Q-AICONLab

People

Our team

Meet our researchers in electrical engineering and computer science at Western University.

Portrait of Dr. Fang (Fiona) Fang

Fang (Fiona) Fang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor · Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Department of Computer Science, Western University, Ontario, Canada

Academic milestones

Principal Investigator

Dr. Fang Fang received a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, in 2017. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science, Western University, Canada.

Prior to joining Western University, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at Durham University, UK, from 2020 to 2022, and a Research Associate in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, from 2018 to 2020.

Research interests

Machine learning for intelligent wireless communications, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), multi-access edge computing (MEC), semantic communications, and edge AI.

Academic service

  • Editor, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (TWC)
  • Editor, IEEE Transactions on Communications (TCOM)
  • Editor, IEEE Communications Letters (CL)
  • General Chair, EAI GameNets 2022
  • Publications Chair, IEEE VTC 2023 Fall
  • Symposium Chair, IEEE Globecom 2023, IEEE VTC 2024 Spring, and IEEE ICC 2025

Awards and recognition

  • Engineering Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Western Engineering, 2024–2025
  • IEEE SPCC Early Achievement Award, 2023
  • Exemplary Editor, IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, 2023, 2021
  • Exemplary Reviewer, IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, 2023, 2021
  • Exemplary Reviewer (top 2%), IEEE Transactions on Communications, 2021 & 2017

Contact and links

Postdoctoral Researchers

Portrait of Dr. Ximing Xie

Dr. Ximing Xie

Postdoctoral Associate

B.E. from Harbin Institute of Technology, M.S. from University College London, and Ph.D. from The University of Manchester. Currently a postdoctoral associate at Western University.

Interests: Beyond-5G wireless networks, Machine learning, NOMA

Selected publications (7)
  1. X. Ma, F. Fang, X. Xie, X. Wang and L. Hanzo, “EQE-QAOA: An Equivalence-Preserving Qubit Efficient Framework for Combinatorial Optimization,” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, 2026.
  2. X. Xie, F. Fang, Z. Ding and X. Wang, “Pinching Antennas in Blockage-Aware Environments: Modeling, Design, and Optimization,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 25, pp. 21513-21528, 2026.
  3. L. Zhuang, X. Xie, F. Fang, A. Attaran and Z. Zhang, “Robust and Secure Transmission for Movable-RIS-Assisted ISAC With Imperfect Sense Estimation,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 25, pp. 17071-17085, 2026.
  4. Y. Chen, G. Qiang, X. Xie, B. Wang, D. Cai, M. Diyan, T. Liu and F. Fang, “Personalized Vehicular Health Diagnosis via Large Language Model,” IEEE Communications Standards Magazine, 2026.
  5. X. Xie, F. Fang, Z.Ding and X. Wang, “A Low-Complexity Placement Design of Pinching-Antenna Systems,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 1784-1788, Aug. 2025.
  6. X. Xie, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Rethinking Power Minimization in a Downlink Hybrid NOMA Network,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 953-957, May 2025.
  7. X. Xie, F. Fang, L. Zhang and X. Wang, “Power-Efficient Optimization for Coexisting Semantic and Bit-Based Users in NOMA Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 73, no. 12, pp. 14183-14196, Dec. 2025.

Ph.D. Students

Portrait of Guan Qiang
Portrait of Bibo Wu

Bibo Wu

Ph.D. Student

B.E. and M.E. from Chongqing University; pursuing a Ph.D. at Western University, Canada.

Interests: Federated learning, NOMA, Machine learning for intelligent wireless communications

Selected publications (7)
  1. B. Wu, F. Fang and X. Wang, “Optimizing Value of Learning in Task-Oriented Federated Meta-Learning System over NOMA Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 2026.
  2. B. Wu, F. Fang, M. Zeng and X. Wang, “Straggler-Resilient Federated Learning Over a Hybrid Conventional and Pinching Antenna Network,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 75, no. 7, pp. 15404-15409, July 2026.
  3. B. Wu, F. Fang and X. Wang, “Stackelberg Game Enabled Performance Enhancement in Digital Twin-Assisted Federated Learning with Reputation-Aware Client Selection,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 10502-10516, Dec. 2025.
  4. B. Wu, F. Fang and X. Wang, “Optimizing Value of Learning in Task-Oriented Federated Meta-Learning Systems,” the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC-2025), pp. 4020-4025, June 2025.
  5. B. Wu, F. Fang, X. Wang, D. Cai, S. Fu, and Z. Ding, “Client Selection and Cost-Efficient Joint Optimization for NOMA-Enabled Hierarchical Federated Learning,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 10, pp. 14289-14303, Oct. 2024.
  6. B. Wu, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Joint Age-based Client Selection and Resource Allocation for Communication-Efficient Federated Learning over NOMA Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 179-192, Jan. 2024.
  7. B. Wu, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Performance Optimization of Digital Twin Assisted Federated Learning over NOMA Networks Using Stackelberg Game,” the 2024 IEEE 100th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2024-Fall), pp. 1-6, Oct. 2024.
Portrait of Yushen Chen

Yushen Chen

Ph.D. Student

B.S. (Hons.) and M.S. in computer science from Western University, Canada, in 2023 and 2025; pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Computer Science at Western.

Interests: Federated learning, Deep learning, Wireless communications

Selected publications (2)
  1. Y. Chen, G. Qiang, X. Xie, B. Wang, D. Cai, M. Diyan, T. Liu and F. Fang, “Personalized Vehicular Health Diagnosis via Large Language Model,” IEEE Communications Standards Magazine, 2026.
  2. Y. Chen, F. Fang, B. Wang and L. Zhang, “An Efficient Federated Learning Framework for IoT Intrusion Detection,” the 2024 IEEE 100th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2024-Fall), pp. 1-7, Oct. 2024.
Portrait of Xiaoyu Ma

Xiaoyu Ma

Ph.D. Student

M.S. from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; pursuing a Ph.D. at Western University, Canada.

Interests: Quantum computing, Optimization for communication systems

Selected publications (3)
  1. X. Ma, F. Fang, X. Xie, X. Wang and L. Hanzo, “EQE-QAOA: An Equivalence-Preserving Qubit Efficient Framework for Combinatorial Optimization,” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, 2026.
  2. X. Ma, F. Fang and X. Wang, “QAOA-Based Pilot Assignment for Cell-Free Massive MIMO Systems,” IEEE Quantum Week 2026 Workshop on Signal and Information Processing in the Quantum Era, 2026.
  3. X. Ma, F. Fang, T. Liu and X. Wang, “Dynamic Authentication and Granularized Authorization With a Cross-Domain Zero Trust Architecture in Large-Scale IoT Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, vol. 13, pp. 5888-5904, 2026.
Portrait of Omar Erak

Omar Erak

Ph.D. Student

B.Sc. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada; pursuing a dual Ph.D. with the 6G Research Centre, Khalifa University, UAE, and Western University, Canada.

Interests: Semantic communication, Edge computing, Internet of Things

Selected publications (9)
  1. O. Erak, O. Alhussein, F. Fang and S. Muhaidat, “Topology-Preserving Deep Joint Source-Channel Coding for Semantic Communication,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 30, pp. 2974-2978, 2026.
  2. O. Erak, O. Alhussein and W. Tong, “Contrastive Learning and Adversarial Disentanglement for Privacy-Aware Task-Oriented Semantic Communication,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 13, no. 12, pp. 25948-25965, June 2026.
  3. O. Erak, O. Alhussein, H. Abou-Zeid, M. Bennis and S. Muhaidat, “Adaptive Token Merging for Efficient Transformer Semantic Communication at the Edge,” IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 7, pp. 4112-4128, 2026.
  4. F. M. A. Khan, M. Hallaq, H. Abou-Zeid, O. Erak, O. Waqar, S. A. Hassan, O. Alhussein and E. Hossain, “Model Compression for Sustainable AI in xG Wireless Networks: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions,” IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 28, pp. 5747-5791, 2026.
  5. N. Alabbasi, O. Erak, O. Alhussein, I. Lotfi, S. Muhaidat and M. Debbah, “TeleOracle: Fine-Tuned Retrieval-Augmented Generation With Long-Context Support for Networks,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 13170-13182, May 2025.
  6. O. Erak, O. Alhussein, H. Abou-Zeid and M. Bennis, “Adaptive Pareto-Optimal Token Merging for Edge Transformer Models in Semantic Communication,” 2025 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), pp. 969-974, Dec. 2025.
  7. O. Erak, N. Alabbasi, O. Alhussein, I. Lotfi, A. Hussein, S. Muhaidat and M. Debbah, “Leveraging Fine-Tuned Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Long-Context Support: For 3GPP Standards,” 2024 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), pp. 1-6, Dec. 2024.
  8. O. Erak, O. Alhussein, S. Naser, N. Alabbasi, D. Mi and S. Muhaidat, “Large Language Model-Driven Curriculum Design for Mobile Networks,” 2024 IEEE/CIC International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC), pp. 179-184, Aug. 2024.
  9. O. Erak and H. Abou-Zeid, “Accelerating and Compressing Deep Neural Networks for Massive MIMO CSI Feedback,” ICC 2023 - IEEE International Conference on Communications, pp. 1029-1035, June 2023.

Alumni

Portrait of Oladayo Richard Ogunjimi

Oladayo Richard Ogunjimi

Former MESc Student

Former MESc student whose research focused on semantic communications and semantic technologies to improve communication efficiency.

Interests: Semantic communications, Machine learning, Wireless communication, IoT devices

Selected publications (1)
  1. O. R. Ogunjimi, F. Chen, F. Fang and X. Wang, “A Goal-Oriented Context-Aware Adaptive Semantic Communication Scheme Using a Semantic Mask Module,” 2025 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops), pp. 1711-1716, June 2025.
Portrait of Dr. Hong Chen

Dr. Hong Chen

Former Postdoctoral Associate (2023–2025)

Ph.D. from McMaster University (2023). Postdoctoral Associate at Western University from 2023 to 2025. Since July 2025, Assistant Professor and Cisco Research Chair in IoT, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Brunswick.

Interests: Semantic communications, Cloud and multi-access edge computing, Intelligent IoT systems

Selected publications (3)
  1. H. Chen, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Knowledge Sharing-enabled Semantic Rate Maximization for Multi-cell Task-oriented Hybrid Semantic-Bit Communication Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 73, no. 12, pp. 14364-14380, Dec. 2025.
  2. H. Chen, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Collaborative Knowledge Sharing-empowered Effective Semantic Rate Maximization for Two-tier Semantic-Bit Communication Networks,” the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC-2025), pp. 1-6, June 2025.
  3. H. Chen, F. Fang, and X. Wang, “Semantic extraction model selection for IOT devices in edge-assisted semantic communications,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 28, no. 7, pp. 1733-1737, July 2024.
Portrait of Junjie Wang

Junjie Wang

Former Visiting Ph.D. Candidate

Visiting Ph.D. candidate from Zhengzhou University; B.Eng. in information engineering from Zhengzhou University (2018).

Interests: Secure communications, Physical layer security, Channel estimation

Selected publications (1)
  1. J. Wang, F. Fang, G. Han, N. Wang and X. Wang, “Joint Secrecy Rate Achieving and Authentication Enhancement via Tag-based Encoding in Chaotic UAV Communication Environment,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 12, no. 8, pp. 9491-9507, April 2025.
Portrait of Ling Zhuang

Ling Zhuang

Former Visiting Ph.D. Candidate

Visiting Ph.D. candidate from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST); B.Eng. in electronic information engineering from NUIST (2018).

Interests: Intelligent reflecting surfaces, Physical layer security, Beamforming

Selected publications (1)
  1. L. Zhuang, X. Xie, F. Fang, A. Attaran and Z. Zhang, “Robust and Secure Transmission for Movable-RIS-Assisted ISAC With Imperfect Sense Estimation,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 25, pp. 17071-17085, 2026.

Lab life

Life at Q-AICON

Q-AICON Lab members together at the IEEE ICC conference in Montreal, June 2025
IEEE ICC Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. June 10, 2025
Q-AICON Lab members gathered to celebrate Dr. Hong Chen’s faculty appointment
Celebrating Dr. Hong Chen’s appointment as Assistant Professor.
A second group photo from the celebration of Dr. Hong Chen’s faculty appointment
Celebrating Dr. Hong Chen’s appointment as Assistant Professor.