Tyler H. Summers

Dr. Tyler H. Summers is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), with an affiliate appointment in Electrical Engineering. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin (2010) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at ETH Zurich (2011–2015). His research focuses on feedback control and optimization in complex dynamical networks, including electric power grids and distributed robotics. Key contributions include stochastic optimal power flow methods, distributed formation control algorithms, and robust control design under uncertainty.

• Education:
  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering (University of Texas at Austin, 2010)
  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (University of Texas at Austin, 2007)
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Texas Christian University, 2004)

His research interests emphasize theoretical and computational tools for cyber-physical systems, including power networks and robotic teams. Notable achievements include a NSF CAREER Award ($500K) and an Army YIP grant ($350K). He leads the Control, Optimization, and Networks (COIN) Lab, which develops algorithms for robust control and distributed optimization.

Recent work addresses challenges in integrating renewable energy into power systems and enabling safe autonomous robotics in uncertain environments. Grants and projects involve collaborations with institutions like the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University.

• Grants & Awards:
  • NSF CAREER Award (2021)
  • Army Research Office YIP (2017)
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research (2019)
• Lab & Team: The COIN Lab focuses on interdisciplinary projects involving students and postdocs in control theory, robotics, and optimization.