Imin Kao is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University and Executive Director of SUNY Korea. He leads the Manufacturing Automation Laboratory (MAL), focusing on robotics, manufacturing automation, and biomedical engineering applications. His research includes dextrous manipulation with soft fingers, wafer manufacturing processes, and intelligent fault detection systems. Kao has over 110 refereed papers and holds multiple industry-funded grants from NSF, DoE, and corporate partners. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (1991) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (1986) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan (1981) Research Interests: His work bridges robotics with biomedical applications, including surgical navigation systems, 3D-printed bone scaffolds, and vibration modeling in manufacturing. He pioneered wiresaw slicing technology for silicon wafer production and developed novel surgical techniques using real-time vision systems. His recent focus includes biomimetic implants and soft-finger robotic manipulation. Awards: SUNY Chancellor’s Award of Excellence in Teaching Student Life Award at Stony Brook University Labs & Teams: Directs the Manufacturing Automation Lab (MAL) and oversees SUNY Korea’s academic operations. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on NSF-funded projects involving robotics, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing.





