معرفی
Floris van Breugel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), within the College of Engineering. His interdisciplinary research focuses on studying insects to develop bio-inspired robotics and control systems. The lab employs advanced techniques like real-time tracking, high-speed video, and virtual reality to analyze animal behavior, then applies machine learning and control theory to translate these insights into robotic systems. Key areas include multi-sensory integration in insects, odor plume tracking, and vision-based navigation.
Education: PhD in Control and Dynamical Systems from Caltech (2014), supported by NSF and Hertz fellowships. Postdoctoral research at University of Washington with Jeff Riffell and J Nathan Kutz under Sackler and Moore-Sloan-WRF fellowships. Joined UNR in 2019 and received a Sloan Fellowship in Neuroscience (2020).
Research Interests: Robotics, biomechanics, machine learning, neuroscience, ecology, and data science. The lab integrates engineering principles with biological insights to create robust robotic control systems, emphasizing sensory integration and environmental adaptation.
Awards:
- Sloan Fellowship in Neuroscience (2020)
- Sackler Fellowship in Biophysics
- Moore-Sloan-WRF Fellowship in Data Science
- NSF and Hertz Graduate Fellowships
Advising & Grants: Actively hiring PhD students and undergraduates in data-driven robotics, multi-sensory integration, and bio-inspired systems. Lab activities include collaborative projects with ecologists and neuroscientists to study insect behavior in natural environments.
Labs & Teams: Leads the Van Breugel Lab at UNR, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, biology, and data science. The lab's work spans from fundamental neuroscience to applied robotics, with a focus on Reno's growing tech and outdoor innovation ecosystem.
