Find Academic Supervisors

Nathan van de WouwView profile

Professor

• Dynamics and Control
• Mechatronics and Robotics
• Smart Manufacturing
• +6 more

Nathan van de Wouw is a Full Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with ICMS, EAISI Mobility, EAISI High Tech Systems, EAISI Foundational, and EIRES. He also holds an adjunct Full Professor position at the University of Minnesota and a part-time Full Professorship at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on dynamics and control of mechanical systems, including mechatronics, robotics, smart manufacturing, energy systems, and networked control. He has supervised over 150 students and led numerous projects funded by industry partners like ASML, Philips, and Shell. Education: M.Sc. (with Honors) in Mechanical Engineering, TU/e (1994) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, TU/e (1999) Research Interests: Nonlinear systems and control Model reduction and complexity analysis Data-driven and networked control strategies Applications in high-tech systems, autonomous vehicles, and energy systems Awards: IEEE Control Systems Technology Award (2015) for variable-gain control in motion systems Grants & Projects: Lead projects on mechatronic design, lithography systems, and thermodynamic optimization Collaborations with TNO, ASML, and industrial partners Labs & Teams: Member of TU/e’s Dynamics and Control group Affiliated with EAISI (Eindhoven AI Systems Institute)

Janet WalkoeView profile

Associate Professor

• Mathematics Education
• Algebra Teaching & Learning
• Teacher Noticing
• +3 more

Dr. Janet Walkoe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland. Her work focuses on mathematics education, particularly algebra teaching and learning, and the role of teacher noticing in responsive instruction. She holds a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University (2013), an MS in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BA in Mathematics from the University of Chicago. Before academia, she taught high school mathematics for a decade, earning National Board Certification. Her research emphasizes how teachers attend to student algebraic thinking during instruction and how pre-service teachers can develop noticing skills through video analysis. Key areas include teacher responsiveness, multimodal algebraic thinking, and computational thinking integration in mathematics education. She has led the NSF-funded CAREER grant (2020) exploring teacher noticing of student thinking, and co-authored influential works like Lenses for examining students’ mathematical thinking (2014), which earned an NCTM award. Notable Grants: NSF CAREER DRL 17-537 ($736,914), INFACT Subaward ($250k), Spencer Foundation Grant ($44k) Teaching: Courses include Interdisciplinary Teaching in Middle Grades (TLPL 423/424), Elementary Mathematics Education (EDCI 652), and Foundations of Mathematics Education (EDCI 751) Professional Development: Develops video-based tools for teacher reflection and computational thinking integration Walkoe advocates for culturally sustaining pedagogy and equity in teacher education. Her recent work bridges computational thinking with mathematics instruction, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to foster student engagement.

Kylie PepplerView profile

Professor

• STEM Education
• Maker Culture
• Computational Thinking
• +3 more

Professor Kylie Peppler is a dual Professor of Informatics and Education at the University of California, Irvine, leading the Creativity Labs and the Connected Learning Lab. Her research focuses on leveraging hands-on creativity—such as e-textiles, robotics, and traditional fiber crafts—to enhance STEM education, particularly for marginalized populations. She emphasizes the role of materiality in fostering systems thinking and equity in learning environments. Education: PhD in Education (UCLA), Postdoctoral training at UC Irvine, and prior roles at Indiana University. Her academic journey bridges psychology, art, and technology. Research Interests: Maker culture, computational thinking, STEAM integration, workforce development, and the impact of arts in education. She explores how tools like e-textiles and looms democratize access to STEM while addressing gender disparities. Key Projects: NSF-funded work on computational construction kits, Re-Crafting STEM initiatives, and Future of Work research using AR/VR for manufacturing training. Collaborations include Boeing, Inner-City Arts, and NYSCI. Awards: NSF Early CAREER Award, Mira Tech Educator of the Year, and Indiana Governor's Award. Her work is supported by NSF, Wallace Foundation, and industry partners. Grants & Labs: Over $10M in grants; directs labs advancing connected learning and equity through technology. Recent studies include virtual reality welding simulators and culturally sustaining arts practices. Labs/Teams: Creativity Labs (designing maker tools), Connected Learning Lab (digital equity), and partnerships with museums and industry to scale inclusive learning.

Carolyn SparreyView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomechanics
• Injury Biomechanics
• Computational models of injury
• +4 more

Carolyn Sparrey is an Associate Professor and Graduate Student Supervisor in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She leads the Neurospine Biomechanics Laboratory, focusing on injury prevention and management through biomechanical research. Her work bridges engineering principles with clinical applications, collaborating with Vancouver General Hospital and accident reconstruction experts. Dr. Sparrey holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (UC Berkeley, 2008), M.A.Sc. (UBC, 2004), and B.A.Sc. (University of Waterloo, 2001). Her research emphasizes spinal cord injury mechanics, tissue material characterization, and patient-specific modeling. She teaches courses like MSE 420 (Biomechanical Engineering) and MSE 222 (Kinematics and Dynamics). Her lab’s current projects include mechanical characterization of neurological tissues, thermodynamic modeling of spinal cord injury treatments, and injury prevention device design. Funding opportunities are available for exceptional graduate students through NSERC and CIHR awards. Undergraduate and co-op students can engage in projects aimed at publishing or presenting results. Dr. Sparrey actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on translating engineering solutions into clinical practice. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes preparing students for industry, research, and societal contributions through innovative curricula.

Taskin PadirView profile

Professor

• Experiential Robotics
• Human-Robot Teaming
• Embodied Artificial Intelligence
• +4 more

Taskin Padir is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University and concurrently serves as an Amazon Scholar. He holds a PhD and MS from Purdue University and a BS from Middle East Technical University. His research focuses on experiential robotics, human-robot teaming, and embodied AI, with leadership roles in the Robotics and Intelligent Vehicles Research Laboratory (RIVeR Lab) and the Institute for Experiential Robotics. Padir has led projects for DARPA, NASA, and industry partners, advancing autonomous systems for extreme environments and human-robot collaboration. Education: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University (2004) MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University (1997) BS, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Middle East Technical University (1993) Research Interests: Shared autonomy and human-in-the-loop robotics Embodied artificial intelligence Human-robot teaming in extreme environments (e.g., space, disaster zones) Collaborative robotics for industrial applications His work bridges robotics, AI, and real-world challenges, with recent projects addressing seafood processing automation, robotic navigation in unstructured terrains, and spectroscopy-based environmental monitoring. Awards: Recipient of the 2024 Faculty Research Team Award, 2023 Impact Award, and 2022 Amazon Scholar distinction. His research has been funded by NSF, DARPA, NASA, and industry collaborators like Amazon Robotics and Intel. Labs: Director of the RIVeR Lab and Institute for Experiential Robotics, fostering interdisciplinary research in autonomous systems and intelligent vehicles. Current projects include CRISP (Co-worker Robots for Seafood Processing) and PROSPECT (robotic spectroscopy tools).

• Bio-inspired electronics
• Mechanically adaptive electronics
• Multimaterial additive fabrication
• +9 more

Alex Chortos is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on bio-inspired electronics, mechanically adaptive materials, and advanced manufacturing techniques. He leads the Chortos Lab, which explores innovations in soft actuators, wearable haptics, and polymer design. Chortos holds a B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo (2011), a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2017), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University (2020). His academic work bridges fundamental material science with practical applications in robotics, biomedical devices, and human-machine interfaces. Key research areas include: Multimaterial additive fabrication for soft robotics Stretchable sensors and transistors for e-skin applications Design of durable and adaptive polymer systems His publications emphasize advancements in 3D printing techniques, bioinspired sensor systems, and the development of mechanically robust electronic components. Recent work explores photodynamic polymers and machine learning-driven optimization of soft actuators.

• Virtual Reality
• Social Interaction
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +4 more

Andrea Stevenson Won is a researcher at Cornell University in the Department of Communication , focusing on virtual reality (VR), human-computer interaction, and social dynamics in immersive environments. Her work explores avatar embodiment , nonverbal behavior , and accessibility in VR for users with disabilities. Research Themes : Virtual embodiment and its psychological effects Accessibility solutions for blind and low-vision users in social VR Nonverbal communication analysis in immersive environments Pro-social behavior through VR interventions Collaborative VR systems and AI integration Recent Article Trends : 2024: Investigated avatar behavior transformation in mixed reality ( MRTransformer ), AI-guided accessibility tools, and nonverbal cue adaptations 2023-2022: Focused on educational VR applications, 360° video narratives, and longitudinal team dynamics 2021-2014: Pioneered avatar embodiment studies, anxiety detection via movement tracking, and homuncular flexibility in VR

Guo PingView profile

Associate Professor

• Precision Engineering
• Intelligent Metrology
• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
• +5 more

Guo Ping is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University, leading the Advanced Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory (AIM). His research focuses on precision manufacturing, intelligent metrology via deep learning, and advanced manufacturing applications. He holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Automotive Engineering from Tsinghua University. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Research Interests: Dr. Guo’s work emphasizes innovations in precision engineering, including ductile-regime machining, smart metrology systems, and robotics-driven manufacturing. Key areas include structural coloration, additive manufacturing, and human-robot collaboration in industrial settings. His lab explores cutting-edge techniques like ultrasonic vibration machining and machine learning for defect detection and process optimization. Publications Trends: Recent work spans AI-driven quality control (e.g., photometric stereo networks), robotic swarm patterning, and wearable fatigue monitoring systems. His research bridges machine learning, robotics, and traditional manufacturing to address scalability and precision challenges. Awards: F.W. Taylor Medal (CIRP, 2023) ASME Kornel F. Ehman Manufacturing Medal (2021) SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (2020) Professional Service: Associate Editor of the Journal of Manufacturing Processes (2017–present). Active in organizing conferences and reviewing for top journals. Labs & Teams: Directs the AIM Lab, which integrates robotics, AI, and advanced materials to solve problems in precision fabrication and smart manufacturing. Current projects include structural coloration for anti-counterfeiting and fatigue prediction in industrial workers.

Levi J HargroveView profile

Associate Professor

• Signal Processing
• Pattern Recognition
• Myoelectric Control
• +3 more

Levi J Hargrove is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University, holding dual appointments in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Feinberg School of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering. He is also a Research Scientist at the Center for Bionic Medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. His work focuses on developing neural control systems for prosthetic limbs, particularly in myoelectric control and pattern recognition, aiming to create clinically viable solutions for amputees. Education: BScE in Electrical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, 2003 MScE in Electrical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, 2005 PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, 2008 Research Interests: Signal processing, pattern recognition, myoelectric control of powered prostheses, and neural interfaces for bionic limbs. His lab translates research into clinical applications, such as the first thought-controlled bionic leg and Coapt LLC's pattern recognition systems for upper-limb prosthetics. Awards: 2017 American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Research Award 2014 Department of Defense Outstanding Research Team Award 2015 Collaboration Award from Chicago Innovation Grants: Manages a $25 million portfolio from federal, military, and philanthropic sources. Key projects include NSF-funded research on human-robot interaction and DoD grants for prosthetic innovation. Labs: Leads the Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine and collaborates with the Neurorehabilitation and Neural Engineering Lab. His work emphasizes translational research, bridging engineering and clinical practice.

Vivek BoominathanView profile

Research Professor

• Computational imaging
• Computer vision
• Machine learning
• +7 more

Vivek Boominathan is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University. He is affiliated with the GLEE lab (Geometry, Light, & Imaging lab). His research focuses on computational imaging, combining computer vision, machine learning, applied optics, and nanofabrication to develop innovative imaging systems for applications such as robotics, medical sensing, and virtual/augmented reality. He has contributed to projects like PhlatCam (a lensless camera) and NeuWS (neural wavefront shaping). His work bridges optics, algorithms, and materials science to overcome traditional limitations in imaging systems. Boominathan's research interests include lensless imaging, optical meta-devices, turbulence mitigation, and bio-inspired imaging systems. He has developed systems like Foveated thermal imaging prototypes and real-time lensless microscopes. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating hardware design with machine learning. Key projects include: NeuWS: Neural wavefront shaping for imaging through scattering media CoIR: Compressive implicit radar for sensing applications FlatCam and PhlatCam: Ultra-thin lensless imaging devices Bioluminescence imaging in marine species His work has been published in top venues like Science Advances, Optica, and IEEE TPAMI. He collaborates with institutions like NASA JPL and industry partners on applied imaging solutions. Current research trends emphasize sensor-algorithm co-design and high-speed imaging systems for AR/VR applications. Boominathan holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and has extensive postdoctoral experience in computational imaging. He advises projects in the GLEE lab and mentors students in hardware-software co-design for imaging systems. His lab focuses on translating theoretical innovations into practical devices with commercial potential.

• Distributed Algorithms
• Programmable Matter
• Bio-inspired Algorithms
• +5 more

Andrea W. Richa is a President's Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), holding positions in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI), Barrett Honors College, and multiple research centers including the Biodesign Institute's Center for Biocomputing, Security, and Society. She specializes in distributed algorithms, programmable matter, and bio-inspired computing. Richa has led major research initiatives, including a DoD MURI award and an NSF CAREER Award, and has delivered keynote speeches at top conferences like DISC and LATIN. Her work focuses on self-organizing particle systems, wireless networks, and algorithmic foundations of active matter. Educations: PhD (Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1998), M.S. (Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1995), B.S. (Computer Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1989). Research Interests: Distributed algorithms, programmable matter, bio-inspired systems, wireless communication models, graph algorithms, combinatorial optimization, and resource allocation. She leads the Self-Organizing Particle Systems Lab and is part of SCAI's Theory and Algorithms group. Awards: 2024 ASU Mentorship Award, 2021 Mentor of the Year, 2017 SCAI Research Excellence Award, NSF CAREER Award (1999), and multiple grants including DoD MURI. Her research spans theoretical and applied domains, with over 150 publications in top venues. Grants: Current DoD MURI funding (2019-25), NSF awards on Markov chain algorithms and active matter (2021-25), and prior funding on programmable matter (2014-2017). Labs/Teams: SOPS Lab (sops.engineering.asu.edu), contributing to interdisciplinary research in algorithmic matter and bio-inspired systems.

Stefanie TellexView profile

Associate Professor

• Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Artificial Intelligence
• +3 more

Stefanie Tellex is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Brown University. She leads research in Human-Robot Interaction, focusing on enabling robots to understand natural language instructions and collaborate effectively with humans. Her work spans robotics, artificial intelligence, and reinforcement learning, with a strong emphasis on practical applications like teleoperation, task execution, and language grounding. Education : PhD in Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010) MS in Computer Science, MIT (2006) MEng in Computer Science, MIT (2003) BSc in Computer Science, MIT (2002) Research Interests : Her research integrates robotics with natural language processing, emphasizing: Developing systems that interpret complex human instructions Improving robot learning through weak supervision Designing intuitive human-robot collaboration interfaces Advancing reinforcement learning for real-world robotic tasks Publications Trends : Recent work highlights advancements in: - Language-grounded reward functions for robots - Virtual reality frameworks for robot teleoperation (ROS Reality) - Abstract planning techniques for non-Markovian tasks - Hybrid architectures for interpreting multi-granularity instructions. Teaching : CSCI 1410: Artificial Intelligence CSCI 1951R: Introduction to Robotics CSCI 2951K: Topics in Collaborative Robotics Advising & Labs : Advises students on robotics and NLP projects. Active in Brown’s robotics labs focusing on human-robot collaboration and AI-driven systems.

Andrew ErwinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Physical Human-Robot Interaction
• Rehabilitation Robotics
• Bio-inspired Robotics
• +3 more

Dr. Andrew Erwin is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, focusing on robotics, human-robot interaction, and rehabilitation engineering. He holds a PhD and MS from Rice University (2018, 2014) and a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2012). Prior to UC, he was a postdoc at the University of Southern California and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His research explores how forces and movements are executed in healthy individuals, and how robotic devices can assist or restore function post-injury. Key areas include rehabilitation robotics, bio-inspired systems, haptic interfaces, and motor learning. He has received prestigious awards such as the NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowship (2018) and the IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics Best Paper Award (2017). Dr. Erwin’s work integrates biomechanics, control systems, and neurophysiology. His lab develops devices like the SE-AssessWrist for wrist assessment and explores planetary seismometers for space missions. He maintains an active Google Scholar profile with over 25 publications. Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, 2018 MS, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, 2014 BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2012 His current research emphasizes curriculum design for robotics learning, human-robot collaboration, and adaptive control systems. He offers a PhD position for Fall 2025 focusing on these areas.

Matthew HoldenView profile

Associate Professor

• Surgical Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Computer-Assisted Surgery
• +3 more

Matthew Holden is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carleton University. He holds a PhD (2018) and MSc (2014) from Queen's University and a BScH (2012) from Western University. His research focuses on Surgical Data Science, applying machine learning to surgical time-series data from operating rooms and simulations to improve patient outcomes and surgical training. Key areas include real-time decision support, performance assessment, and surgical efficiency through domain-knowledge integration. Research interests emphasize machine learning for surgical workflows, skill assessment via sensor data (e.g., motion tracking, EEG), and computer-assisted interventions. Notable work includes automated proficiency evaluation in cataract surgery, ultrasound-guided procedures, and neurosurgical training. His contributions span medical robotics, surgical education, and clinical decision support systems. Publications highlight advancements in surgical workflow anticipation, tool detection, and skill metrics across domains like ophthalmology, emergency medicine, and neurology. Holden advocates for interdisciplinary approaches combining computational methods with clinical expertise to enhance healthcare delivery.

Huazhen FangView profile

Associate Professor

• Systems and Control
• Advanced Battery Management
• Energy Storage Systems
• +5 more

Huazhen Fang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kansas School of Engineering, where he joined in 2014. He leads the Information & Smart Systems Laboratory (ISSL) and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. His research focuses on enabling intelligence for complex systems through information-driven approaches. Dr. Fang received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego in 2014, following an M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan and a B.Sc. in Computer Science & Technology from Northwestern Polytechnic University in China. He was a Visiting Faculty Fellow at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories in 2022. His research interests span Systems and Control, Advanced Battery Management, Energy Storage Systems, and Robotics, with particular focus on system modeling, estimation, control design, machine learning and numerical optimization. Dr. Fang's work has significant applications in energy management, cooperative robotics, and environmental observing systems. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Army Research Laboratory, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. His extensive publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated integration of physics-based modeling with machine learning approaches, particularly in battery management systems and autonomous vehicle control. Recent work demonstrates a growing emphasis on Bayesian inference methods, distributed control architectures, and safety-critical applications of intelligent control systems. Faculty Early Career Award from National Science Foundation (2019) University Scholarly Achievement Award (2024) Miller Professional Development Award (2022) Miller Faculty Scholar Award (2018, 2019, 2023) Wesley G. Cramer Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Faculty Award (2016) Big XII Faculty Fellowship (2015) IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification Prize Paper Award (2024) Dr. Fang has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through the Information & Smart Systems Laboratory, with many receiving awards for their research. His research has attracted significant funding from prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Army Research Laboratory, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for multiple prestigious journals including Information Sciences, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and IEEE Control Systems Letters. The Information & Smart Systems Laboratory (ISSL) under Dr. Fang's leadership has established itself as a center for cutting-edge research in information-driven smart systems. The lab focuses on pushing the frontiers of information extraction, analysis and exploitation for dynamic systems to deal with system complexity and enable system intelligence. The lab actively collaborates with industry partners and local communities, emphasizing research that serves societal needs.