News

Dr. Ladan Tahvildari, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, has once again been named an IBM Champion, earning the distinction for 2026. This recognition highlights her continued leadership and contributions to the global IBM technology community, building on her selection as an IBM Champion in 2025.

The IBM Champion designation is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional advocacy, technical expertise, and meaningful engagement within IBM’s technology ecosystem. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to advancing innovation, sharing knowledge, and supporting the broader technology community through research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

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.