carleton University, and Queen’s University, contributing to teaching, research, and collaborative innovation across multiple Canadian institutions. Dr. Ejaz earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Information and Communication Engineering from Sejong University, South Korea. His research focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) communication and networking, 6G and beyond wireless networks, machine learning and artificial intelligence for wireless systems, and mobile edge computing. He has co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications and three books in these areas. Dr. Ejaz has an active record of editorial and professional service. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society and Springer Wireless Personal Communications. He has previously served as an Associate Editor for IEEE Communications Magazine and the IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has also completed a certificate program in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at the Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University, reflecting his strong commitment to pedagogical excellence. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario and a Senior Member of IEEE.

Dr. Ejaz has been actively engaged with IEEE through research, service, and leadership roles. He currently serves as the IEEE Student Branch Counselor for the IEEE Lakehead Barrie STEM Hub Student Branch, where he mentors undergraduate and graduate students and supports professional development, technical activities, and industry engagement. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Committee of the IEEE Toronto Section, contributing to regional IEEE initiatives, conferences, and outreach activities. Through these roles, Dr. Ejaz remains committed to strengthening the IEEE community, fostering student engagement, and enhancing IEEE’s impact across academia and industry.

Currently, Dr. Ejaz research focuses on 3D network architectures that integrate aerial and space-based platforms with terrestrial infrastructure, harnessing the sky to connect the unconnected. Primary focus is on the development and optimization of fifth-generation (5G) and future sixth-generation (6G) network architectures that are intelligent, integrated, and resource-aware. Beyond infrastructure and architecture, his research also investigates emerging paradigms such as semantic communication, where the focus shifts from transmitting raw data to conveying meaningful information.