Soumaya Cherkaoui is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, where she leads the LINCS Lab.  Prior to joining Polytechnique Montréal, she was a Full Professor at Université de Sherbrooke. Before entering academia, she worked in the aerospace industry as a project manager. Over the course of her career, she has held visiting research positions at several internationally renowned institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, Bell Labs, Monash University, and the University of Toronto, and held an adjunct professorship at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden.

Her research interests include artificial intelligence for networks and communications, AI-native communication networks, quantum computing, quantum artificial intelligence, quantum-assisted communication networks, quantum communications and networks, and cybersecurity. Her research explores the convergence of artificial intelligence, communications, and quantum technologies, with the goal of developing new generations of intelligent, autonomous, and secure networks in which AI and quantum technologies become intrinsic components of network design and operation.

Prof. Cherkaoui has published more than 200 scientific papers in international journals and conference proceedings. Her research has led to technology transfer to industry as well as patented technologies. She has served on numerous national and international scientific committees, boards, and panels and has contributed to shaping research and innovation initiatives. She served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence and was a member of the Mitacs Research Council from 2017 to 2022, becoming an Emeritus Member in 2023.

Prof. Cherkaoui holds several leadership roles within IEEE. She currently serves as Chair of the IEEE Communications Society Women in Communications Engineering (WICE), and is a member of the IEEE Communications Society Conference Operations Board and the GLOBECOM/ICC Technical Content Standing Committee (GITC). She also serves as Chair of the IEEE Canada Conference Advisory Committee. She previously chaired the IEEE Communications Society Internet of Things, Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks Technical Committee, after holding several other leadership roles within the committee.

She has also held major scientific leadership roles in international conferences. She served as Technical Program Co-Chair of IEEE ICC 2025, General Chair of IEEE LCN 2019, and has chaired or co-chaired numerous symposia and technical committees at major IEEE conferences. She also contributes to the international research community through editorial responsibilities with several IEEE and IET journals.

Prof. Cherkaoui’s scientific contributions and research leadership have been recognized through several national and international distinctions. She is the recipient of the 2026 IEEE Canada C.C. Gotlieb Computer Medal, awarded for her contributions to secure and intelligent communication systems, quantum communications, vehicular networking, and trustworthy AI. She also received the ACM Women in Networking and Communications (Mirela Notare) Award in 2023, the IEEE Bio-Inspired Computing STC Leadership Award in 2023, and several Best Paper Awards, including at IEEE ICC, IEEE LCN, and ICCSPA. She was named an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer in 2021 and recognized as one of the N2Women Stars in Computer Networking and Communications in 2023.

Prof. Cherkaoui is a licensed Professional Engineer in Québec, Canada.