Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Ankit Saxena serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming since 2024, focusing on innovative applications of additive manufacturing in structural engineering and materials science. His work bridges theoretical design with practical implementations in energy, aerospace, and robotics systems. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University (2024) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University (2020) B.S. in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Delhi Technological University (2016) Dr. Saxena's research centers on developing adaptive stiffness structures , meta-materials , and functionally graded systems through advanced additive manufacturing techniques. His work specifically targets energy applications (nuclear, wind, hydrogen, oil/gas) and aerospace challenges, with emphasis on structural health monitoring and vibration damping. The SUMMIT Lab under his direction creates multi-functional materials enabling shape morphing and self-strengthening properties for next-generation engineering solutions. His publication record (2020-2024) reveals a consistent trajectory toward multi-physics meta-material design , with dominant themes in TPMS lattice optimization, fluid-structure interaction systems, and medical robotics applications. Key methodological contributions include novel fluid accumulator integration, laser powder bed fusion parameterization, and non-pneumatic tire architectures. Scientific Recognition: ASME Graduate Teaching Fellow (2022-2024) Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (Penn State, 2023) Dr. Saxena teaches core materials courses (ME 3450: Properties of Materials; ME 4150: Mechanical Behavior of Materials) while expanding his research group through active recruitment of PhD candidates for 2026. His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical applications of theoretical concepts, recognized through multiple Penn State teaching fellowships. The SUMMIT Lab operates at the intersection of Wyoming's energy priorities and cutting-edge manufacturing research, maintaining strategic focus on renewable energy infrastructure and aerospace applications through metal additive manufacturing innovations.
Jindong Tan is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (since 2015). Previously, he held roles at Michigan Technological University (2002–2015) and Northeastern University, China (1995–1998). He specializes in medical/surgical robotics, human-robot interactions, wearable sensors, control systems, and mechatronics. His research integrates robotics, biomedical engineering, and computer science to advance minimally invasive surgical tools, wearable technology, and autonomous systems. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University (2002), M.S. from Northeastern University (1995), and B.S. from Lanzhou University of Technology (1992). Research interests focus on developing innovative medical robotic systems, including laparoscopic camera robots, magnetic actuation mechanisms, and human-robot collaboration frameworks. He has contributed to advancements in wearable sensors for healthcare, sensor networks for dynamic environments, and calibration techniques for bio-inspired robots. Key projects include the design of an untethered laparoscopic camera robot (s-CAM), magnetic localization for surgical tools, and frameworks for controlled robot language in human-robot collaboration. His work emphasizes practical applications in surgical environments and wearable health monitoring. Professional service includes roles with the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and the Association for Computing Machinery. Contact: tan@utk.edu, Perkins Hall 315.
Patrick Slade is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). His lab, the Slade Lab, focuses on developing assistive devices to enhance mobility through the integration of biomechanics, robotics, and human-centered artificial intelligence. Key research areas include exoskeletons, prosthetics, wearable sensors for health tracking, and navigation aids for visually impaired individuals. Research Interests: The lab emphasizes translating research into practical solutions, such as personalized exoskeletons and robotic systems to improve mobility. Recent work includes optimizing human-robot interaction algorithms and publishing in high-impact journals like Nature . Collaborations with labs like the Biodesign Lab and BIONICs Lab highlight cross-disciplinary efforts. Publications: Over 15 articles since 2017 span topics like exoskeleton design, energy expenditure modeling, and Bayesian reinforcement learning. Notable contributions include a 2022 Nature paper on personalized exoskeleton assistance and a 2021 study on navigation aids for impaired vision. Awards & Grants: Students in his group have received prestigious NSF GRFP fellowships and conference awards, reflecting the lab's emphasis on innovation. The lab actively engages in grant-funded projects to advance assistive technology. Lab & Team: The Slade Lab opened at Harvard in 2023 and includes PhD students and postdocs working on devices like robotic exoskeletons and health-tracking systems. Future work focuses on scalable solutions for mobility challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Frank L. Hammond III serves as Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech's Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering since April 2015, directing the Adaptation Robotic Manipulation (ARM) Laboratory. A Carnegie Mellon PhD graduate, he previously held postdoctoral positions at MIT and Harvard as a Ford Fellow. His interdisciplinary work bridges mechanical engineering, biomedical applications, and computational design. Education Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University Hammond's research pioneers adaptive robotic manipulation (ARM) systems that operate in unstructured human environments through bioinspired computational design. His lab develops xenomorphic (non-biomorphic) robots using soft pneumatic actuation, flexible electronics, and machine learning to achieve biological-level versatility. Key application domains include wearable human augmentation devices , haptic-enabled surgical teleoperation , and autonomous soft platforms for medical and industrial use. The ARM methodology integrates empirical biomechanics characterization with simulation-driven optimization and rapid prototyping. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Medical rehabilitation breakthroughs through intention-driven exoskeletons with soft bioelectronics, (2) Novel locomotion strategies for soft robots in complex environments (sand, water, cluttered spaces), and (3) Advanced haptic feedback systems leveraging multimodal sensory substitution for proprioceptive restoration. These works consistently bridge biomechanics, control theory, and human factors. Awards Ford Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard School of Engineering Hammond actively mentors graduate researchers including PhD candidates Lucas Tiziani (soft actuators) and Bangyuan Liu (earthworm robotics), and Master's student Alex Hart (pediatric haptics). His lab secures research funding for projects like tunable mechanical interfaces for neuropathy treatment and cognition-focused wearable devices, with strong industry and clinical partnerships evident in co-authored medical device publications. The ARM Lab maintains robust collaborations across Georgia Tech's robotics, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering communities. The Adaptation Robotic Manipulation Laboratory operates from Whitaker Building Room 4102, housing specialized facilities for soft robot fabrication (3D printing, shape deposition manufacturing) and biomechanics testing. Current projects include pediatric haptic feedback displays, biomimetic swimming robots, and kirigami-skinned earthworm robots for subsurface locomotion. The lab emphasizes translational research with multiple pending medical device patents and active participation in K-12 STEM outreach programs.
Vanessa Samouëlian, MD, PhD, serves as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Montreal. Based at the Montreal University Hospital Center (CHUM), she specializes in gynecological oncology within the Gynecological Oncology division. Her institutional roles include leading Tumor Board meetings and serving as a service representative on CHUM's medical act evaluation committee and the University of Montreal externship committee. Her educational background includes: MD from University of Montpellier 1, France (1992-1998) Certificate of Clinical and Therapeutic Synthesis and Master's in Biological/Medical Sciences (1998) IUD in Colposcopy and Cervicovaginal Pathology (1999) DES in Gynecology-Obstetrics from University of Lille 2, France (2005) PhD from Biology-Health Doctoral School, University of Lille 2 (2007) Clinical Fellowship in Gynecology Oncology at CHUM (2009-2011) Dr. Samouëlian's research centers on gynecological malignancies with emphasis on cervical, endometrial, and vulvar cancers. She investigates molecular biomarkers for nodal metastasis, treatment outcomes in high-risk endometrial carcinoma, and surgical innovation including robotic techniques. Her work bridges clinical oncology, cancer pathology, and HPV vaccination strategies through national collaborations. Her 2015-2016 publications reveal a cohesive research trajectory focused on endometrial cancer through the Canadian High Risk Endometrial Cancer (CHREC) Consortium. Key themes include adjuvant therapy optimization, pathological pattern analysis (MELF invasion), and surgical training innovation using virtual reality simulation. These works demonstrate integration of clinical practice, molecular diagnostics, and surgical education within gynecologic oncology. Within CHUM's organizational structure, Dr. Samouëlian contributes to the Historical Assignment Team and Gynecological Oncology division. She co-developed the Contemporary Clinical Questions on HPV-Related Diseases and Vaccination booklet with Gynecologic Oncology Canada and Merck Canada, endorsed by major Canadian gynecological societies including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Howie Choset is a Professor of Robotics at the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. He directs the Undergraduate Robotics Minor and leads the Biorobotics Laboratory, where his research focuses on snake robots, motion planning, and medical robotics. He is also affiliated with the Manufacturing Futures Institute. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1996) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1995) B.S.E., Computer Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (1990) B.S., Economics, The Wharton School of Business (1990) Choset's research centers on robotics for confined and complex environments, particularly through the development of snake robots. His work integrates mechanism design, path and motion planning, and estimation to enable applications in surgery, manufacturing, infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue. He is a pioneer in medical robotics and has co-founded Medrobotics to commercialize minimally invasive surgical robots. His recent publications highlight a strong focus on ergodic exploration, multi-agent systems, motion planning under uncertainty, and medical robotics. Themes include optimizing robot trajectories for information gathering, solving complex path planning problems with dynamic obstacles, and advancing autonomous systems for disaster response and space exploration (e.g., the EELS robot for Enceladus). MIT Technology Review Top 100 Innovators under 35 (2002) Best Paper Award, RIA (1999) Best Paper Award, ICRA (2003) Best Paper, IEEE Bio Rob (2006) Best Video, ICRA (2011) Nominations for best papers at ICRA, IROS, and CLAWAR Choset has advised numerous students, many of whom have won top awards. His lab has received significant funding for robotics research, including projects in surgical robotics, additive manufacturing, and autonomous exploration. He is the lead author of the textbook Principles of Robot Motion and is actively involved in educational innovation through custom robotics labs. He leads the Biorobotics Laboratory at CMU, which develops advanced robotic systems like snake robots and the EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) robot for NASA missions. The lab collaborates with industry and government agencies on applications ranging from surgery to space exploration.
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.
Gregory D. Hager is the Mandell Bellmore Professor of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University, with joint appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine. He serves as the head of the NSF's Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate (as of 2024) and is the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare. Previously, he chaired the Department of Computer Science from 2010-2015 and served as deputy director of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology. Hager's research focuses on collaborative and vision-based robotics, time-series analysis of image data, and medical applications of image analysis and robotics. His work spans surgical robotics, human-machine collaboration, and computer vision with applications in healthcare. As director of the Computational Interaction and Robotics Lab (CIRL), he investigates dynamic spatial interaction at the intersection of imaging, robotics, and human-computer interaction. His research has led to real-world applications in surgical training, medical imaging, diagnostics, and computer-enhanced interventional medicine. Hager's publications demonstrate consistent advancement in surgical data science, with recent work focusing on 3D reconstruction from endoscopic video, surgical skill assessment using AI, and robotic assistance in neurosurgery. His research trajectory shows increasing integration of deep learning with surgical robotics, particularly in real-time guidance systems and objective skill assessment metrics. IEEE Fellow MICCAI Fellow ACM Fellow AIMBE Fellow AAAS Fellow MICCAI Best Paper Award (2006) Fulbright Junior Faculty Award (1988) Morris Ruben Outstanding Dissertation Award (1988) Hager has advised numerous PhD students who have become leaders in computer vision and medical robotics. His lab has secured significant research funding, including NSF Engineering Research Center support. He co-founded two successful startups: Clear Guide Medical (ultrasound-guided procedures) and Ready Robotics (industrial robot usability). As chair of the Computing Community Consortium and member of the International Federation of Robotics Research board, he has shaped national research agendas in computing and robotics. Hager leads the Computational Interaction and Robotics Lab (CIRL), which is associated with the NSF Engineering Research Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology (ERC-CISST) and the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR). His team collaborates extensively with clinicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital to translate robotics research into clinical practice.
Adam Khalifa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Florida. His research focuses on low-power analog/RF/Mixed-mode ASIC design, miniaturization of biomedical devices, wireless powering solutions, and neural stimulation/recording techniques in animal models. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and degrees from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His work emphasizes implant packaging, electrode microfabrication, and coil design for medical applications. Key research areas include developing energy-efficient wireless systems for implanted devices, such as magnetoelectric antennas and galvanic body-coupled powering. He has pioneered advancements in miniaturized implantable devices, including the 'Microbead' stimulator. His NIH T32 Fellowship (2019) and Ferdinand H. Fellowship (2018) reflect his impactful contributions. Publications highlight innovations in wireless power transfer, metamaterials for biomedical implants, and injectable microdevice fabrication. His work spans from circuit-level modeling to in vivo validation, emphasizing both technical and biological integration challenges. Collaborative efforts address challenges like implant migration tracking via MRI and energy harvesting for battery-free systems.
Xiaoyao Fan is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College, specializing in image guidance systems for neurosurgery and spine surgery. His work focuses on improving intraoperative imaging accuracy through computational modeling, stereovision, and ultrasound technologies. He collaborates with the Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI) at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) and has contributed to over 400 surgical cases involving real-time imaging and feedback systems. Education: B.E. in Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University (2007) Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Dartmouth College (2012) Research Interests: His research emphasizes minimizing surgical errors via real-time brain deformation compensation, spine motion correction, and intraoperative imaging systems. Techniques include stereovision, 3D ultrasound, and machine learning for image registration and navigation. Key applications include open and minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. Publications: His work spans stereovision systems for spinal surgery, brain shift compensation algorithms, and intraoperative ultrasound registration. Recent contributions address human feasibility and porcine model validation of surgical navigation tools. Grants & Labs: Collaborates with Medtronic on integrating updated imaging into navigation systems. Active in the CSI DHMC lab, focusing on clinical translation of real-time imaging solutions. Teaches ENGS 111: Digital Image Processing. Labs & Teams: Works within Dartmouth’s engineering and medical collaboration networks, advancing surgical precision through interdisciplinary research.
Javad Dargahi is a Professor of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering at Concordia University, Montreal. His research focuses on haptic sensors, robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery, and smart sensor fabrication using micromachining and piezoelectric polymers. He leads projects in teletaction, embedded force sensing for soft robots, and medical device innovation. Research interests include tactile sensor design for robots and endoscopes, nonlinear impedance matching in surgical robotics, and deep learning-driven force estimation for catheters. His work bridges mechanical engineering with biomedical applications, emphasizing safety and precision in interventional surgeries. Recent publications explore multitask neural architectures for intracardiac catheters, real-time force control algorithms, and biomimetic soft robotics. His lab develops miniature optical sensors and stiffness-adaptive systems for surgical tools, with applications in cardiac ablation and vascular navigation.
Stéphanie P. Lacour is a Full Professor at the School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where she holds the Foundation Bertarelli Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology. She leads the Laboratory of Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI) and is affiliated with multiple departments including INX-STI, STI-SMT, SV-SSV, and AVP-DLE-EDOC. Since 2025, she has served as EPFL’s Vice-President for Support to Strategic Initiatives, overseeing institutional research strategy. Her research is centered at Campus Biotech in Geneva, where she was the founding director of the Neuro-X Institute. PhD in Electrical Engineering, INSA Lyon, France (1998–2001) Postdoctoral Research, Princeton University and University of Cambridge Joined EPFL in 2011 Her research focuses on soft bioelectronic interfaces that seamlessly integrate with biological tissues. She pioneers the development of stretchable, compliant electronics for implantable and wearable applications, using techniques from MEMS and microelectronics adapted to elastomeric substrates. Her work enables long-term, minimally invasive neural interfacing for applications in neuroprosthetics, rehabilitation, and health monitoring. Key innovations include soft electrocorticography arrays, liquid metal sensors, and encapsulation methods for chronic implants. Her recent publications span high-impact journals such as Nature , Science Robotics , Advanced Materials , and Nature Nanotechnology , covering topics like neural stimulation, soft robotics, wireless implants, and hydrogel-based interfaces . The work demonstrates a strong trend toward multimodal, closed-loop, and translational neurotechnologies with real-world clinical potential. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. She advises a large cohort of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have completed their theses under her supervision. Her team has received funding for projects in neural interfacing, bioelectronics, and soft robotics. She is actively involved in teaching courses such as Soft Microsystems Processing and Devices and Neural Interfaces . Lacour leads the Laboratory of Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI) , a multidisciplinary research team focused on the fabrication, characterization, and in vivo evaluation of soft bioelectronic systems. The lab collaborates extensively across EPFL and with clinical partners to translate technologies from bench to bedside.
Cristian Fiori is a Professor at the Department of Oncology, University of Turin. His research focuses on endoscopy, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, and laparoscopic techniques, with a strong emphasis on urology and oncology. He is actively involved in teaching advanced surgical methodologies and medical technologies across various academic programs. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as 'New Frontiers in Robotic and Imaging-Guided Surgery' and 'Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Surgery.' He contributes to the 'MedInTO Medicine and Surgery' and 'Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare' programs, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to modern medical practices. Fiori holds roles in academic governance, including membership in the Department Council and Giunta of the Department of Oncology. His work integrates clinical expertise with technological advancements in surgery and healthcare delivery.
Ehsan Azimi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Arizona, where he is also a member of the Graduate Faculty. His research bridges human-AI interactive systems, extended reality, robotics, and human-centered design, with a strong focus on medical applications. His research interests lie in creating synergistic human-AI systems that enhance medical procedures through advanced technologies. Key areas include extended reality for surgical navigation , robotics in minimally invasive surgery , and intelligent user interfaces . His work has led to innovations in smart glasses calibration, intraocular robotic snakes, needle steering, and digital twins for surgical training, all aimed at improving precision, safety, and learning in medicine. The recent articles highlight a consistent trend in medical robotics , augmented reality in surgery , and human-robot collaboration . These works span from hardware development to AI-driven interfaces, emphasizing real-time interaction, user experience, and clinical applicability across disciplines like ophthalmology, otology, and surgical education. Scientific Awards: Siebel Scholar Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship Link Fellowship Ehsan actively mentors students and scholars in research projects, indicating a strong commitment to academic advising. While specific grant details are not listed, his patented technologies and publication record suggest successful funding and translational research outcomes. His work has been featured in Engineering Magazine and other media, reflecting its impact and innovation. His research is conducted within an interdisciplinary lab environment focused on human-centered AI and medical robotics, integrating expertise from computer science, engineering, and clinical medicine to develop next-generation surgical and training systems.
