Sheila Russo is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at Boston University. Her research develops biocompatible soft robotic technologies for minimally invasive procedures, focusing on restoring sensor feedback and dexterity in surgical interventions. Education includes a PhD from Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies. Research explores: Miniaturized soft robots for biopsy and tissue manipulation Haptic feedback systems for surgical procedures Smart materials for deployable surgical instruments Optical sensing in endoscopic devices Recent publications (2025-2016) demonstrate innovations in bronchoscopic navigation, soft force sensing, millimeter-scale biopsy robots, and haptic interfaces for surgery. Article trends focus on integrating soft robotics with sensing capabilities for improved minimally invasive interventions. Awards include: NIH Trailblazer Award (2020) Best Poster Presentation, Hamlyn Symposium (2016) Leads research developing soft robotic systems for advanced endoscopic procedures and teaches Medical Robotics and Capstone Experience courses. Affiliations include the Robotics & Autonomous Systems program.
Anirban Mukhopadhyay is a leading researcher in Medical AI at TU Darmstadt, Germany, heading the Medical & Environmental Computing (MEC-Lab). His work focuses on developing AI systems for image-guided diagnosis and surgery. He collaborates with RACOON, a consortium of 38 German hospitals, and hosts the AI-Ready Healthcare podcast. His research spans neural cellular automata (NCA), federated learning, and medical image segmentation. Key projects include: MEC-Lab : Specializes in assistive AI for healthcare, emphasizing bio-inspired algorithms and low-power device applications. RACOON : Combats COVID-19 through AI-driven radiology collaboration among German hospitals. Publications : Over 100 peer-reviewed papers on medical imaging, surgical robotics, and AI ethics, with a focus on NCA-based solutions and federated learning frameworks. Research interests emphasize: Medical image segmentation (e.g., Med-NCA , GAUDA ) Continual learning for evolving medical data AI ethics and human-AI collaboration in clinical settings His work bridges theoretical advances (e.g., NCA) with practical applications in surgery, radiology, and pathology. Recent trends show a focus on edge computing, robustness in AI systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians.
Prof. André R. Studart is a Full Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Materials at ETH Zurich, leading the Complex Materials group. Born in Brazil, he holds a Bachelor's and PhD from the Federal University of São Carlos. His research focuses on bio-inspired materials, advanced ceramics, 3D printing, and sustainable manufacturing. Notable contributions include engineered living materials for carbon sequestration and microbial-based ceramic fabrication. He has received awards from Alcoa Co., Thermo Haake Co., and the Brazilian Ceramic Society. His work spans applications in energy, healthcare, and environmental technologies. Education: Bachelor's in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil PhD in Materials Science, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil Research Interests: Development of smart materials for medical implants and energy systems Integration of microorganisms into materials for self-regulating functionalities Low-temperature ceramic processing via biocementation 3D printing of functional and reprocessable materials Scientific Awards: Alcoa Co. Award Thermo Haake Co. Award Brookfield Co. Award Magnesita Award Brazilian Ceramic Society Award Advising & Grants: Leads the Complex Materials group at ETH Zurich, with over 50 publications and three patents. His research is supported by grants from SNF and industry partnerships. Labs/Teams: Directs the Complex Materials group, focusing on bio-hybrid materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Chiara Daraio is the G. Bradford Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and an Investigator at the Heritage Medical Research Institute. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and degrees from the University of Ancona (Italy). Her research focuses on designing advanced materials with unique mechanical and sensing properties for applications in robotics, medical devices, and energy absorption. She has pioneered work on mechanical metamaterials, sustainable biomaterials, and wearable health-monitoring systems. Education: B.S./M.S., University of Ancona, Italy (2001); M.S., UC San Diego (2003); Ph.D., UC San Diego (2006). Research interests include materials science, condensed matter physics, and solid mechanics. Her group develops materials for acoustic imaging, thermal sensing, and bio-inspired systems. Recent work includes 3D polycatenated architected materials and biocomposite materials from microalgae. Awards: PECASE, Sloan Fellowship, Brilliant 10, ONR Young Investigator Award, and others. Over 150 scientific publications and numerous patents highlight her contributions to metamaterials, nonlinear dynamics, and bio-inspired design. Advising: Supervises a dynamic group of graduate students and postdocs, with alumni in academia and industry worldwide. Active in outreach, including STEM education and public lectures. Labs: Facilities include 3D printing, high-speed imaging, and advanced mechanical testing equipment at Caltech's Gates-Thomas building.
Xin Ning is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on lightweight structural design, biomimetic engineering, and multifunctional materials for aerospace applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics from Caltech, where he developed shape-adaptive solar concentrators under Prof. Sergio Pellegrino. Prior to Penn State, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Illinois (advisor: Prof. John A. Rogers) and Caltech. Education: B.Eng., Aircraft Design & Engineering, Beihang University (2009) M.S., Aeronautics, Caltech (2010) Ph.D., Aeronautics, Caltech (2015) Research Interests: Xin's work integrates origami-inspired mechanics, metamaterials, and smart composites to create ultra-lightweight structures. Key areas include: Bistable composite booms for space deployment Origami electromagnetic systems Self-deployable electronic skins Bio-inspired wing structures Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes multifunctional materials and adaptive systems, with 2023-2025 papers focusing on space-qualified structures, origami-based sensors, and biomimetic designs. Over 70% of his 2020+ publications address structural optimization under extreme conditions. Awards: ONR Young Investigator Award (2022) Haythornthwaite Award (2019) William F. Ballhaus Prize (2015) Multiple Caltech teaching/research awards Advising & Labs: Current students include Yao Yao (materials/aero) and Mitansh Doshi (aero). Former advisees include Samuel Schulman (M.S. 2021). His lab develops deployable space structures and smart composite systems through collaborations with NASA and the Air Force.
Anca-Simona Horvath is a Guest Researcher at Aalborg University's Department of Communication and Psychology, affiliated with The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She leads the Art, Aesthetics & Health Research Laboratory for Art and Technology, focusing on intersections between emerging technologies (AI, bio-technologies) and creative practices. Her work addresses broader cultural contexts through design-based research, spanning scales from footwear to urban planning. Education: PhD in Architecture, with professional experience as an architect and computational designer in Romania and Denmark. Research contributions span architectural humanities, computational design, and digital art, with publications in journals like Frontiers of Architectural Research and International Journal of Architectural Computing . Research interests include AI-driven conceptual architecture, bio-crafting with mycelium, and STEAM education for sustainability. Key projects include Environmental Knowledge in the Digital Anthropocene (EKoDA) and Agency for Resilience (ActRes), addressing climate resilience and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has received awards such as the Teacher of the Year (2019) and Young Researcher Grant (2013). Her recent articles explore AI tool adoption in architecture, generative adversarial networks in form generation, and fungal bio-technologies in design. She actively participates in peer review for journals like Buildings and conferences like CAADRIA, and advises on EU Horizon Europe energy projects. Labs/Teams: Leads the Research Laboratory for Art and Technology , collaborating with initiatives like MASSHINE and Green Societies . Her work intersects environmental humanities, digital art, and sustainable design, contributing to UN SDGs related to climate action and sustainable cities.
Dr. Mokarram Hossain is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Swansea University, affiliated with the School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on soft polymeric and functional materials, including responsive gels, self-healing materials, and their applications in renewable energy and biomechanics. He has secured grants for energy harvesting projects and collaborates extensively on magneto-active polymers and 3D printing of soft materials. Research interests span experimental mechanics, computational modeling, and material characterization. Key areas include hydrogel dynamics, magneto-mechanical coupling, and bio-inspired soft robotics. His work integrates numerical methods (e.g., finite element analysis) with material science, addressing challenges in low-carbon energy systems and smart materials. Notable contributions include studies on hydrodynamic complexity in polymers, magneto-rheological elastomers, and thermal-viscoelastic behavior of materials. Collaborations span academia and industry, emphasizing renewable energy applications and sustainable manufacturing. His publications highlight innovations in composite materials and advanced computational frameworks for coupled electromechanical systems.
Hongshuang Guo is an Academy Postdoctoral Researcher at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, specializing in Materials Science and Environmental Engineering. She is affiliated with the Engineering Materials Science (EMS) research group. Her work focuses on designing and fabricating stimuli-responsive materials, particularly liquid crystal elastomers (LCE), for applications in soft robotics, anti-fouling coatings, and environmental technologies. She emphasizes the relationship between molecular structure and material performance, aiming to develop novel materials with enhanced functionalities. Research Expertise: Chemical synthesis, coating preparation, functional LCE materials, and smart material design. Her mission is to create 'smart' materials that bridge gaps in existing research fields. Key Projects: Includes studies on self-healing elastomers, anti-icing coatings, and bio-inspired hierarchical materials for fog harvesting. Her publications span topics like optically controlled actuators, supramolecular networks, and sustainable materials derived from spent lithium batteries. Awards & Recognition: None explicitly listed in provided texts. However, her contributions to soft robotics and environmental materials suggest potential for future accolades. Labs & Teams: Works in the chem-opti-material science laboratory at Tampere University, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects involving mechanics, chemistry, and environmental engineering.
Matthew T. Flavin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, leading the Flavin Neuromachines Lab. He holds a B.S. from UIUC (2015), M.S. and Ph.D. from MIT (2017, 2021), and conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University. His research focuses on neural mechatronics, wearable bioelectronics, and extended reality for healthcare applications, emphasizing haptic interfaces, bio-integrated devices, and patient care solutions. Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015 M.S. Electrical Engineering, MIT, 2017 Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, MIT, 2021 Research interests include haptics, neuroengineering, flexible electronics, and therapeutic biomedical applications. Key achievements include developing wearable sensors for molecular flux monitoring and haptic devices for sensory substitution. He has received NIH and Draper Laboratory awards. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of engineering and biosciences. Grants and advising: Actively recruiting PhD students and postdocs. Lab locations in Van Leer Building and Bunger-Henry.
Ketao Zhang is a Senior Lecturer in Robotics at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, and serves as the Industrial Engagement Lead of the Centre for Intelligent Transport. He is also affiliated with the Centre for Advanced Robotics, where he leads research in aerial robotics, soft robotics, and bio-inspired design. Senior Lecturer in Robotics, Queen Mary University of London Industrial Engagement Lead, Centre for Intelligent Transport Research Affiliation: Centre for Advanced Robotics Research Group: Robotic Systems Dr. Zhang's research focuses on advanced robotic systems, particularly in the domains of aerial robotics, soft robotics, kinematics, and reconfigurable mechanisms. His work integrates origami-inspired design, bio-inspired locomotion, and additive manufacturing to develop innovative robotic solutions. Key interests include screw theory, reconfigurable parallel manipulators, soft actuators and sensors, and morphable soft-bodied robots. His research themes are highly interdisciplinary, bridging mechanical engineering, materials science, and autonomous systems. The recent publications of Dr. Zhang span high-impact journals and conferences, with a clear trend toward aerial additive manufacturing, soft-actuated systems, and reconfigurable UAVs. His work often involves multi-robot coordination, bio-inspired design, and novel actuation mechanisms. Themes such as electroadhesion, variable stiffness, and 3D printing with drones are recurrent, indicating a strong focus on autonomy, adaptability, and real-world deployment. ERC SyG 2023: Multi-sensor Eversion Robot for Intelligent Endoscopic Microsurgery NERC: EMPreSS – Methane Monitoring with UAVs Innovate UK: Human-Augmented Robotics for Precision Viticulture Royal Society: Electroadhesion for Perching UAVs Royal Society: Bio-inspired Quadruped Locomotion EPSRC: Core Equipment for Robotics Research Dr. Zhang has secured substantial research funding from major UK and EU agencies, supporting interdisciplinary projects with applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and agriculture. He collaborates extensively with researchers such as Kaspar Althoefer, Lei Su, and Mohamed Thaha. While student advising details are not publicly listed, his active grants and publications suggest mentorship of PhD and postdoctoral researchers. His lab focuses on intelligent transport systems, aerial robotics, and soft robotic platforms, contributing to both fundamental mechanism design and applied autonomous systems.
Pinar Zorlutuna is the Roth-Gibson Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the Bioengineering Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame, within the College of Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She leads a dynamic research lab focused on bio-inspired systems for disease modeling and regenerative medicine. Research Interests: Her work centers on tissue engineering, genetic engineering, and micro/nanotechnology to create biomimetic models of human tissues. Key areas include aging, cancer (particularly breast), and cardiovascular disease. Her lab investigates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, with emphasis on extracellular vesicles, the cardiac microenvironment, and 3D bioprinting. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward modeling age-related disease progression, especially in cardiac and breast tissue. Many studies explore how aging alters the extracellular matrix and vesicle cargo, influencing disease outcomes and drug responses. Another major theme is bio-inspired computing, with research on cardiac muscle cell-based networks for biocomputing and memory systems. Elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow Roth-Gibson Professor of Bioengineering Member, NIH CSR Cellular and Molecular Technologies Study Section NSF CAREER Award NSF EFRI BEGIN Award Dr. Zorlutuna advises graduate students and leads major federally funded grants focused on aging heart models and cardiac biocomputing. Her lab, the Zorlutuna Lab, develops innovative tools such as 3D bioprinted tissue models, microfluidic devices, and bio-oscillatory networks. Future work includes advancing real-time diagnostic platforms, personalized tissue models, and implantable biocomputational systems.
Dr. Steven Grainger is Director of Learning & Teaching in the School of Mechanical Engineering and Program Coordinator for Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide. With industry experience prior to academia, he joined the university in 2007 following a 10-year lecturing position at Glasgow Caledonian University. His international academic engagements include visiting lectureships in Oman, Russia, Germany, and Australia. His research focuses on: Nanopositioning systems and piezoelectric actuator modeling Autonomous robotics with emphasis on underwater vehicles Bio-inspired systems and constructive neural networks Multi-robot coordination strategies Publication analysis reveals strong emphasis on mechatronic systems (45%), bio-inspired algorithms (30%), and mechanical fault diagnosis (25%). Recent works demonstrate increasing focus on biologically-inspired robotics and multi-agent systems. Research collaborations span nine institutions across Australia, UK, and Sweden including the Australian Maritime College and Lund University. As Program Coordinator, he oversees mechatronics curriculum development and supervises postgraduate research. Laboratory activities integrate computational modeling with hardware implementation for autonomous platforms.
Dr. Arif Malik is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) since 2015 and Director of the Center for Computational Research and Advanced Manufacturing (CRAM). He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Wright State University (2007) and has extensive industry experience, including roles in process engineering and co-founding a manufacturing software startup. His research focuses on computational mechanics for advanced manufacturing, uncertainty analysis, and reliability-based design optimization, with notable contributions in laser shock peening, additive manufacturing, and fluid-structure interaction. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Wright State University (2007) MS in Electrical Engineering, Wright State University (2001) BS in Mechanical Engineering, Wright State University (1994) Research Interests: Computational modeling for advanced manufacturing processes Residual stress analysis and laser-based surface engineering Uncertainty quantification in manufacturing systems Fluid-structure interaction in micro-air-vehicle wing design Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2015) Best Organizer of ASME Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conferences (2013, 2015) Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship (2010–2015) Labs/Teams: Director of CRAM, which focuses on computational modeling and experimental validation for advanced manufacturing, laser processing, and bio-inspired fluid-structure interaction. Engages undergraduate and graduate researchers in projects like Engineering Brighter Futures for Autism, combining 3D printing with community outreach.
Simon X. Yang is a Professor and Head of the Advanced Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory at the University of Guelph, School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Alberta and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. His expertise spans robotics, intelligent systems, control systems, sensors, and bio-inspired intelligence. Dr. Yang has authored numerous publications and serves as Editor-in-Chief/Associate Editor for international journals, as well as a grant panel member for NSERC and CIHR. Prof. Yang’s research focuses on real-time sensing, robotic teleoperation, neural networks, fuzzy systems, and applications in agriculture, transportation, and environmental monitoring. He has pioneered bio-inspired algorithms for path planning, multi-robot systems, and industrial automation. His work includes innovations in underwater robotics, drone coordination, and smart agriculture technologies. Dr. Yang teaches graduate-level courses on advanced control systems, soft computing, and robotics, as well as undergraduate courses in neuro-fuzzy systems and engineering design. He actively participates in organizing international conferences and has developed the PIGRGB-Weight dataset for livestock monitoring. Professional Highlights: Editor-in-Chief roles, NSERC grant panel, and leadership in robotics research Labs: Advanced Robotics and Intelligent Systems Lab Awards: Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering His lab’s innovations include a biomimetic gecko-inspired robot for microgravity environments and a bionic ray robot with high motion performance. Current projects address challenges in smart farming, infrastructure health monitoring, and autonomous systems safety.
Sarah Dalesman is a Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University, where she also serves as the Scheme Coordinator for the Marine and Freshwater Biology degree and Student Experience Lead. She holds a PhD in behavioural ecology from the University of Plymouth and has held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Calgary and the University of Exeter, funded by Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions and the Leverhulme Trust, respectively. PhD, University of Plymouth – Behavioural ecology of pond snails Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Calgary – Neurobiology of stress and memory Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship, University of Exeter Dr. Dalesman’s research focuses on animal cognition, particularly in invertebrates such as pond snails ( Lymnaea stagnalis ), where she investigates individual differences in cognition, memory formation, and the effects of environmental stressors. She also explores sentience in gastropods and extends her work to canine cognition, driven by her interest in dog training and behaviour. Her interdisciplinary research bridges neuroethology, ecology, and conservation, with implications for understanding cognitive evolution and environmental impacts on learning. Her recent publications highlight trends in cognitive ecology, microbiome-brain interactions, and bio-inspired robotics, showing a strong integration of molecular, behavioural, and ecological approaches. She has led externally funded projects on cognitive complexity in gastropods and memory formation under environmental change. Scientific Awards and Recognition Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellowship from Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions Dr. Dalesman has supervised research students and is open to MRes and PhD candidates in animal cognition and behaviour. She has served on the editorial boards of Animal Behaviour and Animal journals. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land, clean water, and responsible consumption. She is actively involved in public engagement, with her research featured in major media outlets, blogs, and social platforms. She is a member of the Athena Swan committee at Aberystwyth University, promoting gender equality in STEM.
