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Raphael Zufferey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he leads the MIT AURA (Aerial-Aquatic bio-inspired robots) laboratory since January 2025. His research focuses on developing bio-inspired robotic systems capable of seamless transitions between aerial and aquatic environments for environmental monitoring applications. Education: 2013 - EPFL BSc 2015 - EPFL MSc 2020 - Imperial College London PhD Zufferey's research interests center around autonomous robotics with emphasis on bio-inspired hybrid designs that enable seamless transitions between aerial and aquatic environments. His work bridges mechanical engineering, robotics, and ocean sciences to develop novel propulsion methods and control systems for environmental monitoring applications. He specializes in creating miniature robots that can operate in challenging aquatic environments while maintaining energy efficiency through innovative locomotion strategies. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on solving the fundamental challenges of aerial-aquatic transition in robotics, with particular emphasis on bio-inspired designs that mimic natural organisms. The research spans multiple disciplines including fluid dynamics, control theory, and materials science to create functional hybrid robotic systems. Scientific Awards: 2022 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowship 2020 Best PhD in Robotics UK 2019 Best Paper Award, AMAM conference, Lausanne Switzerland 2018 Best Conference Paper Nominee, ICRA conference, Brisbane Zufferey actively mentors students and postdocs in his AURA lab, with current members including graduate students, postdocs, and UROPs working on various aspects of aerial-aquatic robotics. He serves in editorial roles for prominent robotics publications and organizes workshops at major conferences, demonstrating his growing influence in the robotics community. His lab has secured funding for innovative projects including the REaCT workshop at ICRA 2025 focused on Robotics for Environmental and Climate Assessment. The MIT AURA lab, established in January 2025, has quickly grown to include multiple researchers working on cutting-edge projects such as flapping-wing perching mechanisms, aquatic jump-gliders using water-reactive fuels, and sailing-flying hybrid robots for extended mission durations. The lab collaborates with institutions like Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and maintains strong connections with researchers at EPFL.

• Autonomous robotics
• Bio-inspired hybrid design
• Monitoring of aquatic environments
• +2 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Thielecke is a full Professor and the head of the Institute of Aircraft Systems Engineering (Flugzeug-Systemtechnik) at Technische Universität Hamburg (TUHH), Germany. His research is centered on advanced aircraft systems, avionics, flight control, and the integration of emerging technologies such as hydrogen and hybrid-electric propulsion. Institution: Technische Universität Hamburg Department: Institute of Aircraft Systems Engineering (Flugzeug-Systemtechnik) Email: frank.thielecke@tuhh.de Office: Neßpriel 5, Room 1.012, 21129 Hamburg His research interests include integrated modular avionics (IMA), model-based systems engineering (MBSE), aircraft load estimation, health monitoring, fault diagnosis, and sustainable aviation technologies. He leads a research group actively contributing to next-generation aircraft design, with a strong focus on digitalization, virtual testing, and system safety. The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in developing model-based tools and architectures for avionics and aircraft systems. Key themes include the design of IMA platforms, virtual integration, system validation, hydrogen aircraft systems, and control algorithms for UAVs and flexible aircraft. His work frequently appears in AIAA, DASC, DLRK, and CEAS conferences and journals. Prof. Thielecke has been involved in numerous collaborative research projects focusing on more-electric aircraft, fuel cell systems, and advanced actuation. He has contributed to the development of frameworks such as ASHLEY and SArA for avionics platform design and systems architecting. His team also works on noise reduction in hydraulic systems and condition monitoring for aircraft subsystems. He supervises a group of researchers and PhD students, many of whom co-author his publications. While specific student names are not listed, long-term collaborators like Oliver Luderer, Thimo Bielsky, Nils Külper, and Philipp Chrysalidis are likely doctoral candidates or postdoctoral researchers in his group. He has secured funding for projects related to hydrogen aircraft, hybrid propulsion, and digital avionics engineering. His lab, the Institute of Aircraft Systems Engineering, operates test benches for avionics, hydraulic systems, and flight control validation. The team uses advanced simulation, co-simulation (e.g., FMI), and hardware-in-the-loop techniques for virtual integration and testing. Ongoing work includes the development of tools for early validation of flight control platforms and automated requirement-based testing.

• Aircraft Systems Engineering
• Avionics
• Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)
• +12 more

Dr. P.M. Mohite is a Professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur , with a career spanning over two decades in composite materials research. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur (2007) and has been a Visiting Assistant Professor (2008-2009) and later Assistant , Associate , and Professor (2019-present) at IIT Kanpur. Research Interests include: Advanced composite structures analysis Micromechanics and damage modeling Finite element adaptive methods Metal plasticity and polymer composites Aerostructural optimization Key Publications focus on damage mechanics, structural optimization, and micromechanical characterization, with recent works on evolutionary algorithm-based composite design and boundary layer effects in laminates. Scientific Awards received: Best Student Award (B.E. Mechanical, 1998) AIAA Students Paper Contest Finalist (2006) Teaching Contributions include core courses like Composite Materials and Finite Element Methods , alongside advanced postgraduate topics in aerospace structural analysis. Advising has impacted 30+ M.Tech/Ph.D. students, including international collaborations with Université de Biskra (Algeria) and Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France).

• Composite Structures Analysis
• Micromechanics of Materials
• Finite Element Analysis
• +6 more

Michael Shelley is the Lilian and George Lyttle Professor of Applied Mathematics at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He holds additional roles as Professor of Mathematics, Neural Science, and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, active matter, and biophysical systems, with notable contributions to microswimmer dynamics, cytoplasmic flows, and fluid-structure interactions. Shelley leads the Applied Mathematics Laboratory at Courant and directs the Center for Computational Biology at the Flatiron Institute. His work bridges theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to understand complex biological and physical phenomena. Research interests include nonlinear dynamics of fluids, collective behavior in active matter systems, and biomechanical processes such as mitosis and cellular transport. Recent studies involve modeling microtubule networks, cytoplasmic stirring, and spindle positioning in cells. His publications span topics like fluid-structure interactions, viscoelastic flows, and the mechanics of swimming organisms. Key projects include the dynamics of erodible bodies in fluid flows, optimization of microswimmer designs, and the rheology of active suspensions. Shelley collaborates across disciplines, integrating applied mathematics with biology, physics, and engineering. His work has advanced understanding of self-organization in living systems and fluid-driven morphological changes.

• Fluid Dynamics
• Active Matter
• Biophysics
• +3 more

Simon Sponberg is the Dunn Family Associate Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, holding joint appointments in the School of Physics and School of Biological Sciences within the College of Sciences. He directs the Agile Systems Lab and serves as Physics & Biological Sciences Director. His research bridges physics, biology, and engineering to understand the principles of animal locomotion. Dr. Sponberg received his Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from UC, Berkeley and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Washington. His academic journey began with undergraduate studies at Lewis & Clark College, where he first explored biomechanics research focusing on gecko adhesion. Dr. Sponberg's research centers on neuromechanics - an integrative science examining how physics and physiology enable animals to achieve remarkable stability and maneuverability. His work specifically investigates insect flight mechanics, particularly in hawkmoths (Manduca sexta), exploring how nervous systems interact with muscle mechanics to produce locomotion. Key research areas include: Mechanisms of Maneuverability: How animals maintain stable flight during perturbations Sensing in Complex Environments: Multisensory integration of vision and mechanosensation Multiscale Physics of Muscle: How muscle structure relates to function across scales Evolution of Flight: Comparative studies of different insect flight strategies His publication record reveals a strong focus on the intersection of biomechanics, neuroscience, and physics, with recent work emphasizing resonant mechanics in insect flight, precise neural control of movement, and multisensory integration for robust performance across varying environmental conditions. A notable trend is the integration of experimental biology with computational modeling and robotics to extract general principles of movement. Dr. Sponberg's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships: Hertz Fellow (since 2002) National Science Foundation Fellowships American Physical Society Awards Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Awards Woods Hole Marine Biological Institute Fellowships University of California Fellowships International Association of Physics Students Awards As an advisor, Dr. Sponberg mentors a diverse team of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers through the Quantitative Biosciences Graduate Program, Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Graduate Program, and Bioengineering Graduate Program. His lab has received significant funding, including an NSF-funded Biological Integration Institute (the Integrative Movement Sciences Institute) and a FLAP MURI grant. His mentoring philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on research experience, with over 120 undergraduate students having participated in his lab through Georgia Tech's Vertically Integrated Projects program. The Agile Systems Lab, housed in the Howey Physics Building at Georgia Tech, brings together researchers from physics, biology, engineering, and neuroscience to study the fundamental principles of movement. The lab features state-of-the-art equipment for high-speed videography, electrophysiology, robotic flower tracking systems, and X-ray diffraction studies of living muscle. Current collaborative projects include the NSF-funded Integrative Movement Sciences Institute, which explores movement across scales from molecules to organisms, and the FLAP MURI grant investigating resonant mechanics in flapping flight.

• Neuromechanics
• Biomechanics
• Insect Flight
• +4 more

Danesh Tafti is the William S. Cross Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a PhD from Pennsylvania State University (1989) and has held roles at institutions including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and West Virginia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and heat transfer, with applications in gas turbines, biomedical systems, and renewable energy. Key research areas include turbulence modeling, fluid-structure interaction, and biofluid mechanics, leveraging high-performance computing. His work spans aerodynamics of flapping flight, cardiovascular flows, and particle-laden flows. Tafti leads the High Performance Computational Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering Lab, developing tools like GenIDLEST software for complex fluid-thermal systems analysis. Education: PhD (Penn State, 1989), MS (Texas Tech, 1983), BE (Bombay University, 1980) Awards: ASME Fellow (2014), Virginia Tech Dean’s Research Award (2012) Labs: High Performance Computational Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering Lab Publications emphasize CFD advancements, machine learning integration, and multiphase flow modeling. Tafti’s work bridges computational methods with real-world applications in energy systems, aerospace, and biomedicine.

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Heat Transfer
• +7 more

Dr. David Angland is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Group. His research focuses on aeroacoustics, fluid mechanics, and aerospace engineering, particularly in noise reduction technologies for aircraft systems, turbulence modeling, and computational fluid dynamics. He has contributed to projects funded by Airbus, the European Union, and EPSRC, addressing challenges such as landing gear noise and rotor broadband noise prediction. His research interests include aeroacoustic modeling, bluff body noise control, and fluid-structure interactions. Notable contributions include studies on porous mesh applications, velvety serrations for trailing-edge noise reduction, and plasma actuators for flow control. He has advised four PhD students and holds external roles such as consultancy for Airbus Group and invited lectures at leading institutions. Dr. Angland's work spans academic collaboration with industry partners, including contributions to the Airbus Noise Technology Centre and the H2020-funded INVENTOR and ARTEM projects. His research has advanced understanding of noise generation mechanisms in aircraft systems and turbulence effects on acoustic performance.

• Aeroacoustics
• Aerospace Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• +3 more

Matteo Pezzulla is an Associate Professor at Aarhus University within the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering Mechanics and Materials. His research focuses on fluid-structure interactions, soft hydraulics, and elastic instabilities, with applications in biomechanics and solid mechanics. Areas of expertise: Soft hydraulics, Fluid-structure interactions, Elastic instabilities, Biomechanics, Solid mechanics Teaching: Theory of Elasticity (BSc), Slender Structures (MSc) Memberships: American Physical Society (APS), Education Committee at AU Projects: The Architecture of Photosynthesis (2023–2026), Smart Fluidic Channels (2023–2025) His work bridges analytical, numerical, and experimental methods to study shell mechanics and biological systems. Publications highlight fluid-induced buckling, magneto-elastic materials, and biomimetic designs. Contact: matt@mpe.au.dk | +45 20 69 75 22

• Fluid-Structure Interactions
• Soft Hydraulics
• Elastic Instabilities
• +3 more

Mark H Lowenberg is Professor of Flight Dynamics at the University of Bristol's School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, where he heads the Dynamics and Control Research Group. He holds an M.Sc.(Eng.) from Witwatersrand and a PhD from Bristol, with an ORCID ID 0000-0002-1373-8237 . His research focuses on nonlinear flight dynamics , pioneering bifurcation analysis applications in UK flight dynamics through collaborations with DERA, Airbus, and NASA Langley. Key areas include: Wind tunnel experimentation for nonlinear/unsteady aerodynamics Aircraft ground manoeuvres and landing gear shimmy analysis Rotor stability with AgustaWestland Helicopters Development of a 5DOF 'manoeuvre rig' for upset behavior simulation Recent publications emphasize deep-stall phenomena, nonlinear beam dynamics, and aeroelastic modeling of flexible wings, reflecting trends toward computational-experimental integration for aircraft safety and performance. Awarded the 2024 Royal Aeronautical Society Young Persons’ Written Paper Prize, his honors underscore contributions to aerospace innovation. As an educator, he teaches Flight Mechanics, Experimental Aerodynamics, and Aircraft Dynamics & Control, while supervising final-year projects. He has served as Head of Department (2007-2011), Senior Tutor, and 3rd Year Tutor. Active in professional service, he chairs AIAA committees and serves on the EPSRC Peer Review College since 2002. Current projects include EPSRC-funded work on flexible aircraft dynamics and airborne wind energy systems. His collaborative network spans De Montfort University, IIT Kanpur, and NASA, with co-creation of an MSc module on Nonlinear Flight Mechanics.

• Nonlinear Flight Dynamics
• Bifurcation Analysis
• Aircraft Ground Manoeuvres
• +6 more

Professor Song Young-min is joining the Department of Electrical Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) as a Professor, with his appointment beginning July 1, 2025. His research focuses on developing innovative bio-inspired optical systems for robotics, with particular expertise in biomimetic cameras and neuromorphic vision systems. Professor Song's research interests span flexible optoelectronic devices and nanophotonics, with specific applications in biomimetic cameras for intelligent robots , optoneuromorphic devices and systems , nanophotonics-based reflective displays , and infrared-controlled radiative cooling devices . His work bridges electrical engineering, materials science, and biological inspiration to create energy-efficient vision systems that reduce computational demands. His recent publications demonstrate significant advancements in bio-inspired vision technology, particularly in feline-inspired vertical pupil systems that improve object tracking stability and cuttlefish-inspired W-shaped pupil designs for uneven lighting conditions. These innovations show how hardware improvements can substantially reduce energy consumption in robotic vision systems. Professor Song has established significant research collaborations with institutions including MIT (working with Frédo Durand on the Artificial Compound Eyes with Artificial Intelligence project), EPFL, and Northwestern University. His work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature, Science Robotics, and Science Advances. His laboratory focuses on developing next-generation vision systems that integrate biological inspiration with cutting-edge optical engineering, with applications ranging from surveillance robots to autonomous vehicles. Current projects include improving wide-angle imaging capabilities and developing more efficient optic flow processing systems for drone navigation.

• Flexible optoelectronic devices
• Nanophotonics
• Biomimetic cameras
• +5 more

Prof. D. (David) Lentink is a Full Professor of Biomimetics at the University of Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on understanding biological flight mechanics, particularly in birds, to inspire advanced robotics and aerospace innovations. He holds a PhD in Experimental Zoology (cum laude, Wageningen University, 2008) and dual MS/BS degrees in Aerospace Engineering (Delft University of Technology, 2003). Lentink leads the Biomimetics Group, pioneering projects like rudderless flight and morphing-wing drones. His work bridges biomechanics, robotics, and aerodynamics, with notable contributions to aerial grasping systems and biomimetic materials. Education: PhD cum laude, Experimental Zoology, Wageningen University (2008) MS/BS, Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology (2003) Research Interests: Biomimetics, bio-inspired design, animal flight biomechanics, aerodynamics of flight, and aerial robotics. His lab develops cutting-edge tools like the Aerodynamic Force Platform to measure in vivo forces and advanced wind tunnels for precise flight studies. Awards: 2018 Steven Vogel Young Investigator Award 2017 National Academy of Engineering Gilbreth Lecturer 2013 World Economic Forum Top 40 Scientists Under 40 Grants & Labs: Lentink oversees grants from NSF, Human Frontiers Science Program, and Dutch Academic Year Prize. His lab collaborates globally and maintains ties with Stanford University’s former projects. Current focus includes biomimetic drones for complex environments and understanding turbulence adaptation in birds.

• Biomimetics
• Bio-inspired Design
• Animal Flight
• +3 more

Dr. Swathi Krishna is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Group at the University of Southampton since August 2021. She holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (2009), an M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from TU Delft (2012), and a Ph.D. in Mechanics from EPFL, Switzerland (2017). Her research focuses on experimental fluid mechanics, unsteady vortex-dominated flows, and bioinspired engineering solutions for sustainable aeronautical and marine technologies. Her work spans aerodynamics of vertical axis turbines, propeller-wing interactions in novel VTOL aircraft, flapping wing kinematics inspired by insects, and morphing wing designs. Utilizing advanced facilities like recirculating water channels, wind tunnels, and robotic systems, her group explores fluid-structure interactions to optimize engineering systems. Current projects include EPSRC equipment maintenance collaborations and Royal Society-funded studies on water surface locomotion. Dr. Krishna supervises PhD students in topics ranging from cyclorotor aerodynamics to bioinspired robotics. Her teaching includes modules on aerodynamics and design activities, integrating cutting-edge research into academic instruction.

• Aerodynamics
• Experimental Fluid Dynamics
• VTOL Systems
• +3 more

Maria Tomas Rodriguez is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at City University London. She has been with the institution since 2007, initially as a Lecturer (2007-2014) and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014. Prior to her position at City University, she was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London and a Research Assistant at the University of Sheffield. Dr. Rodriguez earned her Licenciatura in Physics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, followed by a Masters and PhD in Control Systems Engineering from the University of Sheffield. She further completed an MPhil in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London, establishing her interdisciplinary expertise spanning physics, control systems, and aeronautics. Her research primarily focuses on nonlinear control systems applied to diverse platforms including floating offshore wind turbines, rotorcraft dynamics, marine vehicles, and motorcycle suspension systems. She has developed innovative methodologies for dynamic modeling, stability analysis, and control of complex mechanical systems, with particular emphasis on vibration reduction and oscillation damping in challenging environments. Her work bridges theoretical control approaches with practical engineering applications in renewable energy and vehicle dynamics. Her publication record shows consistent output across multiple domains, with recent work concentrating on floating offshore wind turbine technology, helicopter dynamics, and advanced control techniques for autonomous systems. The interdisciplinary nature of her research is evident in her collaborations across engineering disciplines and institutions. Dr. Rodriguez has extensive experience in supervising research and teaching across mechanical engineering and aeronautics disciplines. Her technical expertise spans nonlinear dynamics, system identification, control theory, and their applications to complex engineering systems in marine, aerospace, and automotive contexts. She maintains active research in structural dynamics and control for renewable energy systems, particularly focusing on floating wind turbine technology, where she has developed methodologies for stability analysis, vibration identification, and motion control of these complex marine structures.

• Control Systems Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Wind Turbine Dynamics
• +5 more

Christopher Jouannet is an Associate Professor and Docent at Linköping University's Department of Management and Engineering (IEI), affiliated with the Fluid and Mechatronic Systems (FLUMES) group. His work focuses on aircraft design, sustainable aviation, and system-of-systems engineering. He holds a position in the Fluid and Mechatronic Systems department, contributing to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of aerospace and systems engineering. Research interests include sustainable aviation technologies, unmanned aerial systems, agent-based simulation frameworks, and ontology-driven system design. His recent work addresses economic viability of regional aircraft concepts, zero-emission transportation strategies in Scandinavia, and technology assessments for defense-related airborne platforms. Publications emphasize innovative approaches to aircraft actuation systems, multi-fidelity modeling integration, and systems-of-systems architectures. His contributions span both academic journals and conference proceedings, with a strong emphasis on applied research impacting aviation sustainability and defense capabilities. Labs/Teams: Active member of the FLUMES research group, collaborating on projects involving conceptual aircraft design, system integration, and advanced simulation methodologies.

• Aircraft Design and Systems
• Sustainable Aviation
• System of Systems Engineering
• +3 more

Dimitrios Rozakis is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is actively engaged in research and teaching at the College of Engineering, where he leads the Aerodynamics & Propulsion Laboratory . Education PhD in Aerospace Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (2012) MSc in Fluid Mechanics, University of Manchester (2008) Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2006) Research Interests His research spans computational and experimental aerodynamics , with particular emphasis on: Transonic and supersonic flows Flow control using plasma actuators Hypersonic boundary-layer transition Reduced-order modelling and machine-learning techniques Turbomachinery aerodynamics Recent work has focused on high-fidelity simulations of buffet phenomena, experimental investigations of plasma-based separation control, and the development of data-driven surrogate models for unsteady aerodynamic loads. Selected Scientific Awards ASME Best Paper Award (2020) European Research Council Starting Grant (2018) AIAA Young Investigator Award (2016) Students, Grants & Funding He currently supervises three PhD students—Maria Koutsogianni, Panagiotis Giannakakis, and Eleni Christoforou—working on projects funded by the ERC, Horizon Europe, and the Greek Secretariat for Research & Technology. Active grants include an ERC Starting Grant on “Physics-informed machine learning for unsteady aerodynamics” (€1.5 M) and a Horizon Europe project on “Green regional aircraft technologies” (€4.2 M). Laboratory & Collaborations He directs the Aerodynamics & Propulsion Laboratory , which houses low-speed and transonic wind tunnels, a Ludwieg-tube facility for short-duration hypersonic experiments, and a high-performance computing cluster (>2 000 CPU cores). Ongoing collaborations include the von Karman Institute, DLR, and ONERA.

• Aerospace Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics
• Aerodynamics
• +3 more