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Katie Byl is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her research focuses on robot dynamics and control, particularly in locomotion and manipulation, with applications in rough terrain legged locomotion, supervised autonomy, and flapping-wing flight. She holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. Affiliations: Center for Control, Dynamical Systems and Computation (CCDC) Mechanical Engineering Department Research Interests: Byl’s work emphasizes modeling and control of underactuated systems, stochasticity in real-world environments, and the development of robust control principles for dynamic systems. Her applied projects include exoskeletons, autonomous robots like RoboSimian (part of the DARPA Robotics Challenge), and flapping-wing microrobotics. Scientific Awards: NSF Early Career Development Award Hellman Faculty Fellowship Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship in Neuroscience Regents’ Junior Faculty Fellowship Teaching & Advising: Byl teaches courses in control systems (e.g., ECE 147B, ECE 179D) and robotics. She advises students in UCSB’s Robotics Lab, emphasizing a mix of control theory, mechanical design, and algorithm development. Undergraduate researchers are also recruited annually for summer projects. Labs & Teams: Her Robotics Lab focuses on hardware implementation of control ideas, maintaining a high robot-to-student ratio. Collaborations include the Army’s Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies and the DARPA Robotics Challenge with JPL.

• Robotics
• Control Systems
• Robot Dynamics and Control
• +7 more

Robert Wood is the Charles River Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a founding core faculty member at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. He leads the Harvard Microrobotics Lab, focusing on the design and fabrication of biologically-inspired robots at the micro- to centimeter scale. His research spans microrobotics, microfabrication, soft robotics, and fluid mechanics of flapping wings . He develops novel manufacturing techniques and control systems for robots with extreme size and power constraints, notably advancing the field of insect-scale robotics. His work integrates principles from mechanical engineering, materials science, and biology to create morphable, autonomous systems. Wood's research has led to groundbreaking projects such as the NSF-sponsored RoboBees expedition, aiming to develop autonomous robotic bee colonies. His work emphasizes not only technological innovation but also broader impacts in STEM education, using robotics to inspire young learners. Scientific Awards: DARPA Young Faculty Award NSF Career Award ONR Young Investigator Award Air Force Young Investigator Award Technology Review TR35 Multiple Best Paper Awards Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2010) Alan T. Waterman Award (2012) As principal investigator of major federally funded projects and leader of the Harvard Microrobotics Lab, Wood mentors students and researchers in cutting-edge robotics. His lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in biologically inspired engineering. While specific advisees are not listed, his role as a PhD advisor and research supervisor is central to his academic mission. The lab actively contributes to both fundamental science and practical applications, with future work likely expanding into swarm intelligence, environmental monitoring, and medical micro-robotics.

• Microrobotics
• Biologically Inspired Engineering
• Microfabrication
• +7 more

Dr. Zhu Lailai serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), appointed in January 2020. His research bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with cutting-edge engineering applications through computational and theoretical approaches. Dr. Zhu holds a PhD from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and completed postdoctoral training at Princeton University. His research program centers on: Low-Reynolds-number fluid-structure interactions and bio-inspired adaptive systems Active matter dynamics (Janus colloids, active droplets, flagella/cilia) Intelligent fluids integrating machine learning for fluid dynamics Microrobotics with reinforcement learning-based chemotactic navigation Non-Newtonian/multiphase flows and microfluidics applications Analysis of his 2017-2025 publications reveals a clear trajectory toward AI-enhanced fluid mechanics, evolving from foundational theoretical models to machine learning integration. Recent work emphasizes foundation models for fluid dynamics prediction and topology-adaptive microrobotic navigation, demonstrating interdisciplinary convergence of physics, AI, and bionics. Scientific Awards: No major scientific awards specified in source materials Advising and Grants: While specific advisees and grants aren't detailed, his active publication record across high-impact journals (Nature Communications, Journal of Fluid Mechanics) indicates ongoing supervised research and likely grant funding through NUS and collaborative projects. Research Group: Dr. Zhu leads a computational/theoretical research team at NUS investigating active and intelligent fluids, with current projects on PCM thermal systems, microrobotic navigation, and active matter phase transitions, collaborating with experimentalists globally.

• Fluid-Structure Interactions
• Active Matter
• Bio-inspired Design
• +6 more

Hyun (Michel) Koo is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine , with affiliations in the Department of Orthodontics , Division of Community Oral Health , and Division of Pediatric Dentistry . As Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD) , he leads interdisciplinary efforts merging bioengineering, nanotechnology, and oral health research. Education : DDS and PhD Research Focus : Biofilms, bacterial-fungal interactions, and nanotechnology for oral disease prevention Leadership : Co-Director of CiPD; key roles in training programs like NIDCR-sponsored R90 and T90/R90 Dr. Koo’s research explores biofilm mechanisms in oral infectious diseases, particularly childhood caries, through engineering methods and microrobotics . His team developed micron-scale robots for automated biofilm eradication and FDA-approved nanoparticles for caries prevention. Collaborations with Penn Engineering, including Dr. Daeyeon Lee and Dr. Kacy Cullen, emphasize translational approaches. The 15 most recent publications highlight his work in nanorobotics , interkingdom biofilms , and precision diagnostics . Articles span 2025–2024 and address topics like adaptive micromotors , biofilm matrix degradation , and single-cell microbial interactions . These emphasize his focus on targeted therapies and biofilm microenvironment engineering . Key Awards : Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for innovative dental research Dr. Koo trains next-generation researchers through the CiPD NIDCR T90/R90 Postdoctoral Training Program , mentoring fellows like Smruti Nair (ACE2 Chewing Gum development) and Zhi Ren (K99 awardee). His work intersects with Penn Health-Tech, CT3N , and Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics , fostering transdisciplinary innovation.

• Biofilms
• Oral Infectious Diseases
• Nanotechnology
• +3 more

Bradley Nelson is a Full Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zürich since 2002, leading the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (1995), with prior roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995-1998) and Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota (1998-2002). His research focuses on microrobotics and nanorobotics for biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery and medical robotics. He leads the Microrobotics Lab (MSRL) and chairs international workshops/conferences. Awards include IEEE and ASME Fellowships, and Best Paper accolades at major robotics venues. Research interests emphasize magnetic microrobot navigation, smart materials, and clinical translation of robotic systems. His work bridges engineering and medicine, addressing challenges like cerebral vasculature navigation for drug delivery. He has developed electromagnetically controllable catheters and telesurgery frameworks. Leadership roles include Head of the ETH Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering and Chairman of the ETH Electron Microscopy Center (EMEZ). Notable contributions include magnetically guided microcatheters, variable-stiffness catheters, and clinical-ready navigation systems. Ongoing projects explore magnetoelectric effects and biodegradable micromotors for environmental and biomedical uses. His lab collaborates with industry and academic partners globally to advance robotic solutions for healthcare challenges.

• Microrobotics
• Nanorobotics
• Medical Robotics
• +3 more

Kristofer Pister is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-directs the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) and the Ubiquitous Swarm Lab. His career spans groundbreaking innovations in Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Control Systems, and Low-Power Circuits, with a focus on Smart Dust and synthetic insects. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in EECS from UC Berkeley (1992, 1989); B.A. in Applied Physics from UC San Diego (1986). His research areas include MEMS , Control Systems , Robotics , and Integrated Circuits , with recent work on self-powered micro-sensors, crystal-free radios, and interplanetary swarm networks. Key awards include the ISA Albert F. Sperry Founder Award (2009) , Alexander Schwarzkopf Prize (2006) , and the NSF CAREER Award (1996) . He has authored numerous influential publications in wireless sensor networks and microrobotics. His lab, Ubiquitous Swarm Lab , explores distributed robotics and swarm intelligence. Pister emphasizes open collaboration in research, ethical conduct in academia, and efficient resource utilization for graduate students.

• Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
• Control Systems
• Robotics
• +6 more

Julia R. Greer serves as the Ruben F. and Donna Mettler Professor of Materials Science, Mechanics and Medical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she also holds the position of Executive Officer for Applied Physics and Materials Science since 2025. She earned her B.S. from MIT (1997) and M.S./Ph.D. from Stanford University (2000/2005), joining Caltech as Assistant Professor in 2007, promoted to Professor in 2013, and appointed to her current named professorship in 2019. Her research spans mechanics of hierarchical architectures , nanomaterials , and additive manufacturing , with significant contributions to energy storage systems and biomedical materials . Key focus areas include nano-scale mechanical properties, in-situ deformation analysis, and development of novel fabrication techniques for micro-architected materials. Her group pioneered hydrogel infusion additive manufacturing for metals and multiphoton 3D lithography standards. Analysis of recent publications reveals strong emphasis on solid-state battery interfaces (2025), bioresorbable microrobots (2024), and AI-enabled material design (2024), demonstrating cross-disciplinary impact across energy, healthcare, and quantum technologies. Her work consistently bridges fundamental nanomechanics with practical applications in energy storage and medical devices. 2024 ASME Nadai Medal 2024 SES A.C. Eringen Medal Elected to National Academy of Sciences (2025) Fletcher Jones Foundation Director (2019-2025) Professor Greer has advised over 40 PhD students including Seola Lee (2025) and Wenxin Zhang (2025), with research funded by collaborations spanning MIT, UCSF, Purdue, and ETH Zurich. Her group maintains active projects in lightweight nanoarchitected materials for impact absorption, electroactive polymers for braille devices, and 3D interdigitated solid-state batteries. Current leadership includes Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Physics (2024-) and direction of Caltech's Materials Science department.

• Mechanics of Hierarchical Architectures
• Nanomaterials
• Additive Manufacturing
• +7 more

Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024. Current faculty at Vanderbilt University Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients. Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices ( PNAS ), sustainable sensor materials ( ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering ), and agricultural robotics ( ICRA , IROS ). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021. Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021) Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021) As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.

• Bioelectronics
• Intelligent Systems
• Wearable and Implantable Sensors
• +7 more

Zoran Cenev holds a Tenure Track Assistant Professor position within the Mechatronics and Dynamics section of the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering at the School of Engineering, Aarhus University. His primary institutional affiliation is with AU Engineering, and contact details include email zoran.cenev@mpe.au.dk and telephone +45 20 64 75 44, with office location Aarhus N, 5128-140. Research interests focus on interdisciplinary applications of magnetic and robotic systems: Robotic micromanipulation via electromagnetic needles Ferrofluid-based biofabrication for skeletal muscle engineering Laser-induced photothermal droplet control Theoretical modeling of particle dynamics at fluid interfaces Surface engineering for underwater metallic stability Nanostructure formation through ion bombardment His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a dominant trend in adapting ferrofluids for biomedical automation, particularly 3D bioprinting of magnetically responsive tissues and droplet manipulation on engineered surfaces. This work bridges mechanical engineering with regenerative medicine, emphasizing practical implementations of theoretical models for microscale precision. Scientific awards are not documented in the provided information. As a faculty member, Dr. Cenev likely mentors graduate students and pursues research grants, though specific advisees or funding details are absent. Departmental laboratories and workshops support his experimental work in mechatronics, with emphasis on magnetic manipulation systems and surface characterization.

• Robotics
• Mechatronics
• Ferrofluids
• +3 more

Metin Sitti is a Professor and currently serves as a part-time adjunct professor at Koç University's Faculty of Medicine and Engineering. He is also the President of Koç University and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems since 2014. His research spans robotics , micro/nanorobotics , physical intelligence , bio-inspired robotics , and materials science . Undergraduate: Boğaziçi University (Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 1992) Master's: Boğaziçi University (1994) PhD: University of Tokyo (Electrical Engineering, 1999) His research focuses on small-scale robotics for biomedical applications, including magnetic microrobot swarms , biohybrid systems , and functional materials . Recent publications emphasize 3D control , wireless actuation , and clinical translation of robotic systems. Scientific Awards : 2020 Scientific Breakthrough of the Year 2018 Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Science Medal 2014 IEEE/ASME Best Mechatronics Paper Award 2013/2012 World RoboCup Micro-Robotics First Prize He has advised numerous students and collaborates with institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and University of Stuttgart. His work integrates physical intelligence into miniature robots for medical imaging , drug delivery , and autonomous systems .

• Robotics
• Micro/Nanorobotics
• Physical Intelligence
• +3 more

Daniel Razansky is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, leading the Professorship for Biomedical Imaging. His research spans engineering, physics, biology, and medicine, focusing on developing advanced in vivo imaging tools like optoacoustic tomography and ultrasound neuromodulation. His recent work emphasizes multi-scale functional and molecular imaging , with applications in neuroscience , Alzheimer’s disease , and stroke diagnostics . Collaborations include National Tsing Hua University and the EU Horizon consortium SWEEPICS. Current projects target hybrid imaging systems (e.g., MRI-MSOT) and image-guided neuromodulation. Scientific awards include the IPPA James Smith Prize for his contributions. His lab has secured significant grants, including a $2.5M NIH award and SNSF funding. He mentors PhD students like Quanyu Zhou and Eva Remlova, who have received accolades for their research. The Razansky Lab at ETH Zurich’s Preclinical Imaging Center explores medical microrobotics , dynamic fluid flow imaging , and neuroimaging techniques , aiming to bridge engineering with clinical applications.

• Biomedical Imaging
• Functional Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• +7 more

Dr. Carla Vilela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro and Principal Researcher at CICECO. She coordinates the Sustainable Materials research line and leads projects on cellulose-based materials and circular economy. Her research focuses on sustainable materials from cellulose and renewable resources for applications in water remediation, food packaging, and textiles. Education includes a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Aveiro and postdoctoral work at CICECO and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (UK). Research interests include: Development of cellulose-based functional materials Nanocomposites for biomedical applications Sustainable packaging solutions Biopolymer modification and characterization Publications demonstrate strong focus on cellulose nanocomposites, bioprinting bioinks, and active packaging. Recent articles frequently involve nanocellulose modifications, drug delivery systems, and sustainable material design. Awards include being named among World's Top 2% Scientists annually since 2020. Funding includes national projects (Cell4Janus) and EU collaborations (PRIMA Im-Pack). Leads the BioPol4Fun research group and supervises 6 PhD students. Current projects explore cellulose-based microrobots, resin valorization, and marine biopolymers.

• Sustainable Materials
• Cellulose Nanocomposites
• Biopolymers
• +2 more

Zeynep Temel is an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering, jointly appointed in the Biomedical Engineering and Robotics Institute. She leads the Zoom Lab, focusing on bio-inspired compliant mechanisms for robotic systems. Current research emphasizes adaptable robots for complex environments through mechanical intelligence and embedded control . Key application areas include surgical robotics , search-and-rescue , and micromanipulation . Her work spans bio-inspired design, compliant robotics, and human-centered applications. Recent publications highlight advancements in: Swarm robotics for collaborative exploration Soft actuators using bioplastics and gelatin Dexterous manipulation via delta robot frameworks The Zoom Lab trains students in robotic fabrication and biological modeling, with members transitioning to roles in academia and industry.

• Bio-Inspired Robotics
• Compliant Mechanisms
• Robotic Manipulation
• +3 more

Calin Belta is the Brendan Iribe Endowed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is affiliated with the Institute of Systems Research (ISR) and the Maryland Robotics Center (MRC), and holds a Research Professor position at Boston University's College of Engineering. His work bridges control theory, formal methods, and machine learning to ensure safety in cyber-physical and data-driven systems, with applications in robotics, autonomous driving, and systems biology. Research Interests: Focus on dynamics and control theory, formal methods for verification and control synthesis, robotics, autonomous systems, and synthetic biology. Recent projects include PROGENIC (collaborating with MIT, UChicago, and UDelaware) and safety-critical control for heterogeneous robotic teams. Key Achievements: General Chair of the 2025 MRC Symposium, recipient of AFOSR Young Investigator Award (2008), NSF CAREER Award (2005), and IEEE Fellow. His work on formal methods for autonomous systems has led to impactful tools for safety assurance in robotics and AI. Grants: NSF EFRI PROGENIC grant (2024), multiple industry partnerships. Advising: Mentored students like Wenliang Liu (PhD 2024, now at Amazon), and collaborator Marius Kloetzer (shared HSCC Test of Time Award 2025). Labs/Teams: Maryland Robotics Center, Institute for Systems Research, and Boston University collaborations.

• Control Theory
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Formal Methods
• +5 more

Daeyeon Lee is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and holds the Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professorship. He leads the Soft Materials Research and Technology (SMART) Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research in soft materials, microfluidics, and biomedical applications. His work spans gas-encapsulating microcapsules, nanozyme-shelled microrobots, and AI-empowered droplet synthesis. Research Interests : Soft materials, polymer-nanoparticle interactions, microfluidics, targeted drug delivery, and AI-driven manufacturing. Grants : NSF Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA BioFoundry (NSF AIRFoundry), Wellcome Leap contract for lipid nanoparticle research. Scientific Awards : Penn CBE Distinguished Teaching Award, 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award in Nanoscience, Nemirovsky Engineering and Medicine Opportunity (NEMO) Prize. The SMART Lab has produced notable publications in ACS Nano , Advanced Healthcare Materials , and Science Advances , with recent work on biofilm treatment, water harvesting, and RNA-lipid nanoparticle manufacturing. The lab relocated to the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) in 2024 and collaborates with institutions like the Technical University of Munich and Carnegie Mellon University.

• Soft Materials
• Microfluidics
• Nanoscience
• +3 more