The Software Technologies Applied Research (STAR) Lab, housed within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, is a dynamic hub for applied software engineering innovation. Our mission is to pioneer advanced methodologies and tools that enable the development of high-quality, cost-effective software systems, driving impactful solutions for real-world challenges.
Automated software development plays a pivotal role in boosting programmer productivity, enhancing product quality, reducing maintenance costs, and improving application performance. At the STAR Lab, our research focuses on developing practical, domain-specific, component-based design methodologies to enable the synthesis of large-scale applications.
Our research activities are rooted in two complementary themes:
- A scientific approach to understanding complex software systems.
- An engineering focus on controlling, modifying, and designing these systems.
We explore a wide range of topics, including:
- Program Understanding: Gaining deep insights into software behavior and functionality.
- Reverse Engineering: Decoding and analyzing existing systems to facilitate innovation.
- Feature-Oriented Software Design: Designing systems around specific, customizable functionalities.
- Extensible Software Systems: Crafting adaptable software that evolves to meet diverse application needs.
- Adaptive Software Systems: Developing software that self-reconfigures to optimize performance dynamically.
- Software Architectures: Constructing component-based applications.
- Object-Oriented Design Patterns: Applying proven design strategies to build robust, reusable software solutions.
Through this comprehensive approach, the STAR Lab pushes the boundaries of software engineering, creating transformative solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.
News
Electrical and computer engineering professor, Ladan Tahvildari, elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering
Today, fifty-four new Fellows were elected to the Canadian Academy of Engineering - one of those new Fellows is University of Waterloo electrical and computer engineering professor, Ladan Tahvildari.
Professor Tahvildari is a global expert in software quality addressing challenging problems related to the architecture, security, and testing of dependable systems. She pioneers techniques and tools that aid with the construction, analysis, and maintenance of large-scale software systems, leading the way to outsmarting cybersecurity threats. By creating strategic linkages between academia and industry, she is cultivating and strengthening Canada’s talent in the field. Elected twice, for two consecutive terms, Tahvildari is the first woman and second Canadian, to serve as Chair of the IEEE CS Technical Community on Software Engineering – the world's largest professional organization devoted to computer science.
Electrical and computer engineering professor, Ladan Tahvildari elected for second term as Chair of the IEEE Computer Society Technical Community on Software Engineering (TCSE)
Congratulations to electrical and computer engineering professor Ladan Tahvildari, who was recently elected Chair for a second two-year term of the IEEE Computer Society TCSE. She is the first woman, and only the second member from Canada, to chair the organization after holding numerous positions within the IEEE.
ECE professor, Ladan Tahvildari, and research team win 2021 Video of the Year by IBM Canada
Congratulations to electrical and computer engineering professor, Ladan Tahvildari, and her research team!