Mark Spong

Mark Spong is a Professor and the Dean of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he holds the Excellence in Education Chair and the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair in Electrical Engineering. His research spans robotics, control systems, and teleoperation, with a strong emphasis on theoretical foundations and practical applications in engineering education and multi-agent systems.

Education:

• D.Sc. in Systems Science and Mathematics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 1981
• M.S. in Systems Science and Mathematics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 1979
• M.S. in Mathematics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 1977
• B.S. in Mathematics and Physics, Hiram College, Hiram, OH, 1975

His research interests include robotics, control systems, adaptive control, bilateral teleoperation, and multi-agent coordination. He has pioneered work in passivity-based control, synchronization of Lagrangian systems, and teleoperation under time delay. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on networked robotic systems, dynamic walking, and energy-based control methodologies, often applied to bipedal robots and mobile formations.

Notable scientific awards include:

• IEEE RAS Pioneer Award (2011)
• John R. Ragazzini Award (2004)
• O. Hugo Schuck Award (2002, 2009)
• Fellow of the IEEE (1996)
• Automatica Best Paper Award (2009)

Spong has advised several students, including Dr. Peter Hokayem, and has led significant educational initiatives through project-based learning in control engineering. He has held leadership roles in the IEEE Control Systems Society, including President (2005) and Vice President for Publication Activities (2000–2002), and has chaired major conferences such as the IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (2010). His work bridges theoretical control theory with real-world robotics applications, fostering innovation in both research and education.

He leads research initiatives in robotics and control at UT Dallas, focusing on student-centered projects such as robotic air hockey and chess, which integrate design, systems integration, sensing, and programming. These efforts reflect his commitment to translating academic knowledge into practical engineering skills.