Mila · McGill · Google Paradigms of Intelligence

Aidan
Sirbu

PhD Student @ Mila + McGill University | Paradigms of Intelligence Team @ Google

My research interests lie at the intersection of deep learning, computational neuroscience, and robotics. In one vein, I train embodied agents to investigate theories of motor control and sensorimotor learning. In another, I focus on looped iterative reasoning and self-organizing computation.

Montréal, Canada GitHub Google Scholar X Bluesky LinkedIn ORCID

Research

arXiv 2026

Spying on parahydrogen-induced polarization transfer using a half-tesla benchtop MRI and hyperpolarized imaging enabled by automation

All research →

About

I am a PhD student at Mila – Quebec AI Institute and McGill University, supervised by Dr. Blake A. Richards, and a student researcher on the Paradigms of Intelligence team at Google.

Both halves of my work come down to the same question: what does a system actually have to compute in order to act well? On the embodied side, I build simulated animals faithful enough that theories of motor control can be validated against measured behaviour. On the other, I study models that solve problems by repetition, where one shared update run to arbitrary depth does the work usually handed to search or to scale.

Before I joined Mila, I completed my BSc in Medical Physics at Western University where I worked on projects exploring hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging.

In my free time, I am an avid rock climber, hiker, and motorcycle rider.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you are interested in collaborating, discussing research, or even just chatting!

Awards

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship-Master's, NSERC (2026-2027)
Excellence Scholarship, UNIQUE Neuro-AI Institute (2026-2027)
Graduate Excellence Scholarship, McGill University (2026)
Master's Research Scholarship, FRQNT, (2025-2026)
J.B. Bancroft Science Prize and Medal, Western University, (2023)
Western Gold Medal Honours Specialization in Medical Physics, Western University, (2023)
Gonfalon Bearer for the Faculty of Science's Graduating Class, Western University, (2023)
Undergraduate Student Research Award, NSERC, (2023)
S.R. Valluri Scholarship in Mathematical or Theoretical Physics, Western University, (2022)
Rise-Globalink Research Award, Mitacs & DAAD, (2022)
Mary Ann Underwood Small Global Opportunities Award, Western University, (2022)
International Learning Award, Western University, (2022)
In-Course Scholarships Years III & IV, Western University, (2021-2022)
Undergraduate Student Research Award, NSERC, (2021)
John Gordon McIntosh Scholarship for Second Year Physics, Western University, (2021)
Dean's Honour List for four consecutive years, Western University, (2019-2023)
The Western Scholarship of Excellence, Western University, (2019)

News

Sep 2026
I have fast-tracked into the PhD program in Computer Science at McGill University 🎉
Jun 2026
I joined the Paradigms of Intelligence team at Google as a student researcher.
Dec 2025
I had a great time volunteering as part of the Mila delegation at NeurIPS 2025 in San Diego! 🤖✨
Nov 2025
Our preprint on MIMIC-MJX: Neuromechanical Emulation of Animal Behavior has been released on arXiv 🎉
Nov 2025
I had the pleasure of presenting my research, "Embodied Agents for NeuroAI", at the ARNI annual retreat at Columbia University