Find Academic Supervisors

Professor Michael S. Triantafyllou serves as the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Professor in Ocean Science and Engineering and Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also directs MIT Sea Grant, a significant research center focused on ocean-related science and engineering. His work bridges multiple disciplines within mechanical and ocean engineering, with a strong emphasis on biomimetic approaches to underwater systems. Triantafyllou's research focuses on biomimetic ocean robots and sensors, flow-structure interaction, and the dynamics and control of ocean vehicles. His work in experimental fluid mechanics has led to groundbreaking developments in understanding how marine animals move and sense their environment, which he applies to create innovative underwater technologies. His research spans from fundamental fluid dynamics to practical applications in underwater robotics and sensing systems. His publications reveal a strong emphasis on vortex-induced vibrations, biomimetic sensing inspired by marine animals (particularly harbor seals and fish), and the development of novel underwater propulsion systems. His research shows consistent innovation in applying biological principles to engineering solutions for underwater vehicles and sensing systems. Fellow, American Physical Society, 2014 Aurel Stodola Medal and Lecture 'Biomimetic survival hydrodynamics and sensing', ETH Zurich, May 2014 William I. Koch Professor of Marine Technology (2008 - 2017) Discover Magazine Awards for Technological Innovation (1998) Work on Robotic Tuna featured on cover of Scientific American (March 1995) As Director of MIT Sea Grant and previously as Director of the Center for Ocean Engineering (2005-2017), Triantafyllou has led significant research initiatives and secured substantial funding for ocean-related research. His work with the Towing Tank Facility (which he has directed since 1988) and Propeller Tunnel Facility has supported numerous research projects in marine hydrodynamics. Triantafyllou's laboratory work focuses on biomimetic ocean technologies, particularly robotic systems inspired by marine animals. His famous RoboTuna project has been exhibited at major museums worldwide and represents a landmark achievement in biomimetic underwater robotics.

• Biomimetics
• Experimental Fluid Mechanics
• Ocean Robotics
• +5 more

Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.

• Numerical Modeling
• Computational Simulation
• Materials Science
• +5 more

Dr. Beibei Ren is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2010, followed by postdoctoral work at UCSD and a research fellowship at NUS. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (NUS, 2010) Previous Positions: Postdoctoral Scholar (UCSD, 2010-2013), Research Fellow (NUS, 2009-2010) Her research focuses on dynamic systems and control with applications in renewable energy integration, microgrids, UAVs, MEMS, marine systems, and manufacturing. At Texas Tech, she directs the Dynamic Intelligent Systems, Control and Optimization (DISCO) Group , emphasizing robust control strategies for uncertain systems. The 15 most recent publications highlight her expertise in uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE)-based control , with applications in smart grid technologies, wind and solar energy systems, quadrotor robotics, and power electronics. Her work bridges theoretical control theory with practical implementations in renewable energy and autonomous systems. STEM Outreach: Actively promotes diversity in engineering through Texas Tech's STEM CORE programs.

• Dynamic Systems and Control
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Smart Grid Technology
• +4 more

Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao is a globally recognized expert in offshore hydrodynamics and renewable energy technologies at The University of Queensland , School of Civil Engineering. With over 110 publications and 30 million AUD in secured research funding, his work bridges theoretical and practical advancements in marine engineering. Research focuses on Clean Energy , Artificial Intelligence , and Climate Change , specifically floating wind energy, floating solar, offshore aquaculture, and green hydrogen production. His 15 most recent articles (2024-2025) emphasize wave-structure interactions, gap resonance dynamics, and AI-driven wave prediction, published in top journals like Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Ocean Engineering . Scientific awards include the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2024-2028) and DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022) , recognizing his contributions to academia and industry. He teaches the 'Design of Offshore Energy Systems' course , training hundreds of students in coastal and ocean engineering, and serves as Deputy Editor for Ocean Engineering and Associate Editor for ASME's Journal of OMAE . Available for research supervision, Zhao actively collaborates with editorial boards of Applied Ocean Research and other Q1 journals.

• Offshore Hydrodynamics
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Wave-Structure Interactions
• +12 more

Angela Pitenis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on interfacial phenomena in soft materials, particularly friction, adhesion, wear, and deformation of complex surfaces ranging from living cells to polymer nanocomposites. She employs advanced experimental techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and interferometry to study these interfaces under extreme conditions and within buried environments. Her work has direct applications in healthcare, energy sustainability, and engineering design. Prof. Pitenis holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. Her research group investigates biomaterials, hydrogel lubrication, and bioinspired materials, with recent studies addressing implant-associated inflammation, tumor cell dynamics in 3D microgels, and pH-responsive hydrogel friction. She is affiliated with the Materials Research Lab at UCSB and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of materials science and biology. Notable research trends in her work include the development of biocompatible lubricious surfaces, understanding friction-induced biological responses, and designing smart materials with tunable mechanical properties. Her studies on photoresponsive hydrogels and superlubricious materials highlight innovations in responsive and adaptive material systems. Pitenis emphasizes in situ experimental methods and has pioneered techniques for analyzing dynamically evolving material interfaces. Her research also extends to marine biomaterials, such as the mechanical resilience of sessile tunicates, and explores applications in medical implants, bioreactors, and energy systems. While specific awards are not listed here, her contributions reflect a commitment to advancing soft matter tribology and biomaterials science.

• Biomaterials
• Polymer Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Xiaoming Hu is a Professor at the Division of Numerical Analysis, Optimization and Systems Theory within the Department of Mathematics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan) in Stockholm, Sweden. Born in Chengdu, China, he received his B.S. degree from University of Science and Technology of China in 1983, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Arizona State University in 1986 and 1989 respectively. After serving as a research assistant at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1983-1984), he was a Gustafsson Postdoctoral Fellow at KTH (1989-1990) before becoming a faculty member. His educational background includes: B.S. in Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 1983 M.S. in Engineering, Arizona State University, 1986 Ph.D. in Engineering, Arizona State University, 1989 Xiaoming Hu's research primarily focuses on multi-agent systems, nonlinear feedback stabilization, nonlinear observer design, and sensing and active perception. His work bridges theoretical control theory with practical applications in robotics and autonomous systems. He has made significant contributions to geometric control theory, mathematical systems theory, and nonlinear systems analysis and control. His research often involves developing theoretical frameworks for distributed control, formation control, and cooperative behavior in multi-robot systems. Professor Hu's publication record shows a consistent research trajectory with numerous high-impact publications in top-tier journals like Automatica, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, and Systems & Control Letters. His research has evolved from fundamental control theory to more applied problems in robotics and multi-agent systems, while maintaining strong mathematical foundations. Recent work shows increasing focus on safety-critical control, inverse problems in estimation, and networked systems. His scientific contributions include: Development of theoretical frameworks for multi-agent coordination and formation control Advances in nonlinear observer design for robotic systems Contributions to geometric control theory and systems theory Research on distributed estimation and control algorithms Applications of control theory to robotics and autonomous systems Professor Hu teaches several advanced courses including Mathematical Systems Theory, Geometric Control Theory, and Nonlinear Systems: Analysis and Control. He has supervised numerous degree projects at both undergraduate and graduate levels in mathematics, optimization, systems theory, and scientific computing. His teaching reflects his research expertise, providing students with both theoretical foundations and practical applications of control theory.

• Multi-agent systems
• Nonlinear control systems
• Systems theory
• +4 more

Stella Yu is a Professor specializing in computer vision, machine learning, and AI applications across medical imaging, robotics, and wildlife recognition. She emphasizes adaptive advising tailored to individual student strengths, with regular one-on-one and group meetings to discuss research progress and paper presentations. Yu's research group focuses on unsupervised learning, deep learning workflows, and interdisciplinary applications such as MRI reconstruction, meibography analysis, and aerial wildlife monitoring. Her work bridges theoretical advancements with practical tools like DeepInPy for inverse problems. She strongly advocates for teaching experience through GSI roles and ensures students have conference funding to present findings at top venues. Education Expectations: Regular literature review, lab presence for junior students, and clear authorship protocols. Key Research Themes: Feature learning, medical AI, computational optics, and wildlife population surveys. Her lab promotes a collaborative environment with structured feedback loops, emphasizing both technical rigor and creative problem-solving. Current projects include BatVision for 3D spatial navigation using audio signals, and AI-driven solutions for dry eye diagnosis and building information modeling.

• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Medical Imaging
• +3 more

Yang Song is an ARC Future Fellow and Scientia Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science and Engineering , University of New South Wales (UNSW) . She serves as Associate Head of School (Research) and Co-Director of iCinema , focusing on AI and Computer Vision applications for social good. Education: BEng in Computer Engineering (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), PhD in Computer Science (UNSW, 2013) Research Areas: Biomedical image analysis, human-centred AI, graph data modeling, neuro-symbolic learning, and AI trustworthiness. Her work develops domain-specific deep learning models for radiological segmentation, histopathology cancer analysis, and 3D reconstruction. Recent projects address explainability in LLMs, fairness in AI, and human-robot interaction frameworks. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications in top venues like CVPR , MICCAI , and NeurIPS , her research spans biomedical imaging, robotics, and general multimodal AI. Scientific Awards include: 2024: ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Human-Robot Teaming 2023: Google Inclusion Research Award 2022: NHMRC Ideas Grant for computational brain imaging 2021: UNSW Engineering Research Excellence Award 2020: Scientia Fellowship (UNSW) 2019: ARC Future Fellowship She supervises 24 current PhD/MPhil students and has graduated 15 advisees, including placements at Harvard University and Siemens Healthineers. Her grants include collaborations with Surf Life Saving Australia and industry partnerships for AI-driven solutions.

• Computer Vision
• Deep Learning
• Multimodal AI
• +7 more

Leonardo Chamorro is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with affiliations in Earth Science and Environmental Change, Aerospace Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, renewable energy systems, and turbulence modeling. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2010) and has held academic positions at UIUC since 2013, advancing to Full Professor in 2024. Chamorro's work spans experimental and theoretical investigations of wind and hydrokinetic energy, geophysical flows, and particle dynamics. His research group, the Renewable Energy & Turbulent Environment Group (RE-TE-G), explores topics like tidal flow multifractality, vortex dynamics, and bio-inspired robotics. Key achievements include Nature and Lab on a Chip cover articles, and contributions to turbulence modeling for tidal energy systems. He has received awards such as the Best Paper Award in Energies (2018) and recognition for pandemic-related research (2021). His editorial roles include associate editorships at journals like Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Frontiers in Energy Research . Chamorro has supervised numerous graduate students and postdocs, contributing to over 150 peer-reviewed publications since 2009.

• Aero/Hydrodynamics
• Wind and Hydrokinetic Energy
• Advanced Flow Diagnostics
• +5 more

Matthew Dunbabin is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision (ACRV). His expertise spans environmental robotics, with a focus on vision-based autonomous systems for marine conservation, water quality monitoring, and greenhouse gas management. He holds a PhD from QUT and a BEng (Aerospace) from RMIT. Dunbabin has led projects at CSIRO and QUT, developing robots like COTSBot and RangerBot to combat marine pests and promote reef restoration. His work has earned national and international awards, including the 2019 Australian Water Association Award and 2016 Google Impact Challenge. Education: PhD in Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (Queensland, Australia) BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Australia) Research Interests: Environmental robotics and autonomous systems Vision-based perception and classification Marine habitat restoration and pest control Greenhouse gas monitoring via autonomous vehicles Cooperative robotics and sensor networks Awards & Recognition: 2019 Australian Water Association Award (SAMMI Project) 2019 Good Design Award - Sustainability (RangerBot) 2016 Google Impact Challenge People’s Choice Award (RangerBot AUV) 2010 Australian ICT Industry Association National iAward (iSnet) 2006 Queensland Engineering Excellence Innovation Award (Starbug Project) Grants & Projects: ARC Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision (ACRV): Leading robotic vision research (2014–present) Revolutionising Protection Against Air Pollution: Air quality monitoring networks (2015–present) Establishing Advanced Networks for Air Quality Sensing: Sensor development for urban environments (2017–present) Labs & Collaborations: ACRV at QUT Institute for Future Environments (QUT) CSIRO Autonomous Systems Laboratory (2001–2013)

• Environmental Robotics
• Vision-Based Perception
• Marine Robotics
• +4 more

Dr. Harry T. Conway is the Alternate Permanent Representative of Liberia and Chair of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He leads global maritime environmental policy initiatives, including the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. His academic affiliations include guest lecturing at the International Maritime Law Institute's special course on marine environmental protection and opposing a WMU PhD candidate's thesis. Education: PhD in Politics and International Relations (Cardiff University, UK), MA (Distinction) in International Maritime Policy (University of Greenwich, UK), and MBA (Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands). His research focuses on environmental politics, with emphasis on climate agreements and maritime decarbonization. Professional Experience: Policy Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Liberia's IMO Permanent Mission (2012–present), Chief of Staff at Liberia Maritime Authority (pre-2012), and finance roles in Liberian banking institutions. He contributed to the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy for the African Union and serves on the International Quality Assessment Review Body (IQARB). Publications include contributions to 'The African Union and the Law of the Sea' and peer-reviewed articles on maritime innovation and decarbonization. He frequently speaks at international shipping conferences and advises on maritime regulatory frameworks.

• Environmental Policy
• International Maritime Law
• Maritime Decarbonization
• +3 more

Jihyun Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. She was awarded the Anna Boyksen Fellowship by the Technical University of Munich Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) in 2021, hosted by Prof. Michael Zäh. Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2016) Prior post at Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (2016-2019) Her research focuses on mechatronics, robotics, manufacturing automation, and control systems , with applications in machine tools, additive manufacturing, and precision measurement. She integrates artificial intelligence and optimization to enhance industrial automation. Recent publications highlight work on vibration control , sensor fusion , and flexible manufacturing systems . Her team explores dynamic modeling , nanocomposite sensors , and human-in-the-loop robotics for industrial and marine applications. 2020 Remote Teaching Award, Schulich Engineering 2020 Early Achievement Award, Association of Korean-Canadian Scientists and Engineers 2018 Best Achievement Award, KIMM She supervises doctoral and master’s students at the University of Calgary, emphasizing hands-on experience and MATLAB/Python simulation skills in her lab. Her work bridges quantum logic and industrial robotics through interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Manufacturing Automation
• Mechatronics
• Robotics
• +7 more

Prof. Jaume Sanz Subirana is a Tenure Full Professor of Mathematics at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), BarcelonaTECH, and a Senior GNSS Scientific Researcher. He has been affiliated with the Department of Mathematics since 1983. His primary research focuses on GNSS data processing algorithms, ionospheric sounding, and high-accuracy navigation systems like WARTK and Fast-PPP. He co-founded the spin-off company gAGE-NAV S.L. in 2009 and served on the European Space Agency's GNSS Scientific Advisory Group (2018-2022). Prof. Sanz Subirana holds a Physics degree (1982) and a PhD in Galactic Dynamics (1987) from the Universitat de Barcelona. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers (50+ in top JCR journals), 200 conference works, five books (including ESA-commissioned volumes), and holds four patents. His work has earned four best paper awards and UPC's Merit Recognition for teaching excellence. His research group, gAGE/UPC, specializes in GNSS navigation algorithms, ionospheric monitoring, and SBAS/GBAS systems. Key contributions include ionospheric gradient monitoring, real-time kinematic positioning, and mitigation of space weather effects on navigation signals.

• GNSS Data Processing
• Ionospheric Sounding
• Satellite Navigation Systems
• +7 more

Mike Grimble is a Research Professor in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Engineering. His work is centered on advanced control systems with applications across automotive, aerospace, marine, and industrial domains. He is actively involved in theoretical and applied research, particularly in nonlinear and robust control methodologies. Research Interests: Theory and application of nonlinear and robust control for multivariable systems Adaptive control and estimation methods Benchmarking and performance assessment of control systems Condition monitoring and industrial applications Real-time control and embedded systems His recent publications highlight a strong trend in applying predictive and adaptive control techniques to electric vehicles, battery systems, underwater robotics, and industrial machinery. These works emphasize real-time implementation, energy optimization, and robustness—critical for modern sustainable and autonomous systems. Scientific Recognition and Activities: Invited speaker on the benefits and challenges of advanced control in industrial applications (2013) Contributor to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable industry and innovation Active research output with over 158 publications, including journals, conferences, and book chapters Research Leadership and Funding: Principal Investigator on multiple EPSRC and RSE-funded projects Co-investigator in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Medical Devices Doctoral Training Centre Organizer of international workshops on hybrid and predictive control Labs and Research Teams: He is associated with the Industrial Control Centre at the University of Strathclyde, a leading hub for control engineering research. His collaborations span departments and institutions, involving real-time LabVIEW implementations, hardware demonstrations, and partnerships with industry players like National Instruments and Quanser Inc.

• Nonlinear Control
• Robust Control
• Adaptive Control
• +7 more

Dr James Herbert-Read is an Associate Professor and Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate Education) and leads the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly marine organisms, collect and process information from their environments to make behavioral decisions, with emphasis on social interactions, adaptation mechanisms, and ecological constraints. His group employs theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and quantitative field studies to investigate behavioral diversity in marine species. Key themes include collective behavior, predator-prey dynamics, camouflage strategies, and the impacts of environmental stressors on animal decision-making. Recent publications highlight work on lionfish vocalization mechanisms, cuttlefish camouflage, citizen science applications in marine research, and behavioral responses to visual and acoustic noise. Scientific awards and affiliations include: Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology Associate Professor, University of Cambridge He has supervised research projects on topics such as: Social attraction in invasive fish species Evolution of coordinated movement Neurophysiological basis for leadership in shoals Maternal effects on offspring exploration

• Behavioural Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Collective Animal Behaviour
• +4 more