Martin Nisser

Martin Nisser is an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He leads the Programmable Matter Lab, focusing on computational fabrication and assembly platforms for in-space and end-user applications. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science (2024) and an MS in Computer Science (2019) from MIT, an MSc in Robotics, Systems & Control from ETH Zurich (2015), and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering with Renewable Energy from the University of Edinburgh (2013).

Research Interests

• Computational fabrication
• Self-assembly systems
• In-space manufacturing
• Programmable materials
• Modular robotics

Scientific Awards

• Seth J. Teller Award (2023)
• Collier Medal (2023)
• Sweden-America Fellowship (2021)
• Thomas G. Stockham & Bernard Gold Fellowship (2022)
• IMechE Best Student Award (2013)

Outreach & Teaching

• Co-founder of Brave Behind Bars prison education program
• Teaching Assistant at MIT SuperUROP and Engineering Interactive Technologies
• Mentored over 20 students in robotics and fabrication projects