Find Academic Supervisors

• Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• +3 more

Nathan Usevitch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU), College of Engineering. He joined the faculty in 2023 and maintains office hours during the Winter 2025 semester on Tuesdays (1-2 PM), Wednesdays (2-3 PM), and Fridays (12-1 PM). His office is located at 360 I EB in Provo, Utah. Education: Dr. Usevitch holds a PhD (2020) and Master's degree (2017) in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. His doctoral thesis focused on soft, shape-changing robots. Research Focus: His work centers on innovative robotic systems, emphasizing three interconnected themes: Soft & Compliant Robotics : Design of robots using flexible materials (e.g., inflatable structures, hyperelastic actuators) for adaptive movement and human interaction. Human-Centered Systems : Development of haptic interfaces (e.g., VR gloves, 3D shape displays) and wearable robots for enhanced human-machine collaboration. Reconfigurable & Space Systems : Modular robots, origami-inspired deployable structures, and lunar exploration systems leveraging geometric optimization. Prior to academia, he designed haptic gloves at Meta Reality Labs. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2021–2025) reveal a strong emphasis on soft robotics actuation , space-deployable mechanisms (origami arrays, lunar robots), and haptic interface innovation . Recurring technical themes include modular design, pneumatic systems, and kinematic optimization for reconfigurable structures.

Rodrigo I. SilveiraView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Geometry
• Combinatorial Geometry
• Geographic Information Science (GIS)
• +7 more

Rodrigo I. Silveira is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), where he conducts research in computational and combinatorial geometry. He is a member of the UPC research group on Discrete, Combinatorial and Computational Geometry and has a strong academic background, having earned his PhD at Utrecht University under Marc van Kreveld and completed prior studies at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. His research focuses on Computational Geometry , particularly problems arising from Geographic Information Science (GIS) , such as map construction, trajectory analysis, and visibility. He also works on Graph Drawing and algorithms for geometric structures. His work combines theoretical algorithm design with practical applications in spatial data. His recent publications reflect a consistent trend in geometric algorithms, including shortest paths in complex environments (e.g., portalgons), Voronoi diagrams with color constraints, robot motion coordination, and map inference from GPS data. These works appear in top-tier journals and conferences such as Algorithmica , Computational Geometry: Theory and Applications , SoCG, WADS, and LATIN. He has received scientific recognition, including a Best Paper Award at AGILE 2009 and another at SpatialGems 2021. He has supervised several PhD students to completion, including Guilermo Esteban (2024) and Pilar Cano (2020), and continues to advise current students. Rodrigo has been deeply involved in the academic community, organizing major events such as the European Workshop on Computational Geometry (EuroCG 2023), Graph Drawing 2018, and the Intensive Research Program on Discrete Geometry (2018). He has served on the program committees of SoCG, WADS, LATIN, and CCCG, and has chaired tracks for EGC and CG:YRF. His work is supported by collaborations with leading researchers such as Kevin Buchin, Maarten Löffler, Prosenjit Bose, and Vera Sacristán, and he contributes to both theoretical advances and practical implementations in geometric computing.

Sam KriegmanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Robotics
• Machine Learning
• Synthetic Biology
• +5 more

Sam Kriegman is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science , Chemical and Biological Engineering , and Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University . His research focuses on evolutionary robotics , machine learning , and synthetic biology , particularly through the development of the world's first AI-designed organisms ("xenobots"). Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellow NSF CAREER Award recipient ISAL Distinguished Early-Career Investigator Cozzarelli Prize awardee Sam's research interests span evolutionary robotics, synthetic biology, and embodied artificial intelligence, emphasizing how biological principles can inform robot design. His work explores kinematic self-replication, reconfigurable organisms, and the intersection of machine learning with cellular engineering. His most recent publications highlight advancements in AI-designed biological systems, modular robotics, and morphological co-design. These works intersect robotics , synthetic biology , and machine learning , with notable emphasis on self-replicating organisms , modular legged robots , and morphological pretraining . Scientific awards and honors include: Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellowship NSF CAREER Award ISAL Distinguished Early-Career Investigator Award Cozzarelli Prize Sam leads the xenobot.group lab, which investigates bio-inspired robotics and evolutionary computation . He also teaches the graduate course Artificial Life , focusing on embodied AI through simulations and synthetic biological constructs.

Ali HajimiriView profile

Professor

• Integrated Circuits
• Nano-Photonics
• Biosensing
• +7 more

Ali Hajimiri is the Bren Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he has been a faculty member since 1998. He also serves as Co-Director of the Space-Based Solar Power Project and previously held leadership roles such as Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering and Director of Information Science and Technology. B.S. in Electronics Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (1994) M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (1996, 1998) Hajimiri's research focuses on integrated electronics and photonics systems, spanning applications in wireless power transfer, quantum communication, biomedical devices, and flexible antenna arrays. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical implementations in silicon-based technologies across RF, mm-wave, and optical frequencies. Hajimiri's recent publications emphasize RF/Microwave Circuit Design , Quantum Photonics , and Flexible Electromagnetic Surfaces , with a notable trend toward space-based wireless ecosystems and reconfigurable phased arrays. His 15 most recent articles (2025–2024) highlight innovations in power transfer, quantum wavefunction manipulation, and deployable satellite systems. Scientific Awards : Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching (Caltech’s highest honor) Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and IEEE TR35 Top Innovator Three-time ASCIT Teaching Award winner ISSCC Jack Kilby Outstanding Paper Award NSF CAREER Award Okawa Foundation Award Hajimiri teaches foundational courses like EE 44: Deterministic Analysis of Systems and EE/MedE 114: Analog Circuit Design . He leads the Caltech Holistic Integrated Circuit (CHIC) Laboratory, mentoring a team developing technologies for space-based solar power , quantum receivers , and ultra-thin cameras . His lab has produced groundbreaking patents (over 180 issued) and spin-offs like Axiom Microdevices (acquired by Skyworks).

Matthew RobertsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• Mechatronics
• +4 more

Dr. Matthew Robertson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's University. His research focuses on bioinspired, soft, and multi-material robotic systems, emphasizing advanced manufacturing techniques, embedded control, and holistic design to enhance robotic performance in complex environments. He holds a PhD from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a Master’s from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor’s from MIT. Before joining Queen’s, he worked in industry on robotic prostheses and served as a postdoctoral researcher funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. His expertise spans novel materials (e.g., shape memory alloys, silicone polymers) and fabrication methods (e.g., laser micromachining, 3D printing). Key research areas include soft robotics actuation, underwater robotics, and wearable assistive devices. His work has been published in Science Robotics , Soft Robotics , and International Journal of Robotics Research . Dr. Robertson has received the Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoc.Mobility fellowship. His research explores topics such as self-reconfigurable robots, vacuum-powered actuators, and biomimetic systems like RoboScallop. He also develops educational tools, including an affordable actuated dynamic walker kit.

Maurice ter BeekView profile

Researcher

• Formal Methods
• Software Engineering
• Railway Systems
• +5 more

Maurice ter Beek is a Senior Researcher at the Formal Methods and Tools (FMT) Group of the Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI) , part of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) in Pisa, Italy. He leads the FMT Lab since 2019 and coordinates critical projects like ADVENTURE (railway systems evaluation) and T-LADIES (typeful language adaptation). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Formal Aspects of Computing and holds editorial roles in journals like Science of Computer Programming . His career spans academic leadership in international conferences (chair of ETAPS 2026 , RSSRail 2025 , etc.) and extensive collaborations in formal methods, railway systems, and software product lines. Research Interests: His work focuses on formal methods applied to industrial critical systems, particularly railways, with expertise in variability modeling, attack-defense trees, contract automata, and team automata. Publications address quantitative analysis of reconfigurable systems model checking for railway safety empirical studies on formal methods security risk modeling collaborative software engineering Scientific Awards: ERCIM Fellowship (2003, 2002) SegraVis Fellowship (2005) Best Paper at SPLC 2019 Best Paper at ICIW 2007 Socrates Grant (EU, 2000-2001) Additional Roles: He is a faculty member of the joint PhD program in Smart Computing (Florence, Pisa, Siena), member of ISTI’s Institute Council, and coordinates CNR’s involvement in the PNRR National Sustainable Mobility Centre . His global engagement includes over 50 conference organizing roles and editorial board memberships.

• Software Engineering
• Software Architecture
• Autonomous Systems
• +4 more

Patrizio Pelliccione is a Full Professor in Computer Science and Software Engineering at Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) and an Associate Professor at Chalmers | University of Gothenburg. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of L'Aquila. His research focuses on Software Architecture and Autonomous Systems, with applications in automotive and robotics domains. He has extensive international experience, including roles as Associate Professor at University of L'Aquila and Visiting Professor at Charles University. His research interests include software architecture design, autonomous systems, robotics, and automotive systems engineering. He actively collaborates with industry partners globally and has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed publications across journals and conferences. Pelliccione chairs the Computer Science area at GSSI and leads research initiatives in value-based software ecosystems, continuous compliance, and architecture-driven development. He serves on program committees for major conferences like ICSE and ICSA, and has authored/co-authored books on software architecture and fault-tolerant systems. His work emphasizes practical industry applications, with contributions to automotive systems engineering frameworks, robotic mission specification languages, and safety-critical software development. Current projects explore AI integration in safety-critical domains like space systems and medical devices.

Oliver KosakView profile

Researcher

• Self-organization and self-adaptation of technical systems
• Automated Planning
• Constraint Solving
• +5 more

Oliver Kosak is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Software & Systems Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Computer Science at the University of Augsburg. His research focuses on self-organization and self-adaptation in technical systems, with emphasis on swarm robotics, multi-agent systems, and self-organizing production in Industry 4.0 contexts. Research Interests Self-organization and self-adaptation Automated planning and constraint solving Swarm robotics and multi-agent systems Industry 4.0 and self-organizing production Scientific Contributions Developed Protease 2.0 for extended swarm formation flight Pioneered semantic plug-and-play architectures Advancing deadlock avoidance in self-organizing production Awards & Recognition 2022 Bavarian Culture Award (Science Category) He coordinates research on self-organizing process route planning in the KI-Production Network Augsburg and teaches courses on self-organizing systems at both bachelor and master levels.

Hella PonsarView profile

Academic

• Self-Organizing Systems
• Software Engineering
• Robotics
• +3 more

Hella Ponsar is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Software & Systems Engineering , Faculty of Applied Computer Science, University of Augsburg. Her work focuses on self-organizing software systems, testing adaptive systems, and applications in robotics and Industry 4.0. Research Interests: She investigates methods to prevent aging in software systems, systematic design of self-organizing systems, testing strategies for systems with unpredictable behavior, and ensemble programming for multipotent systems. Key projects include COMBO, TeSOS, and SAVE ORCA. Publications Overview: Her research spans self-organizing production cells, decentralized coordination, deadlock avoidance, and formal verification. Keywords include Robotics, Software Engineering, Adaptive Systems, and Trustworthy Systems. Scientific Awards: Award of the Swabian Economy 2012 (IHK Schwaben)

Robert BainesView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• Adaptive Morphogenetic Systems
• +4 more

Dr. Robert Baines holds the Professorship for Robotic Systems at ETH Zürich, leading research in adaptive morphogenetic robots, soft robotics, and amphibious robotic systems. His work emphasizes material science integration, reconfigurable mechanisms, and environmental adaptability. Key research areas include morphing limb design, tensegrity robots, and reproducible soft robotics methodologies. His research focuses on developing robots capable of evolving on demand through modular architecture and self-reconfiguration, with applications in multi-environment navigation. He has pioneered studies on inflatable actuators, tensile jamming fibers, and bio-inspired designs for amphibious locomotion. Baines also advocates for standardized testing protocols in soft robotics to ensure reproducibility and cross-laboratory collaboration. Notable contributions include the RoboWrangler rope-based grasping system and the amphibious robotic turtle demonstrating aquatic-to-terrestrial transitions. His work bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and artificial intelligence to create robust, context-aware robotic systems. Current projects explore variable stiffness mechanisms, multi-modal sensing, and energy-efficient morphing systems. Baines collaborates with industry partners to translate theoretical advancements into deployable robotic solutions for challenging environments.

Hod LipsonView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics
• Digital Manufacturing
• +6 more

Hod Lipson is the James and Sally Scapa Professor of Innovation in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia Engineering. He directs the Creative Machines Lab, pioneering research in artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital manufacturing. His work explores machine creativity, self-replication, and autonomous systems. His research focuses on artificial intelligence and robotics with emphasis on machine creativity, self-modeling, and generative systems. Lipson investigates fundamental questions about robot self-awareness and autonomous design capabilities. His lab develops novel approaches to soft robotics, metamaterials, and AI-driven scientific discovery, bridging mechanical engineering with computational intelligence. Lipson's recent publications reveal strong trends in self-referential robotics (egocentric self-modeling, robot metabolism) and AI-enhanced scientific methods (diffraction analysis, neural network reconstruction). His work consistently explores the intersection of physical embodiment and machine learning, with growing emphasis on generative models for materials science and sustainable engineering applications. Lipson is recognized as an award-winning researcher and communicator, though specific awards aren't detailed in the source text. His contributions span academic research, public engagement through books and media appearances, and practical applications in digital manufacturing. As director of the Creative Machines Lab, Lipson leads research on autonomous robot design, self-replicating systems, and creative machines. His team develops platforms for soft robotics, self-modeling systems, and AI-driven scientific tools. Current projects include laser-based cooking systems, smart building controls, and fundamental investigations into machine consciousness.

Seth GoldsteinView profile

Associate Professor

• Programming Languages
• Systems
• Computer Architecture
• +9 more

Seth Goldstein is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. His research focuses on ensembles (massively scalable systems), distributed systems, reconfigurable computing, and programmable matter (Claytronics). He leads projects like BoLT (a decentralized lending platform) and Phoenix (computing without traditional processors). He has advised numerous graduate students and teaches courses including Compiler Design, Computer Architecture, and Cloud Computing. Research Interests : Goldstein explores systems with massive interacting components, such as molecular-scale devices, modular robotics, and economic systems. His work spans compilers (e.g., register allocation optimizations), time synchronization protocols for embedded systems, and algorithms for self-reconfiguring robots. Recent projects include BlockGraph (a secure distributed ledger) and peer code review methodologies. Key Contributions : Goldstein's work on Claytronics pioneered programmable matter, enabling shape-shifting materials. His BoLT platform addresses lending market inefficiencies using blockchain principles. He has also developed algorithms for modular robot coordination and energy-efficient self-reconfiguration. Labs/Teams : Goldstein directs research in the CMU Robotics Institute and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like the PipeRench and Phoenix architectures. His lab explores intersections between nanotechnology, distributed systems, and societal applications like new monetary systems.

Aaron BeckerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Medical Engineering
• Swarm Intelligence
• +3 more

Aaron Becker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston. His research focuses on robotics, particularly using swarms of robots and magnetic manipulation for biomedical and engineering applications. His lab develops solutions involving particle relocation, surgical assist systems, and magnetic modular robots. He is affiliated with the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute (HPE DSI) and the Research Computing Data Core (RCDC). Research interests include swarm robotics, magnetic control systems, human-robot interfaces, and medical robotics applications such as clot removal and endovascular interventions. His work integrates algorithmic foundations with practical implementations, often validated through experiments and simulations. Recent work emphasizes magnetic rotating swimmers for biomedical uses, collaborative research on modular cubes, and interface design for robotic scope systems. His publications span topics from network optimization to surgical tool development, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to robotics challenges. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. His research activities include grant-funded projects and partnerships with institutions like HPE DSI. The lab's innovations aim to advance programmable matter and medical robotics through novel control strategies and modular systems design.

FEDERICA PASCUCCIView profile

Associate Professor

• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• Network Security
• +3 more

Federica Pascucci is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil, Computer and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Rome 3. Her research spans cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, and sustainability in supply chains. She serves as the Rector's Delegate for coordinating the Scientific Council of the University Library System. Phone: +39 0657333227 Email: federica.pascucci@uniroma3.it Address: Via Vito Volterra 62 Her research focuses on securing industrial cyber-physical systems, strategic control algorithms, and AI applications in societal contexts. Recent work explores female entrepreneurship, blockchain in urban planning, and digital transformation in SMEs. Key trends in her 2025 publications include cyber-physical security, AI ethics, and human-centric safety systems. 2024 works emphasize sustainability paradoxes in global supply chains, particularly coffee sector dynamics.

Graziana CavoneView profile

Associate Professor

• Automatic Control
• Model Predictive Control
• Cyber-Physical Systems Security
• +5 more

Associate Professor Graziana Cavone is with the Department of Civil, Computer and Aeronautical Technologies Engineering at Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy. Her research integrates automatic control, optimisation and AI to guarantee safe, secure and efficient operations of cyber-physical systems ranging from industrial robots and drones to water networks and intermodal freight terminals. Education & affiliation: Department of Civil, Computer and Aeronautical Technologies Engineering, Roma Tre University Scientific disciplinary sector ING-INF/04 – Automatic Control Research interests revolve around four pillars: (i) model-predictive and data-driven control of complex dynamic systems, (ii) safe and ergonomic human-robot/human-drone interaction in logistics 4.0 environments, (iii) cyber-security and resilience of industrial control and water-supply networks, and (iv) stochastic optimisation and Petri-net modelling for railway traffic and intermodal freight terminals. Recent 2024-2025 publications exhibit a clear trend toward AI-enabled anomaly detection, digital-twin security frameworks, and socio-technical studies on robot acceptance, while earlier work concentrated on COVID-19 mitigation control and collaborative-robot motion planning. Scientific awards & editorial activity: Guest-editor for IEEE CASE 2018 special section, publicity chair for IEEE CASE 2023; specific prizes not listed in supplied text. Advising & grants: No explicit student lists or funded-project details are provided in the source. Labs & teams: No dedicated laboratory designation is mentioned; research is conducted within the departmental laboratories of Roma Tre University.