Dan O Popa

Dan O Popa is a Professor and Endowed Chair of Advanced Manufacturing in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Louisville. His research spans robotics, human-robot interaction, and advanced manufacturing, with a particular focus on applications in healthcare and assistive technologies.

Dr. Popa's educational background includes:

• B.A. in Math, Computer Science & Engineering from Dartmouth College (1993)
• M.S. in Engineering from Dartmouth College (1994)
• Ph.D. in Electrical Computer & Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1998)

Dr. Popa's research interests center around robotics and human-robot interaction, with a strong emphasis on practical applications in healthcare settings. His work explores how robots can assist in medical procedures, support patients with special needs (particularly children with autism spectrum disorder), and enhance manufacturing processes through advanced robotics and additive manufacturing techniques. He has made significant contributions to the development of tactile sensors for robotic skin, brain-computer interfaces, and social robots for therapeutic applications. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, computer science, psychology, and medical professionals to create innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.

Analysis of Dr. Popa's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on explainable AI for robotic systems, particularly in grasp failure prediction and human intent estimation. His work increasingly integrates multimodal sensing with machine learning to enhance human-robot collaboration in both manufacturing and healthcare contexts. There's a clear trajectory toward more personalized and adaptive robotic systems that can better understand human needs and respond appropriately, especially in medical applications like nursing assistance and autism intervention.

Dr. Popa holds an Endowed Chair of Advanced Manufacturing, which represents a significant recognition of his contributions to the field. His research has been supported by various grants, including NSF awards such as "SCH: INT: Adaptive Partnership for the Robotic Treatment of Autism" and "MRI: Development of a Multiscale Additive Manufacturing Instrument with Integrated 3D Printing and Robotic Assembly."

Dr. Popa has collaborated extensively across disciplines, particularly in his work with the NAO humanoid robot for autism intervention, which demonstrates his commitment to applying robotics to improve quality of life. He leads a research group focused on robotic systems, sensors, and human-robot interaction, with projects spanning from fundamental research in microrobotics to applied healthcare robotics.