معرفی
Veronica Santos is a Professor and Inclusive Excellence Officer in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Samueli School of Engineering. She serves as Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Affairs, and directs the UCLA Biomechatronics Laboratory. Santos holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, with minors in Biometry and Music.
- Ph.D., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Biometry minor), Cornell University (2007)
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering (Music minor), University of California, Berkeley (1999)
Her research spans robotics, haptics, and human-machine systems, focusing on grasp and manipulation, tactile sensors, prosthetics, and neural control of movement. She integrates machine learning and stochastic modeling with biomechanical studies of hand function, bridging robotics and biomedical applications.
The 15 most recent publications highlight trends in tactile sensing for robotics, granular media interaction, and human-robot collaboration. A significant portion explores neural network applications for tactile perception, tendon-driven actuation systems, and biomimetic sensor design. Many papers address practical challenges in robotic manipulation, including shear force measurement, edge orientation detection, and autonomous learning through reinforcement strategies.
- 2018: Robohub.org '25 women in robotics you need to know about'
- 2018-2019: Defense Science Study Group Selectee
- 2017: UCLA Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Teaching Award
- 2010: NAE Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium Selectee
- 2010: NSF CAREER Award
As director of the UCLA Biomechatronics Lab, she leads multidisciplinary teams developing advanced robotic systems for applications ranging from mine defusal to prosthetics restoration of touch sensation. Her work has received media coverage from ASME, National Geographic, and Nature, and she was featured in a $100M gift to UCLA that underscores private donors' growing role in public universities.
