Stephen Czarnuch
P.Eng., PhD

Associate professor

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Discipline of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Memorial University of Newfoundland

email: sczarnuch@mun.ca
phone: +1 (709) 864-8767

Profile

S. Czarnuch profile photo

Dr. Stephen Czarnuch, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, joint-appointed to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and the Faculty of Medicine, and director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at Memorial University. He is also currently serving as the co-chair of the joint Masters of Applied Science in Software Engineering and Masters of Artificial Intelligence, co-hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Department of Computer Science, and is the program coordinator for the Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Czarnuch obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on human motion and activity detection using computer vision and machine learning. He has extensive experience developing technologies for vulnerable populations, implementing a holistic, user-centered design philosophy centered on identifying user needs and evaluating health outcomes. His research is inherently interdisciplinary, lying at the intersection of engineering, computer science, medicine, gerontology, rehabilitation, psychology, and sociology. Specifically, he seeks to develop relevant, accessible, acceptable and adoptable patient-oriented technological interventions based on autonomously tracking human motion using computer vision. Further, he emphasizes the evaluation of technology efficacy by connecting academic research with healthcare providers and patients in a real-world context. His technical focus is on machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision.

Research

Two areas of interest, human motion tracking and public safety personnel, have formed the foundation of my biomedical engineering research which is situated at the intersection of engineering, computer science, medicine, gerontology and rehabilitation science. My general areas of research are:

  • Human detection, segmentation, classification, tracking, and activitiy recognition using computer vision.
  • 3D computer vision and image processing (e.g., point clouds), including object detection and identification, sensor orientation and perspective detection, and 3D data optimization.
  • Public safety communicators (e.g, 911, call-takers, dispatchers), with a particular interest in next-generation 911.

Graduate Students

Thesis

Raylene Mitchell; M.Eng.; Computer Engineering; 2021
Nadine Leduc; M.A.; Sociology; 2020
Angela Power; PhD; Humanities and community health; 2019
Zizui (Bear) Chen; PhD; Computer Engineering; 2019
Chengsi (Leo) Zhang; PhD; Computer engineering; 2018
Ali Ebrahimi; PhD; Computer engineering; 2017
Isaac Adejuwon; M.Eng.; Computer engineering; 2017

Graduate Students

Coursework

Runze An; M.A.Sc.; Text-to-trauma: Pre-screening next-generation 911 text messages to classify level of potential psychological trauma; 2020
Rajat Acharya; M.A.Sc.; Detection of the presence or absence of humans in digital images; 2020
Vigneshwar Ramaswamy; M.A.Sc.; Identification of image scale using neural networks; 2020
Tejhaskar Ashokkumar; M.A.Sc.; Automatic detection of image blur and distortion in RGB images; 2020
Christiana Fraderick; M.A.Sc.; Detection of image orientation and camera perspective; 2020
Viren Chaturbhai; M.A.Sc; Automated detection of fire/explosion in images and video sequences; 2020

Medical Students

Research

Aaron Wiseman; Immersive virtual reality and augmented reality in medical intern training; 2019
Eugene Krustev; Assessing Abnormal Gait in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis; 2017
Hamza Ballouk; Intelligent Technologies that can Assist Seniors with Dementia to Age at Home; 2017
Christen Vessey; Prosthetics for Dancers with Transtibial Amputations: A literature review; 2017

Partners

and Collaborators

Rosemary Ricciardelli, PhD (Sociology), Memorial University
APCO Canada, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada
CIPSRT, Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment
CUPE104, RCMP Telecom Operations and Intercept Monitoring

Lab Alumni

Annie Brown, M.O.H.S.; A Comparison of the Department of National Defense and the Mental Health Commission of Canada Versions of the Road to Mental Readiness Training Program; 2019
Andrew Hynes, M.Eng.; Developing a Pipeline for Gait Analysis with a Side-View Depth Sensor; 2018
Yan Tian; M.A.Sc.; Finger Joint Detection for Clinical Practice; 2016
Zheng Yang; M.A.Sc.; Human motion tracking-by-detection using point cloud data from multiple depth sensors; 2015

Funding

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC; 2016)
Canaidan Institute of Health Research (CIHR; 2018; 2018; 2017)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC; 2017)
Mitacs (Mitacs; 2020; 2018; 2018)
Memorial University (MUN; 2019; 2016; 2015)
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MS Society; 2014)

2020

  • Z. Chen and S. Czarnuch, "Performance improvements of neural networks on image classification tasks with depth image," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2020. PDF file icon
  • C. Zhang and S. Czarnuch, "Feature vector for multiple perspective independent point cloud registration," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2020. PDF file icon
  • C. Chang, Z. Chen and S. Czarnuch, "Toward synchronized, interference-free, distributed 3D multi-sensor real-time image capture," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2020. PDF file icon
  • R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, K. Martin, and N. Kuzmochka, "‘I’m not sick!... Are you?’: Groupthink in police services as a barrier to collecting mental health data," International Journal of Police Science & Management, p. 37, 2020 (in press).
  • N. Leduc, S. Czarnuch, and R. Stewart, "A census of Canadian public safety answering points: toward a national directory," Platform presentation at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, Toronto, Ontario, 2020 (Cancelled, COVID).
  • S. Czarnuch and R. Stewart, "Advances in artificial intelligence for emergency communications," Platform presentation at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, Toronto, Ontario, 2020 (Cancelled, COVID).
  • A. Hynes, S. Czarnuch, M. Kirkland, and M. Ploughman, "Spatiotemporal Gait Measurement with a Side-View Depth Sensor Using Human Joint Proposals," IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, p. 12, 2020. PDF file icon
  • C. Zhang and S. Czarnuch, "Perspective independent ground plane estimation by 2D and 3D data analysis," IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 82024-82034, 2020.PDF file icon
  • R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, R. N. Carleton, J. Gacek, and J. Shewmake, "Canadian Public Safety Personnel and Occupational Stressors: How PSP Interpret Stressors on Duty," International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, p. 4736, 2020.
  • R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, T. O. Afifi, T. Mooney, and R. N. Carleton, "Public Safety Personnel’s interpretations of potentially traumatic events," Occupational Medicine, Special Issue on Mental Health Issues in Uniform Services, pp. 1-7, 2020.
  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "Understanding the impact of prison work on the mental health of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada: Beginning a longitudinal study," Grant Knowledge Translation Report, Ottawa, ON,2020.
  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "An interdisciplinary and mixed method analysis of the Correctional Services Canada National Training Acedemy's Correctional Training Program: Building a 'toolbox' for correctional officer mental health and occupational success by identifying ways to optimize the impact of training for public safety personnel," Grant Knowledge Translation Report, Ottawa, ON,2020.
  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "Reliance on physical force or a preference for dynamic security: An ethnographic experience of the correctional officer training program at CSC," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum, Halifax, Canada, 2020.
  • S. Czarnuch and R. Ricciardelli, "Building on experiences in the correctional training program: Recommendations for technological advances," Correctional Services Canada, St. John's, NL,September 15, 2020.
  • S. Czarnuch and P. Cornish, "Are we still stepping up care?," Platform presentation at the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS): Stream on Evolving Landscapes in Campus Mental Health, Toronto, ON, 2020.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Evidence based medicine: Trusting the literature?," Invited talk at the Annual Emergency Medicine Academic Half-day, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2020.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Automated recognition of individual performers from de-identified video sequences,," 2020.

2019

  • C. Zhang and S. Czarnuch, "Perspective independent humanoid object detection by 2D and 3D data analysis," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2019. PDF file icon
  • R. Ricciardelli, D. Groll, D. McCreary, S. Czarnuch, G. M. Anderson, and R. N. Carleton, "Correctional work and mental health: Examining the impact on wellbeing of operational and organizational stressors," Poster presentation at the British Columbia First Responder Mental Health Conference, Richmond, British Columbia, 2019.
  • R. Ricciardelli, D. Groll, S. Czarnuch, R. N. Carleton, and H. Cramm, "Behind the frontlines: exploring the mental health and help-seeking behaviours of public safety personnel who work to support frontline operations," Annual Review of Interdisciplinary Justice Research (CIJS), vol. 8, pp. 315-348, 2019.
  • R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, and E. Andres, "Communication, coordination and knowledge Mobilization: Growing the correctional services section (compilation of reports on network development, communications, activities, internationalization, and operating)," Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), Regina, SK,March 25, 2019.
  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "Mental Health & Public Safety Personnel: A Focus on Correctional Services Canada," Platform presentation at the International Corrections & Prisons Association Annual Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019.
  • R. Ricciardelli, E. Andres, N. Kaur, S. Czarnuch, and R. N. Carleton, "Fit for Public Safety: Informing Attitudes and Practices Tied to the Hiring of Public Safety Personnel," Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, vol. 35, p. 25, 2019.
  • R. S. MacPhee, S. Czarnuch, K. Chokshi, R. Williscroft, and R. Stewart, "Understanding the landscape of Canadian Emergency Telecommunications by developing a national registry of public-safety answering points," Platform presentation at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, Halifax, Canada, 2019.
  • R. S. MacPhee, S. Czarnuch, K. Chokshi, R. Williscroft, and R. Stewart, "Engaging Public Communications Officials in Research: Development of a national registry," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum, Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada, 2019.
  • N. Kaur, E. Andres, R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, G. M. Anderson, and R. N. Carleton, "“Legitimate PTSD?”: Self-responsibilization and accountability of Public Safety Personnel (PSP) on trauma, help-seeking, and the role of resiliency as a personal attribute," Poster presentation at the British Columbia First Responder Mental Health Conference, Richmond, BC, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, and A. Mihailidis, "Informing the development of assistive technologies for persons with dementia by connecting financial measures of wealth to perceptions of task dependence," Technology and Disability, vol. 31, pp. 39-49, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, D. Groll, G. M. Anderson, and R. N. Carleton, "Accessing and delivering internet cognitive behavioural therapy in Newfoundland: Informing how British Columbia can respond to the mental health needs of public safety personnel " Poster presentation at the British Columbia First Responder Mental Health Conference, Richmond, British Columbia, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and R. Ricciardelli, "Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR)," Keynote at the Department of National Defence R2MR for Public Safety Personnel training in Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and R. Ricciardelli, "Internet Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Informing a national platform for Public Safety Personnel," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum, Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and R. Ricciardelli, "Internet Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (iCBT) technology review," Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), Regina, SK,March 29, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and S. Mongrain, "Impacting Mental Preparedness Training in Canadian Federal Correctional Workers," Platform presentation at the International Corrections & Prisons Association Annual Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. S. MacPhee, K. Chokshi, R. Stewart, and R. Williscroft, "Supporting emergency telecommunicators: Using artificial intelligence with Next Generation 911," Platform presentation at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, Halifax, Canada, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. S. MacPhee, K. Chokshi, R. Stewart, and R. Williscroft, "Next Generation 911: Supporting emergency telecommunicators using artificial intelligence," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum, Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and H. Cramm, "CIPSRT strategic communications recommendations," Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), Kingston, ON,March 5, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, P. Cornish, and R. Ricciardelli, "Stepping up care: Responding to student need," Platform presentation at the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS): Stream on Evolving Landscapes in Campus Mental Health, Calgary, AB, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. J. Astell, "Dementia-friendly future," in Using Technology in Dementia Care: A Guide to Technology Solutions for Everyday Living, A. J. Astell, S. Smith, and P. Joddrell, Eds., ed London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019, pp. 175-192.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Canadian Public Safety Personnel: Mental health and training opportunities," Invited talk at the Memorial University office of the Vice-President (Research); Networking event, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Academic perspectives on mental health in Public Safety Personnel," Invited talk at the Memorial University office of the President; Panel Discussion: Emergency Services Officials, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Together we are stronger: CIPSRT and iCBT," Invited talk at the Annual Emergency Medicine Academic Half-day, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Technology and Healthcare in an Occupational Health and Safety context," Guest lecture at the Annual Masters of Occupational Health and Safety Seminar, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Evidence based medicine: Trusting the literature?," Invited talk at the Annual Emergency Medicine Academic Half-day, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2019.
  • H. Cramm, R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, D. Groll, and R. N. Carleton, "Occupational stressors and health: beyond the ‘first responder’," Platform presentation at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Conference, Niagara Falls, Ontario, 2019.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Identifying individuals with dementia, MCI and physical impairment during group activities using machine learning on physical characteristics drawn from anonymous skeleton tracking data," Platform presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Technology and Dementia Pre-conference Los Angeles, USA, 2019.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Using anonymized skeleton motion tracking data and machine learning to identify individuals with dementia, MCI and physical impairment during group activities," Poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), Los Angeles, USA, 2019.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Using 3D skeleton movement data and machine learning to evaluate disease progression and the impact of treatments or interventions in people with dementia, MCI or physical impairment " Poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), Los Angeles, USA, 2019.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Identifying individuals with dementia, MCI and physical impairment during group activities using machine learning on physical characteristics drawn from anonymous skeleton tracking data," Poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Technology and Dementia Pre-conference Los Angeles, USA, 2019.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. Astell, "Evaluating disease progression and the impact of treatments or interventions in people with dementia, MCI or physical impairment using 3D skeleton movement data and machine learning," Poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Technology and Dementia Pre-conference Los Angeles, USA, 2019.
  • R. N. Carleton, T. O. Afifi, S. Turner, T. Taillieu, A. Vaughan, G. S. Anderson, et al. (2019, Mental Health Training, Attitudes Towards Support, and Screening Positive for Mental Disorders. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 30. Available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16506073.2019.1575900

2018

  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "Who are the helpers? Managing post-traumatic stress disorder in public service personnel," Platform presentation at the Science, Health, and Research Education (SHARE) Summit, Translational and Personalised Medicine Initiative (TPMI), ed. Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, 2018.
  • R. S. MacPhee and S. Czarnuch, "CIPSRT and Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials Canada: Stronger Together," Platform presentation at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, Montreal, Quebec, 2018.
  • A. Hynes and S. Czarnuch, "Human part segmentation in depth images with annotated part positions," Sensors, vol. 18, p. 15, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, K. Hadden, and H. Cramm, "Toward the Development of a National Technology Platform for the Delivery of Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Public Safety Personnel," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum, Regina, Canada, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. J. Astell, "Improving Movement Confidence and Balance in People with Dementia, MCI and Physical Impairment Using Group Motion-Based Technology," Platform presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Technology and Dementia Pre-conference Chicago, USA, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. J. Astell, "Evaluating the Effect of Group Motion-Based Technology on Movement Confidence and Balance in People with Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Physical Impairment," Poster presentation at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), Chicago, USA, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, E. Dove, and A. J. Astell, "Improving Movement Confidence and Balance in People with Dementia, MCI and Physical Impairment Using Group Motion-Based Technology," Poster presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Technology and Dementia Pre-conference Chicago, USA, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Data management planning: a technical perspective," Invited talk at the Annual Research Forum, Justice Institute of British Columbia, ed. Vancouver, British Columbia, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Together we are stronger: CIPSRT," Keynote at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Conference & Tradeshow, ed. Montreal, Quebec, 2018.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Enhancing communication through technology and innovation," Platform presentation at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) Research Day, ed. Regina, SK, 2018.
  • [A. J. Astell, S. Czarnuch, and E. Dove, "System Development Guidelines from a Review of Motion-Based Technology for People with Dementia or MCI," Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 9, pp. 1-10, 2018.

2017

  • A. Hynes, M. Kirkland, M. Ploughman, and S. Czarnuch, "Comparing the gait analysis of a Kinect system to the Zeno Walkway: Preliminary results," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2017. PDF file icon
  • A. Hynes and S. Czarnuch, "Assessing the gait of people with multiple sclerosis using 3D motion tracking: toward objective outcome measures," Poster presentation at the Americas Committee for Treatment & Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS), Orlando, FL, 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, A. Hynes, and H. Chrichton, "The state of the art of technologies for the assessment of gait in multiple sclerosis: Filling the gap," Poster presentation at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Technical Research in a Clinical Setting," Keynote at the Faculty of Medicine, discipline of Family Medicine Resident's Forum, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Preliminary Statement related to the Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Death of Donald Dunphy," Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Donald Dunphy, St. John's, NL 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Enhancing Quality of Life and Quality of Care: Pervasive Healthcare Technologies," Invited talk at the Neuroscience Journal Club for the Biomedical Sciences Division (Faculty of Medicine) at Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, "The role of technology as an MS endpoint: Old problems with new perspectives," Poster presentation at the Americas Committee for Treatment & Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS), Orlando, FL, 2017.
  • S. Czarnuch, "The medicalization of deviance, disability, aging and technology," Guest lecture at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, department of Sociology at Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2017.

2016

  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch, "Surviving parenthood in academia: Two professionals striving to maintain work life balance," in The parent-track: Timing, balance and choice within academia, E. Berger and C. DeRoche, Eds., ed Waterloo: Wilfred Laurier Press, 2016.
  • A. Hynes and S. Czarnuch, "Building a feature vector for assessing the gait of persons with multiple sclerosis," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2016. PDF file icon
  • A. Hynes and S. Czarnuch, "Combinatorial Optimization for Human Body Tracking," Paper presented at the Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Visual Computing, Las Vegas, NV, 2016.
  • K. Habib and S. Czarnuch, "State of the art of ground plane detection in 3D applications: A systematic review," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2016. PDF file icon
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, and A. Mihailidis, "Predicting the role of assistive technologies in the lives of people with dementia using objective care recipient factors," BMC Geriatrics, vol. 16, pp. 1-11, 2016.
  • S. Czarnuch and M. Ploughman, "Toward inexpensive, autonomous, and unobtrusive exercise therapy support for persons with MS," Poster presentation at the Americas Committee for Treatment & Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS), New Orleans, LA, 2016.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "Development and evaluation of a hand tracker using depth images captured from an overhead perspective," Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, vol. 11, pp. 150-157, 2016.
  • S. Czarnuch, J. Connolly, and C. Maddox, "MS Society of Canada, Avalon Chapter annual newsletter," at the, ed. St. John's, Canada, 2016.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Enhancing rehabilitation in MS with pervasive technology," Invited talk at the Avalon MS Society chapter meeting, ed. St. John's, NL, 2016.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Perspectives on work-life balance: Can it be achieved in academic research?," Invited talk at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/University of Toronto, ed. Toronto, Ontario, 2016.
  • Z. Chen, S. Czarnuch, A. Smith, and M. Shehata, "Performance evaluation of 3D keypoints and descriptors," Paper presented at the Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Visual Computing, Las Vegas, NV, 2016.

2015

  • Z. Yang and S. Czarnuch, "3D Point Cloud based Human Skeleton Identification," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2015.
  • M. Ploughman, S. N. Rancourt, L. P. Kelly, G. Grover, E. M. Wallack, S. Granter-Button, et al., "Assessing peak oxygen consumption in people with multiple sclerosis using total body recumbent stepper and weight supported treadmill," Poster presentation at the Rehabilitation in MS Annual Conference, Milan, Italy, 2015.
  • M. Ploughman, S. N. Rancourt, L. P. Kelly, G. Grover, E. M. Wallack, S. Granter-Button, et al., "Reducing post-exercise decrements in performance in MS: Preliminary Steps," Poster presentation at the Rehabilitation in MS Annual Conference, Milan, Italy, 2015.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, B. Ye, and A. Mihailidis, "Moving toward a user-centred design: Assistive technology for older adults with dementia," Alzheimer Society of Canada, Ottawa, ON,2015.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Intelligent technologies: Supporting persons with MS," Invited talk at the Avalon MS Society chapter meeting, ed. St. John's, NL, 2015.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Pervasive technology for healthcare: Supporting an aging population," Invited talk at the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research, Research Group on Aging, ed. St. John's, NL, 2015.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Biomedical Engineering," Invited talk at the Speaker series lecture, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, ed. St. John's, NL, 2015.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Automated ground plane detection using human motion and environmental geometry," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2015. PDF file icon

2014

  • L. Lin, S. Czarnuch, A. Malhotra, C. Yu, and J. Hoey, "Affectively aligned cognitive assistance using Bayesian affect control theory," Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing & Ambient Intelligence (UCAmI) & 6th International Work-conference on Ambient Assisted Living (IWAAL) Belfast, Ireland, 2014.
  • M. Grzes, J. Hoey, S. Khan, A. Mihailidis, S. Czarnuch, D. Jackson, et al., "Relational approach to knowledge engineering for POMDP-based assistance systems as a translation of a psychological model," Paper presented at the International Journal of Approximate Reasoning, 2014.
  • S. Czarnuch and M. Ploughman, "Automated gait analysis in people with Multiple Sclerosis using two unreferenced depth imaging sensors: Preliminary steps," in Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2014. PDF file icon
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "Development and evaluation of a hand tracker using depth images captured from an overhead perspective," Paper presented at the Newfoundland Electrical and Computer Engineering Conference, IEEE, Newfoundland and Labrador Section, St. John's, NL, 2014.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Enhancing rehabilitation in MS," Invited talk at the Atlantic endMS 2014 MS Research Retreat, ed. Halifax, NS, 2014.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Advancing the COACH automated prompting system toward an unsupervised, real-world deployment," Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2014.

2013

  • R. Wang, P. Viswanathan, S. Czarnuch, J. Boger, G. Nejat, and A. Mihailidis, "Developing advanced assistive technologies for older adults with dementia: Lessons learned," Paper presented at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), Bellevue, WA, 2013.
  • R. Ricciardelli and S. Czarnuch. (2013) Moving into milestones... with multiples. Multiple Moments Quarterly: Multiple Births Canada. 16-18.
  • R. Ricciardelli, A. Bridgman, S. Czarnuch, B. Ye, J. Bell, and A. Mihailidis, "The impact of caregiver socio-demographic factors on assistive technology needs when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • R. Ricciardelli, J. Bell, S. Czarnuch, B. Ye, J. Tong, and A. Mihailidis, "The impact of care recipient factors on their assistive technology needs for daily task completion," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • J. Hill, R. Ricciardelli, S. Czarnuch, and A. Mihailidis, "The relationship between perceptions of assistive technology and the ethical and legal concerns relevant to their acceptance and use," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, J. Bell, B. Ye, and A. Mihailidis, "Financial realities and occupational strain: Designing accessible, needed, and appropriate Intelligent Assistive Technologies for people with dementia," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The COACH: An automated daily task support for older adults with dementia," Platform presentation at the Toronto Rehab’s 9th Annual Research Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "An in-home efficacy study of the COACH prompting system," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch, S. Cohen, V. Parameswaran, and A. Mihailidis, "A real-world deployment of the COACH prompting system," Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments, Thematic Issue on Designing and Deploying Intelligent Environments, vol. 5, pp. 463–478, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch and J. G. Bell, "Toward Developing an Assistive Technology Framework for Older Adults with Dementia: A User-Centred Design Approach," Invited talk at the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, ed. St. Catherines, Ontario, 2013.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Activity tracking from an overhead depth camera: From joint proposals to a skeleton model," Invited talk at the Speaker series lecture, Department of Computer Science, ed. St. John's, NL: Memorial University, 2013.
  • A. Bridgman, S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, and A. Mihailidis, "The association between the expected usefulness of assistive technologies for patients with dementia and caregiver burden, culture, and other socio-demographic factors," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.
  • A. Bridgman, S. Czarnuch, R. Ricciardelli, and A. Mihailidis, "Linking caregiver’s experiences of ‘caregiver burden’ with their perception of the usefulness of Assistive Technologies when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease," Poster presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG): Aging...from Cells to Society, Halifax, NS, 2013.

2012

  • A. Mihailidis and S. Czarnuch, "Innovations in technology to support people with Alzheimer’s disease," Invited talk at the Toronto Memory Program, ed. Toronto, ON, 2012.
  • A. Mihailidis, J. Boger, S. Czarnuch, T. Nagdee, and J. Hoey, "Ambient Assisted Living Technology to Support Older Adults with Dementia with Activities of Daily Living: Key Concepts and the State of the Art," in Handbook of Ambient Assisted Living - Technology for Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Well-being, J. C. Augusto, M. Huch, A. Kameas, J. Maitland, P. McCullagh, J. Roberts, et al., Eds., ed Amsterdam, The Netherlands: IOS Press, 2012, pp. 304 - 330.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The COACH: Assisted Cognition," Platform presentation at the Humboldt Colloquium, Toronto, Canada, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "COACH clinical trials: system module validation," Platform presentation at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Seminar Series, ed. University of Toronto, Toronto CA, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The COACH: A real-world effectiveness study," Platform presentation at the Canadian Student Health Research Forum, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The COACH: A real-world efficacy study," Platform presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), Vancouver, British Columbia, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "A community-based efficacy study of the COACH," Poster at the IBBME Scientific Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Arcelus, "Smart Home Technologies and Artificial Intelligence: Applications to Older Adults," Invited talk at the Artificial Intelligence for the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment (DEEP) program, University of Toronto, ed. Toronto, Ontario, 2012.
  • S. Czarnuch, "The COACH prompting system," Invited talk at the Southlake Regional Health Centre, ed. Newmarket, ON, 2012.

2011

  • A. Mihailidis and S. Czarnuch, "Towards a Pervasive Prompting System: Improving and Expanding the COACH," Platform presentation at the 7th Annual Every Day Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care (ETAC) symposium, Toronto, ON, 2011.
  • A. Hwang, K. Truong, S. Czarnuch, and A. Mihailidis, "Bringing C.O.A.C.H. one step closer to the home: Designing a computer-based tool for dementia caregivers," Platform presentation at the Toronto Rehab’s 7th Annual Research Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2011.
  • M. Grzes, J. Hoey, K. Shehroz, A. Mihailidis, S. Czarnuch, D. Jackson, et al., "Relational Approach to Knowledge Engineering for POMDP-based Assistance Systems with Encoding of a Psychological Model," Platform presentation at the Toronto Rehab’s 7th Annual Research Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2011.
  • M. Grzes, J. Hoey, S. Khan, A. Mihailidis, S. Czarnuch, D. Jackson, et al., "Relational Approach to Knowledge Engineering for POMDP-based Assistance Systems with Encoding of a Psychological Model," Paper presented at the Proceedings of the ICAPS 2011 Workshop on Knowledge Engineering for Planning and Scheduling (KEPS), Freiburg, Germany, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch, A. Mihailidis, and J. Boger, "Determining Technical Design Criteria for the COACH Prompting System," Platform presentation at the Toronto Rehab’s 7th Annual Research Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The COACH prompting system: Determining and understanding the needs of caregivers and older adults with dementia," Platform presentation at the 6th Annual Canadian Conference on Dementia, Montreal, Canada, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch and A. Mihailidis, "The design of intelligent in-home assistive technologies: Assessing the needs of older adults with dementia and their caregivers," Gerontechnology, vol. 10, pp. 165-178, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch, J. Boger, and A. Mihailidis, "Supporting Older Adults with Dementia with Ambient Assistive Living Technology," Poster at the IBBME Scientific Day, ed. Toronto, Ontario, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch, J. Boger, and A. Mihailidis, "COACH@Home: An Ambient Assistive Living Technology for People with Dementia," Platform presentation at the Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology, Toronto, Ontario, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch, J. Boger, and A. Mihailidis, "COACH@Home: Participatory Design of AT for People with Dementia," Platform presentation at the Caregiving Best Practices Day, ed. Toronto, Ontario, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Technology and an aging population," Guest lecture at the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, department of Sociology at York University, ed. North York, ON, 2011.
  • S. Czarnuch. (2011) CARE Trainee Profile. IBBME Annual Report. 16.
  • S. Czarnuch. (2011) Challenges in caring. Multiple Moments. 12.

2010

  • S. Czarnuch, J. Boger, and A. Mihailidis, "Prompting older adults with dementia through tasks with the COACH," Platform presentation at the Toronto Rehab’s 6th Annual Research Day, ed. Toronto, Canada, 2010.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Assistive technology: The future of health and health care?," Guest lecture at the Faculty of Health Sciences, department of Sociology at York University, ed. North York, ON, 2010.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Towards a pervasive prompting system for older adults with dementia: Improving and expanding the COACH," Invited talk at the West Hill Community Services Centre, ed. Toronto, ON, 2010.

2009

  • A. Mihailidis and S. Czarnuch, "Towards a Pervasive Prompting System: Improving and Expanding the COACH," Platform presentation at the 5th Annual Every Day Technologies for Alzheimer’s Care (ETAC) symposium, Portland & Hillsboro, OR., 2009.
  • S. Czarnuch, K. Zagorovsky, P. Tang, N. Wu, and A. Posatskiy, "A Tool For Rudimentary Self-Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy and Related Disorders," Poster at the BME1450 Poster session, ed, 2009.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Introduction to research methodologies," Guest lecture at the Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, ed. Oshawa, ON, 2009.
  • S. Czarnuch, "Exploring interdisciplinary research methodologies," Guest lecture at the Faculty of Arts, department of Sociology at Trent University, ed. Peterborough, ON, 2009.
  • S. Czarnuch. (2009, December 14). Caregiver Questionnaire. Available: www.ot.utoronto.ca/iatsl/documents/COACH_caregiverQuestionnaire.pdf

2005

  • S. Czarnuch, "Interbar Currents in Rotating Stator Induction Machines," M.A.Sc., Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 2005.

Active Projects

Current work

Human motion tracking

Computer vision

Human detection

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Human motion tracking and detection

Computer vision & machine learning

Using "traditional" 2D RGB images toward: Human segmentation, activity detection, movement assessment, clinical gait analysis

Using RGB-D depth sensors toward: Human segmentation, multi-sensor registration, sensor orientation and location detection, ground plane detection, semantic human labelling, trajectory mapping.

Project Lead: Stephen Czarnuch

Students:
Zizui (Bear) Chen
Chengsi (Leo) Zhang
Ali Ebrahimi

Funding: NSERC, Memorial University

911 Communications

Public safety

Mental health

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Public Safety Personnel

Mental health & Wellness

Emergency communications/911: Preparation for next-generation digital 911, including texted image/video pre-processing for hazardous content, text message processing/pre-processing, audio processing/pre-processing

Corrections and criminal justice. Augmented reality/virtual reality training and simulation, 3D human activity modelling and assessment

Project Lead: Stephen Czarnuch

Students:
Nadine Leduc
Rajat Acharya
Vigneshwar Ramaswamy
Tejhaskar Ashokkumar

Funding: Mitacs, APCO Canada, CIHR, Memorial University

Telerheumatology

Telehealth

Rheumatology

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Telerheumatology

Segmentation & Quantization

Current rheumatology wait-times have been noted as reaching as high as two years for an initial assessment in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Significant wait-times can delay diagnosis and treatment for a variety of rheumatologic conditions. Furthermore, the higher prevalence of arthritis/rheumatism in rural areas frequently necessitates patients to travel significant distances at great personal and system expense.

An asynchronous telemedicine platform custom-designed to enhance the rheumatologic examination has the potential to enable rural family doctors to better capture features of the clinical examination and convey this information to the treating rheumatologist. Ultimately this will reduce unnecessary travel and referrals, expedite treatment and optimize specialists’ time. We aim to design and develop a custom interface enabling the on-demand review of single and multiple joints using a novel "360-degree" vision system comprised of traditional and depth-sensing cameras. This system will enable a remote rheumatologist to manipulate the video of the hand to observe the joints, swelling and range of motion from any perspective. We envision that patients will simply place their hand into a custom enclosure, perform several select movements designed to demonstrate joint range of motion, and have the software identify and select optimal clips for remote, asynchronous assessment.

Project Lead: Stephen Czarnuch

Clinical Lead: Andrew Smith

Developers:
Chengsi Zhang
Zizui Chen

Funding: Mitacs

Coming soon

Under

Development

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Coming soon

Under development

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud.

Project Lead: Stephen Czarnuch

Students:
TBD
TBD

Funding: TBD

Coming soon

Under

Development

Hide

Coming soon

Under development

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud.

Project Lead: Stephen Czarnuch

Students:
TBD
TBD

Funding: TBD

Graduate studies

Interested students.

University
Memorial University
Recommended Funding
NSERC
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