Joel W. Burdick

Joel W. Burdick is the Richard L. and Dorothy M. Hayman Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and a Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He holds a B.S. from Duke University (1981), M.S. from Stanford University (1982), and Ph.D. from Stanford (1988). His academic roles include Executive Officer for Bioengineering (2006–2007) and Hayman Professor (2012–present).

Burdick's research focuses on robotics, kinematics, and control systems with applications in planetary exploration (e.g., Axel/DuAxel rovers), medical robotics (spinal cord therapy), and autonomous systems. His group participates in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge (Team CoSTAR) and develops technologies like the SQUID drone and EELS snake robot.

Teaching includes advanced robotics courses (ME/CDS/EE 234ab) and contributions to control systems education. His work bridges robotics engineering with bioengineering, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like UCLA and JPL.