Xavier Fernando
Toronto
Position: Professor
Organization: Toronto Metropolitan University
Xavier Fernando is a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada. He has (co) authored ~300 publications including three books, and three patents. He is the Director of the TMU Intelligent Computing and Communication Lab that has received total research funding of over $3.5 Million since 2008. His area of research is wireless/optical communications, vehicular networks and IoT. He was an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer and delivered over 100 invited talks worldwide. He was an Associate Editor for the IEEE IOT Journal. He has chaired the IEEE Toronto Section (2012-13) and IEEE Canada Central Area (2016-17) serving the IEEE Region-7 Board. He has edited 17 IEEE and Springer conference proceedings. He was a Fulbright Canada Research Chair in 2025. His work has won 30 awards and prizes so far including a number of IEEE awards, Professional Engineers Ontario Award in 2016, IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Prize in 2010, Sarnoff Symposium Prize in 2009, Opto-Canada best poster prize in 2003 and CCECE best paper prize in 2001. TMU nominated him for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award in which was a finalist. He has been in the organizing/steering/technical program committees of numerous conferences and journals. He was the General Chair for the IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC) 2017 and IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE) 2014 and 2017. He was a Member of Board of Governors of Ryerson University during 2011-12. He is a program evaluator for ABET (USA). He was a visiting scholar at the Institute of Advanced Telecommunications (IAT), UK in 2008 and MAPNET Fellow visiting Aston University, UK in 2014. He completed his PhD at the University of Calgary, Canada in 200, master’s at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok in 1994 and bachelor’s at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1992. He worked as an R&D Engineer for AT&T during 1994-97.
Areas of Expertise:
Language(s):
My Work
What I do:
I teach and research in information and communication technology (ICT) fields, focusing on cutting-edge topics like ICT for connected, autonomous electric vehicles and its role in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals across various areas. My recent book, “Visible Light Communications for Vehicular Networks” (2nd edition), has been a successful seller. I’m also interested in tracking and localization algorithms, as well as IoT.
Ask me about:
Feel free to ask me about wireless and optical communications, 5G and 6G networks, signal processing, the Internet of Things, and machine learning concepts. I also have a solid background in smart grids, renewable energy, energy harvesting, smart homes, and other topics related to energy sustainability.
Why me:
My core strength lies in delivering research talks, which has led to numerous international invitations and collaborations. Some prominent venues for my seminars include Cambridge University (UK), MIT, Princeton, and Central Florida University (USA), along with several locations in Canada and India. I excel at understanding my audience and connecting with them, breaking down technical concepts into simpler terms without excessive jargon. I believe my ability to communicate clearly has played a significant role in advancing my career.
Fun facts:
I’m just 5’4″ tall, I have a quirky accent, and I enjoy volleyball, traveling, and exploring nature.
About Me
Sector: Academia (Post Secondary)
English proficiency: Read, Write, Speak
Title: Dr.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gender: Male
Demographic: South Asian

