Welcome. I’m Nick.

About Me

Hey I am Nick Vinden 🙂

I am a undergraduate student, at the University of Guelph, studying computer science with a minor in both math and statistics.

My goal is to play my part in the ever more important field of computer science. To use the powers of the technology for good, and to make real changes in people’s lives.

I want to do this by getting my PHD in computer science. I aim to continue studying the theory and application of AI agents exploring, learning and applying in the challenges of the real world.

My two main focuses in life are learning and communicating. I learn by researching and applying myself to a range of tasks in ML. I’ve had the pleasure to work with robotics, language models, and computer vision. I communicate by putting together workshops, making talks, teaching, and writing.

Thanks for looking at my website, and take care of yourself.

– Nick Vinden

Academic Work
Analysing Siamese Neural Network Architectures for Computing Name Similarity.
Collaborators: Dr. Luiza Antonie, Jeremy Foxcraft Job Title: Undergraduate Researcher …
Reward Augmented Expectations in Decision Making Problems for Long-Horizon Planning
Collaborators: Dr. Animesh Garg, Raeid Saqur Job Title: Undergraduate Research …
Using Machine Learning in Predicting Antibacterial Resistance
Collaborators: Dr. Dan Gillis, Dr. Theresa Bernardo, Matthew Kreitzer, Rashi …
Using Self Supervised Learning for Annotation Reduction in Segmenting Beef Cuts
Collaborators: Dr. Dan Tulpan, Dr. Luiza Antonie Job Title: Undergraduate …
Using Visual Transformers in Sequential Salience Prediction
Collaborators: Dr. Neil Bruce Job Title: USRA Recipient, Undergraduate Researcher …

Notable projects

Presentation and Communication
PREP – 101 Introduction to Python Class
Company: Prep 101 (prep101.com) Job Title: Python instructor and …
Roboethics Guest Speaker Talk
Collaborators: Roboethics Club at University of Guelph University: University …
Overview of Teaching Assistant Jobs
Collaborators: Dr. Lorna Deeth, and Dr. Daniel Kraus Job …
Brain Tank Deep Learning (Full Course)
Collaborators: University of Guelph's Society of Computer and Information …

Education
Bachelor of Computer Science – University of Guelph

2019 – 2024

Minor in Mathematics

Minor in Statistics

Port Credit Secondary School


Certifications
Machine Learning – Stanford Course (Completed)

Teaches mathematical foundations of key cornerstones of AI including, backpropagation, FNN, CNN, and other bedrock concepts to start the process of working with AI. Course info.

Game Theory – Stanford and UBC Course (Completed)

Provides students with hands-on and theoretical foundations for the field of game theory. The course covers representing games and strategies, the extensive form, Bayesian games, repeated and stochastic games, and more. Course info.

Game Theory II: Advanced Applications – Stanford and UBC Course (Current)

This course continues from where game theory I drops off. It covers more advanced applications of the field. Three main topics are covered: social choice theory (i.e., collective decision making and voting systems), mechanism design, and auctions. Course info.

Introduction to Public Speaking – University of Washington Course (Current)

This course has helped me be more confident and clear in my presentations. If focuses on how to structure speeches coherently, write memorably, and present confidently. Course info.


Awards
USRA: Undergraduate Student Research Award

CDN $8,500 research prize awarded, used to student sequential salience with Dr. Neil Bruce.

Dean’s List (First, Second, Third and Fourth Years): University of Guelph

Achieved over honours grade in every year of undergraduate program.