Kaitlyn Becker

Kaitlyn Becker is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, leading the Fabrication-Integrated Design Lab (FIDL). Her work bridges mechanism design and manufacturing innovation, inspired by biological systems, to develop tools for extreme environments such as the deep sea.

Education:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2009)
• Ph.D. in Microrobotics, Harvard University
• Postdoctoral Research, Soft Math Lab, Harvard University

Research Interests: Professor Becker's research lies at the intersection of design and manufacturing, with a focus on soft robotics for deep-sea biological sampling and transformable structures. She develops methods for creating tools that handle delicate specimens in challenging conditions, drawing from both traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Advising: She will recruit one graduate student in Fall 2025; prospective students should apply via MIT MechE by December. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to propose grant-funded projects.

Laboratory: The Fabrication-Integrated Design Lab (FIDL) is dedicated to pioneering design and fabrication methodologies.