Research Interests
In the past I was a software developer (about 8 years experience), mostly doing backend programming for custom web applications, but no more!
I’m currently a third year PhD student in Computing Science at the University of Alberta. I am supervised by Patrick Pilarski as part of the Bionic Limbs for Improved Natural Control (BLINC) Lab and the Reinforcement Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lab (RLAI), led by Rich Sutton. I am also a Vanier scholar.
My MSc research was in the application of Artificial Intelligence, specifically Reinforcement Learning, to prosthetic arms. Current powered prosthetic arms have high degrees of freedom, but the amputee has few signals to use to control the arm. The goal is to make the arm itself intelligent and able to fill in some of the control gaps for the amputee, making control easier and more efficient. My supervisors were Rich Sutton and Patrick Pilarski.
Here’s an arm that we’ve built, called the Bento Arm, using 3D printing and Dynamixel servos. The arm can be mounted to a socket or table mounted. I developed the control software for the arm using the Robot Operating System (ROS).

Beyond Artificial Intelligence I’m probably most interested in Intelligence Amplification, enhancing human intelligence and abilities. I’m very interested in directly integrating electronic devices into the human body.
I like to say that I’m not so interested in creating a super intelligence as I am in becoming one.
Email: sherstan@ualberta.ca
Education:
- MSc Computing Science, University of Alberta (2015)
- BSc Engineering Physics, University of Alberta (2005)
- Computer Engineering Technology, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (2000)
Past work:
- Cogitai intern. I was able to work with a great team of AI professionals developing continual learning systems for robots.
- Marriage Pulse (no longer active). Founded, developed and marketed. Web tool for married couples.
- Spieker Point. Projects and Technology Manager, Senior Software Developer/Architect. Web applications.
- GE Fanuc. Contract development.
- Dr. Frank Hegmann (NSERC grant). Research in terahertz spectroscopy
- Dr. Robert Rankin (NSERC grant). Develop software tools for analysis of aurora.
- Matrikon. Software Developer. PLC, SCADA, DCS driver development.