Cognitive Science Master’s Student Wins Vector Scholarship in AI
By Ellen Tsaprailis
Carleton University master’s student Theo Pana has been awarded a 2025 Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI).
The Vector Institute awarded scholarships this year to 120 top AI graduate students across Ontario. The $17,500 merit-based scholarship not only helps to fund Pana’s research but provides a community of top AI researchers and teams from Canadian enterprises with which to connect and learn from.
“I was in shock when I first heard as I was not expecting to get the entry VSAI scholarship as it is so competitive,” says Pana. “I am really grateful, honoured and excited.”
Pana, who is just starting his master’s program in Cognitive Science after completing his Bachelor of Cognitive Science with a Concentration in Computation at Carleton, will focus his research on modeling human cognition with AI systems to better understand the mind.
“Before I knew what Cognitive Science was, I was always interested in modeling things,” says Pana. “Taking complicated, noisy, real-world phenomena and representing it with an elegant model, I think that’s really what the mind does…it always seeks the best model to explain what we observe. Now I am interested in modeling that process.
“I am captivated by the use of computational models of cognition, and I want to use the medium of software and AI. I want to contribute to Cognitive Science by filling in unknowns and helping advance our collective understanding of the mind. I am really glad to have found a master’s program and lab (ANIMUS Lab at Carleton) that sympathizes with this mission.”
Creating Mind Model with AI Integration
Pana is hoping that in borrowing theories in Cognitive Science and integrating that research with AI models, we can use AI to better understand the mind.
“I think AI research and our understanding of the mind can go hand in hand,” says Pana. “Research on the mind has consistently inspired innovation in AI research. At the same time, better AI methods mean better computational models.”
There are computational models of cognition that currently exist, but Pana wants to look into integrating deep learning AI methods with classical vector-symbolic approaches. Specifically, Pana plans to model cognitive mechanisms using neural simulators such as Nengo to study higher-level cognitive processes by analogy.
“I’m really interested in learning more about existing computational models and exploring the use of deep learning and AI in combination with cognitive architectures,” says Pana.
Scholarship Provides Valuable Networking Opportunities
Outside of his research, Pana plans to explore Vector-affiliated events as well as the Institute’s mentorship program and looks forward to the benefits as a future alumnus.
“This is a very helpful scholarship because it offers a lot of resources,” says Pana. “I am excited to use these resources to help me through my research.”