Fluidic-Based Locomotion Professors and Supervisors | ApplySharif

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Hang LuView profile

Professor

Georgia Institute of TechnologyUnited States

Hang Lu is a Professor and holds the Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Lu also holds a Love Family Professorship and leads the Lµ Fluidics Group, which focuses on engineering microfluidic systems and machine learning tools to address complex questions in neuroscience, developmental biology, and cell biology that are difficult to address with conventional techniques. Dr. Lu's research lies at the intersection of engineering and biology, with primary interests including: Microfluidic systems for high-throughput screens and image-based genetics and genomics Systems biology: large-scale experimentation and data mining Microtechnologies for optical stimulation and optical recording Big data, machine vision, and automation Developmental neurobiology, behavioral neurobiology, and systems neuroscience Cancer biology, immunology, embryonic development, and stem cells Her laboratory engineers microfluidic devices and BioMEMS to study neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, and biotechnology. These miniaturized Lab-on-a-chip tools operate at scales comparable to biological systems, leveraging unique micro and nano-scale phenomena to gather large-scale quantitative data about complex biological systems. Current projects include Microfluidics for Life Sciences, Optical Neuron Recordings and Manipulations, Machine Learning Tools for Neuroscience, Measuring and Modeling Behavior, and High-throughput, High-content Cell-based Assays. Analysis of Dr. Lu's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong trend toward integrating microfluidics with advanced computational methods: Development of deep learning frameworks for biological image analysis Advanced neuron tracking and functional imaging techniques Non-invasive characterization of 3D organoid cultures Sophisticated neuromechanical modeling of locomotion Microfluidic temperature control systems for in vivo studies Label-free imaging pipelines for neural development Dr. Lu's significant professional honors include: Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Love Family Professorship The Lµ Fluidics Group actively mentors students and postdocs, currently accepting new postdoctoral researchers. The lab receives substantial funding for interdisciplinary projects at the engineering-biology interface, with research implications spanning fundamental biological understanding to therapeutic development. The group operates within Georgia Tech's School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, with specialized facilities for microfluidic device fabrication, biological experimentation, and advanced imaging, maintaining strong collaborative ties across engineering, neuroscience, and biological disciplines.

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Jeffrey GuastoView profile

Associate Professor

Tufts UniversityUnited States

Jeffrey Guasto , Associate Professor at Tufts University, holds joint appointments in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and School of Arts and Sciences (Physics & Astronomy). His work bridges engineering, physics, and biology to study transport properties in complex systems. Ph.D., Engineering (2009), Brown University Sc.M., Engineering (2004), Brown University Dual B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering (2003), Lehigh University Research Interests focus on: Biophysics : Flagellar mechanics, chemotaxis, cell-fluid interactions Soft Matter : Active suspensions, colloids, viscoelastic materials Microfluidics : Device design for cell motility studies and gradient generation Environmental Transport : Microbial ecology in porous systems Scientific Trends from his 77+ publications show emphasis on microscale fluid dynamics, bacterial transport mechanisms, and viscoelastic flow instabilities. His 2024 Nature Microbiology work reveals phage-infected bacteria driving marine chemotaxis, while 2023 PNAS research explores stress topology in viscoelastic flows. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2016) for cell dispersal mechanisms Collaborative NSF grants (2015-2023) Advising includes mentoring 15+ students and postdocs. His grants portfolio features 9+ awards, notably NSF grants for viral-microbe interactions (2018) and flagellar mechanics (2020). Labs & Teams : Leads the Guasto Laboratory at Tufts, integrating microfluidics and high-speed imaging for studying microbial transport, while collaborating with MIT, Harvard, and international institutions.

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Alireza RamezaniView profile

Associate Professor

Northeastern UniversityUnited States

Alireza Ramezani is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, leading the SiliconSynapse Lab. He focuses on bio-inspired robotics, nonlinear systems, and robot locomotion, with a particular emphasis on morphological design and control inspired by biological systems. His work integrates control theory and experimental robotics to develop robots capable of navigating confined spaces, such as caves and ducts, using mechanisms derived from bat movements. Education : PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan (2014) MS, Mechanical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2010) BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (2007) Research Interests : Design of robots with non-traditional morphologies Nonlinear feedback control systems Legged and fluidic-based locomotion Bio-inspired robotics and biology-driven engineering Awards : 2024 ASME Rising Star Award 2024 NSF CAREER Award 2022 NASA Game Changing Program Award Science Magazine Top 5% Research Output (2020) Advising & Labs : Ramezani mentors students in projects like the NASA-funded “Crater Observing Bio-inspired Rolling Articulator” and oversees the SiliconSynapse Lab, which develops robots for space exploration and confined environments. Notable advisees include Henry Noyes, a NASA Space Technology Fellow. Labs/Teams : His lab collaborates with institutions like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) on projects such as the Mars Multi-modal Morphing (M4) Rover and bio-inspired snake robots for lunar crater exploration.

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Cara M. NunezView profile

Assistant Professor

Cornell UniversityUnited States

Cara M. Nunez is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell Engineering. Her research focuses on haptic interfaces, sensory perception, and human-robot interaction. Research Areas: Development of wearable haptic devices for sensory feedback Human perception of tactile stimuli under cognitive load Multimodal interaction combining haptic, audio, and visual cues Medical applications of haptic guidance systems Key publications explore smartphone-based sensory assessment, affective mediated touch, and haptic guidance for medical procedures. Her work appears in robotics and human-computer interaction venues.

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Xiaoguang DongView profile

Assistant Professor

Vanderbilt UniversityUnited States

Dr. Xiaoguang Dong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University , School of Engineering. He received his Ph.D. (2019) and M.S. (2016) from Carnegie Mellon University, and B.S. (2013) from Harbin Institute of Technology. His research focuses on miniature soft robotics , swarm robotics , and intelligent soft materials for biomedical, microfluidic, and biomechanical applications. Design of shape-morphing soft robots for minimally invasive medicine Development of magnetic microrobot swarms for cooperative tasks Integration of machine learning with mechanics for smart material design Recent publications highlight advancements in wireless medical robots for drug delivery, biofluid pumping, and tissue sensing, with works in Science Advances , Nature Communications , and PNAS . He has received significant recognition including the 2025 NSF CAREER Award and 2024 Med-X Young Investigator Award . 2022 Spring: Dynamics (ME 2190) 2023 Fall: Miniature Robotics 2014-2015: Teaching assistant at Carnegie Mellon University

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Katia BertoldiView profile

Professor

Harvard UniversityUnited States

Katia Bertoldi is the William and Ami Kuan Danoff Professor of Applied Mechanics at Harvard University's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences . She leads the Bertoldi Group: Solid Mechanics , focusing on mechanical metamaterials, multistable systems, and soft robotics. Her work integrates applied mathematics, materials science, and nonlinear dynamics to design architected materials with programmable properties. Research interests include: Mechanical metamaterials with tunable properties Multistable structures for energy absorption and reprogrammability Soft robotics leveraging origami/kirigami principles Machine learning-driven design of complex materials Recent work emphasizes reprogrammable systems (e.g., magnetic and thermal actuation) and textile-based metamaterials for wearable applications. Her team collaborates across disciplines, addressing challenges in biomedical devices, robotics, and sustainable manufacturing. Key contributions include: Developing metafluids with programmable shell instabilities Designing inflatable origami actuators for meter-scale reconfigurable structures Creating knitted fabrics with tunable mechanical responses Her lab explores energy-efficient actuators, adaptive fluid networks, and AI-driven material discovery, aiming to bridge theory and real-world applications.

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Krishna Manaswi DigumartiView profile

Lecturer

Queensland University of TechnologyAustralia

Dr. Krishna Manaswi Digumarti is a Lecturer in Robotics at the School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics, QUT, leading the QUT Centre for Robotics. He holds a PhD in Robotics and Autonomous Systems from the University of Bristol (2019), an M.Sc. in Robotics, Systems, and Controls from ETH Zurich (2014), and a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Hyderabad (2012). His research focuses on soft robotics, including shape morphing, variable stiffness mechanisms, and bio-inspired designs with applications in healthcare, automation, and haptics. He has pioneered technologies such as electro-adhesive clutches, self-healing robotic materials, and sensory feedback systems for prosthetics. Dr. Digumarti's work has been featured on the BBC, Channel 4, and French media, and he has secured grants including the Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellowship. He actively engages in STEM outreach, including workshops and collaborations with industry partners like Disney Research and EPFL.

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Animangsu GhatakView profile

Professor

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)India

Professor Animangsu Ghatak is a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, specializing in the mechanics of soft materials and related phenomena. Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur Research focuses on soft materials mechanics, adhesion, and interfacial phenomena Dr. Ghatak received his B.Tech (Hons.) from IIT Kharagpur in 1994, followed by an M.Tech from IIT Kanpur in 1998. He earned his PhD from Lehigh University in 2003 and completed postdoctoral research at Cambridge University, UK and Harvard University, USA from 2003-2004. His research interests span multiple areas of soft materials science including mechanics of soft materials, adhesion and friction at soft interfaces, locomotion of soft bodied objects, fracture of soft gels, multiphase flow through micro-channels, membraneless fuel cells, and the design of universal nucleants for protein crystallization. His work bridges fundamental mechanics with practical applications in materials science and engineering. Dr. Ghatak's publications demonstrate a focus on the behavior of soft materials at micro and nano scales, with particular emphasis on interfacial phenomena, material deformation, and innovative fabrication techniques for microfluidic systems. His research has significant implications for biomaterials, soft robotics, and microfluidic device design. Invited speaker at Gordon Research Conference on Adhesion Science, 2011 Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, 2010 Mr. and Mrs. Gian Singh Bindra Research Fellowship, 2009-2012 Diamond Jubilee Young Achiever's Award of the Indian Institution of Chemical Engineering, 2007 Young Engineer Award of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, 2006 Professor Ghatak maintains an active research program with multiple publications in high-impact journals. His work on nano-wrinkle substrates for protein crystallization and the mechanics of soft cylinders rolling uphill has received significant attention in the scientific community, including press releases from the Royal Society of Chemistry and research highlights in Nature Physics. He is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur, with office contact information available through the university directory.

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Venkatasubraman Kalpathy VenkiteswaranView profile

Assistant Professor

University of TwenteNetherlands

Venkatasubraman Kalpathy Venkiteswaran is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Device Design and Production Technology field. His research focuses on soft robotics , magnetic actuation , and biomedical applications . He explores topics such as variable stiffness mechanisms, medical devices, and biomimetic systems. He has contributed to advancements in magnetic soft robots, including multi-layer printing techniques and adaptive locomotion systems. His work integrates materials science with robotics, emphasizing applications in healthcare and minimally invasive interventions. Collaborations span global institutions, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Notable research includes the APOLLO project for endovascular interventions and fin-wave-inspired amphibious robots. His publications highlight innovations in actuation, modeling, and material design for robotic systems.

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Sara Abad GuamanView profile

Lecturer

University College LondonUnited Kingdom

Sara Abad Guaman is a Lecturer in Robotics, Control and Autonomous Systems at the Department of Mechanical Engineering , University College London , where she joined in 2022. Her research focuses on bioinspired robotics and morphological computation to enhance robotic adaptability for global challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and biodiversity. PhD in Robotics (Imperial College London) MSc in Artificial Intelligence (University of Southampton) BEng in Electronics and Control (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ecuador) Research Interests include soft robotics , haptics , and medical robotics . Her work bridges design engineering , bioinspiration , and control systems to create adaptable robotic systems. Key Awards : Policy Engagement and Impact Fellowship (2021) UCL IHE Impact Fellow (2020) SENESCYT Scholarship for MSc/PhD studies UNIVERSIDADES DE EXCELLENCIA award (2014-2019) Teaching includes Module Leadership for MECH0010 Instrumentation and Control, mentoring undergraduate students, and supervising MSc/PhD projects. She has also guest-lectured at UCL and served as Teaching Assistant at Imperial and King's College London.

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Qiang ZhuView profile

Professor

University of California, San DiegoUnited States

Qiang Zhu is a Professor in the Department of Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the Jacobs School of Engineering and the Charles Lee Powell Structural Research Laboratories. His research focuses on interdisciplinary investigations combining offshore engineering with biomechanics, particularly in fluid-structure interaction problems in biological systems and biomimetic design of engineering structures. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics from MIT (2000), B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Science and Technology of China (1993). Before joining UCSD, he held postdoctoral and research positions at MIT. Research interests include mechanics of skeleton-reinforced biomembranes (e.g., fish fins, cell membranes), flow energy harvesters using flapping foils, and fluid-structural modeling of floating wind turbines. His work bridges biological systems and engineered solutions, emphasizing biomimetic principles. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2009). Publications span fluid-structure interaction, bioinspired propulsion systems, and renewable energy technologies. Recent work addresses extreme wave effects on floating turbines and novel energy harvesting mechanisms. His lab explores applications in marine energy systems, biomedical engineering, and autonomous underwater vehicles, leveraging advanced numerical modeling and experimental validation.

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Sarah BergbreiterView profile

Professor

Carnegie Mellon UniversityQatar

Sarah Bergbreiter is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with a courtesy appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She specializes in robotics, particularly in microrobotics, bioinspired systems, and soft robotics. Her research focuses on developing tiny, high-performance robots and understanding principles of energy-efficient, rapid mechanical systems. Education: B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University (1999), M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley (2004–2007). She joined CMU in 2018 after faculty positions at the University of Maryland. Key awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2011) and PECASE (2013). Research Interests: Microrobotics, bioinspired design (e.g., trap-jaw ants, spiders), legged/aerial robotics, soft materials for robotics, and sensor integration. Notable projects include the picotaur hexapedal robot and airflow sensors for micro aerial vehicles. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending mechanical, electrical, and biomimetic engineering. Awards: DARPA Young Faculty Award (2008), Best IEEE ICRA Paper (2010), and leadership in NSF/NCS grants. Her work bridges fundamental science and applied robotics, addressing challenges in energy efficiency, miniaturization, and autonomy. Advising/Grants: While specific student names aren't listed, her research teams focus on robotics innovation. Grants include NSF-funded studies on sensorimotor control and microscale systems. She collaborates with CMU’s Robotics Institute and other institutions. Labs/Teams: Engages with CMU’s robotics community and leads projects in microrobotics, soft sensing, and biohybrid systems. Her lab develops novel fabrication techniques (e.g., 3D printing of actuators) and explores environmental sensing for small robots.

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Benjamin GorissenView profile

Assistant Professor

KU LeuvenBelgium

Benjamin Gorissen is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Science. He is a core member of LIMNI (KU Leuven Institute for Micro- and Nanoscale Integration), contributing to committees including the Council of the Faculty of Engineering Science and programme committees for Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on interdisciplinary soft robotics, emphasizing fluidic systems, nonlinear actuators, and biomimetic designs. Key areas include pneumatic artificial muscles, origami-based robotic structures, metamaterials for programmable fluids, and medical simulators. His work integrates materials innovation with control systems to develop autonomous, intelligent soft machines. Gorissen leads multiple projects such as MORPHIS (mammary organoid platforms), origami-topology soft robots, haptic human extenders, and anti-inflammatory drug delivery systems. His publications frequently appear in high-impact journals ( Nature , Science Robotics ), exploring themes like embodied intelligence, fluidic oscillators, and metamaterial programming. He teaches courses in Micro-electromechanical Systems, Engineering Entrepreneurship, and integrated design projects, emphasizing practical innovation.

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Wouter Metsola van der WijngaartView profile

Professor

KTH Royal Institute of TechnologySweden

Wouter Metsola van der Wijngaart is a Professor in Micro and Nanosystems at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip systems, micro/nanostructured soft matter, biosensors, and biomedical microdevices. He serves as Deputy Head of Department and actively engages in technology commercialization through spin-off companies. Education : M.Sc. in Electrotechnical Engineering (KU Leuven, 1996), Ph.D. in Microsystems (KTH, 2002) Leadership Roles : Deputy Head of Department, Conference Chair (IEEE MEMS 2015), Editorial Board Member (Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering) Research Highlights His work spans microfluidics for sepsis diagnostics and urinary tract infection testing , programmable matter systems, and biomedical microdevices for pancreatic cancer screening and cell encapsulation . Key technologies include OSTE polymers , superhydrophobic surfaces , and nanophotonic biosensors . Commercialization Easypark - Mobile parking payments Mercene Labs - Off-stoichiometric thiol-ene polymers UTI-lizer - Point-of-care UTI diagnostics Lucky Loop Medical - EUS-FNA cytology brushes Extendo Medical - Endovascular biopsies Academic Leadership He has managed major European projects (H2020 ITN ND4ID, FP7 NOROSENSOR) and contributed to microsystem education through courses like Research Methodology and Scientific Writing and Microsystems Engineering .

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Monica OliveiraView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of StrathclydeUnited Kingdom

Dr. Monica Oliveira is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. She holds a PhD in Chemical & Process Engineering from Heriot-Watt University and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Porto. Her research focuses on fluid flows and transport phenomena, particularly the rheology of complex fluids and microfluidics. She has been affiliated with institutions like MIT and CEFT, and her work appears in journals such as Physical Review Letters and Journal of Fluid Mechanics. Her expertise includes computational fluid dynamics, microdevice design, and rheology (shear and extension). Key projects include designing microfluidic components for extensional rheometry and developing biofluid analogues. She leads several research projects, including the DTP 2224 and KTP collaborations. Awards include the Chaires Paris-Science 2024 Invited Professorship and FEUP Scientific Incentive Prize. Her research integrates fundamental flow physics with biomedical applications, such as ophthalmic viscosurgical devices and blood flow dynamics in aneurysms. Recent publications address topics like ferrofluid emulsions, viscoelastic instabilities, and microscale mixing. She actively participates in international conferences and serves roles in professional societies like the European Society of Rheology. Her lab focuses on optimizing microfluidic geometries for precise fluid characterization and biomedical applications.

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