Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Adam Khalifa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Florida. His research focuses on low-power analog/RF/Mixed-mode ASIC design, miniaturization of biomedical devices, wireless powering solutions, and neural stimulation/recording techniques in animal models. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and degrees from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His work emphasizes implant packaging, electrode microfabrication, and coil design for medical applications. Key research areas include developing energy-efficient wireless systems for implanted devices, such as magnetoelectric antennas and galvanic body-coupled powering. He has pioneered advancements in miniaturized implantable devices, including the 'Microbead' stimulator. His NIH T32 Fellowship (2019) and Ferdinand H. Fellowship (2018) reflect his impactful contributions. Publications highlight innovations in wireless power transfer, metamaterials for biomedical implants, and injectable microdevice fabrication. His work spans from circuit-level modeling to in vivo validation, emphasizing both technical and biological integration challenges. Collaborative efforts address challenges like implant migration tracking via MRI and energy harvesting for battery-free systems.
Isuru Godage is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University's College of Engineering. He holds affiliated faculty positions in Mechanical Engineering and Multidisciplinary Engineering. His work focuses on advanced robotics systems, particularly soft robots, continuum arms, and their applications in surgery and blockchain-based collaboration. He earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2007), and a Ph.D. in Robotics, Cognition, and Interaction Technologies from the University of Genova – Italian Institute of Technology, Italy (2013). Research Interests: Soft robots and continuum robots Modular robotic systems MRI-compatible surgical robotics for intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation Motion planning and control of underactuated systems Blockchain-enabled trustless collaboration between humans and robots His publications emphasize dynamic control of soft robotic arms, kinematic modeling of continuum systems, and bio-inspired designs for medical and industrial applications. Recent work explores locomotion strategies for soft quadrupeds and snake-like robots, alongside innovations in decentralized robotic data frameworks. Dr. Godage has secured grants such as the NSF CAREER Award (2021) focused on transformable soft robots and collaborative projects with the National Robotics Initiative (NRI). His research bridges robotics mechanics, control theory, and emerging technologies like blockchain for swarm robotics.
Dr. Joanna Deaton Bertram is an Assistant Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. She concurrently holds an Assistant Professor appointment in Surgery, underscoring her interdisciplinary commitment to advancing medical robotics. Dr. Bertram leads a research laboratory devoted to the design, modeling, and control of robotic systems for surgical and interventional applications, working closely with Duke’s clinical and engineering communities. Education Ph.D. in Robotics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018 Research Interests Dr. Bertram’s research program is centered on medical robotics , with particular emphasis on continuum robotics and image-guided interventions . Her work integrates novel mechanical design with advanced control algorithms and smart materials to create robotic systems capable of navigating complex anatomical pathways. A hallmark of her approach is the incorporation of real-time fiber-optic shape and force sensing (using Fiber Bragg Grating technology) to provide surgeons with unprecedented feedback during procedures. Application domains include steerable needles for brachytherapy , robotic guidewires for endovascular surgery , and pediatric neuroendoscopy . Publication Themes Across more than fifteen peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Bertram has systematically advanced the state of the art in surgical robotics , fiber-optic sensing , and robotic system modeling . Her 2024 tutorial on Nitinol and Tungsten tendon attachment techniques provides practical guidance for building highly articulated continuum robots, while her 2023 series on the COAST guidewire robot demonstrates model-based design and simultaneous shape/force sensing for large-deflection medical devices. Earlier work explored 3D-printed patient-specific robotic tools and carbon-nanotube flexible sensors, illustrating a trajectory from fundamental sensor research to full robotic system integration. Scientific Recognition & Collaboration Although no major external awards are explicitly listed, Dr. Bertram’s publications in top-tier venues such as IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters , IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics , and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics attest to strong peer recognition. She actively invites motivated graduate students, post-docs, and research staff to join her lab, fostering an open and interdisciplinary environment. Advising & Grants Dr. Bertram’s lab is presently recruiting trainees at all levels. While specific funded grants are not enumerated, her dual departmental appointments and extensive publication record suggest active federal or foundation support. Prospective students and collaborators are encouraged to contact her directly at joanna.d.bertram@duke.edu . Laboratory & Teams Dr. Bertram directs a laboratory within Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering that collaborates closely with clinicians in the School of Medicine. The group focuses on rapid prototyping of medical devices, in-vitro and ex-vivo validation, and translation of robotic technologies to the operating room.
Benoit Rosa is currently a CNRS Researcher within the Robotics, Data science, and Healthcare technologies Team at the ICube Laboratory, University of Strasbourg. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Pediatric Cardiac Bioengineering Lab, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School (2015-2016), and a postdoctoral fellow in the Robot Assisted Surgery group at the Mechanical Engineering department of KU Leuven, Belgium (2013-2015). He received his Ph.D. in 2013 from Pierre & Marie Curie University (now Sorbonne University) under the supervision of Pr. Guillaume Morel and Pr. Jerome Szewczyk. His PhD was awarded the best PhD thesis award by the CNRS research group on robotics for 2013. Prior to his PhD, he obtained an Engineering Degree (equivalent to a Master's) from Ecole Centrale Paris. Rosa's research focuses on surgical robotics and image-guided control, with particular expertise in the design and control of miniature, distally-actuated and flexible systems for minimally invasive surgery. His work spans from mechatronic design of minimally invasive surgical devices to advanced control algorithms for surgical robots. Key areas include continuum robotics, visual servo control, surgical tool segmentation, and OCT-guided interventions. His research has significant applications in cardiac surgery, endomicroscopy, and various minimally invasive procedures, with a strong emphasis on translating theoretical robotics into practical clinical solutions. His recent publications demonstrate a growing trend toward applying deep learning techniques to enhance surgical robotics, with focus on autonomous systems that improve precision and reduce surgeon cognitive load while addressing challenges in medical imaging and surgical navigation. Scientific Awards: Best PhD thesis award by the CNRS research group on robotics (2013) Rosa has led multiple significant research projects including Image-based tracking of continuum robots (ongoing), Robot-assisted endomicroscopy (2010-2013), Beating heart intracardiac cardioscopy-guided interventions (2015-2019), and Intuitive control of active catheters (2014-2015). His work has resulted in numerous patents and collaborations with leading medical institutions worldwide, securing research funding for advancing surgical robotics technology. He actively participates in the academic community through invited talks and workshops, and maintains strong collaborations with institutions including Harvard Medical School, KU Leuven, and various French research entities, bridging theoretical robotics with practical clinical applications across multiple medical specialties.
Giulio Dagnino is Associate Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics at the University of Twente and concurrently holds an appointment at the Digital Society Institute. His research integrates medical robotics, real-time perception and haptics to create MR-compatible platforms for endovascular surgery, earning an h-index of 17 and 971+ citations. Education & Career: PhD (details not specified in source) leading to faculty appointment at University of Twente. Promoted to Associate Professor with cross-appointments in Robotics & Mechatronics and Digital Society Institute. Research Interests: Prof. Dagnino’s core interest is medical robotic systems that can operate safely inside an MRI scanner. His work spans haptic guidance, real-time computer vision, soft robotic actuation, synthetic data generation and surgical simulation. By combining ferrofluid actuation, electromagnetic tracking and deep-learning-based scene understanding, he aims to reduce ionizing radiation exposure, enhance navigation accuracy and shorten procedure times for minimally invasive endovascular interventions. Publications Trend: Across 44 outputs (2010-2025) the portfolio reveals a clear evolution from early vision-based microsurgery and fracture-robot systems (2010-2016) toward holistic endovascular platforms integrating MR guidance, haptics and autonomy. Recent 2024-25 papers cluster around (i) synthetic data & scene understanding for surgical AI, (ii) MR-safe robot design and tracking, and (iii) translational studies bringing CathBot and related platforms closer to clinical use. Scientific Awards: Best Design Award – Hamlyn Symposium 2019 (with team) Best Innovation Award – ICRA 2018 Best Paper Award – CURAC 2019 IEEE ICRA Best Paper Award in Medical Robotics – 2016 Grants & Projects: Although explicit grant numbers are not listed, the continuous outputs, patents, multi-institutional collaborations (UK, Germany, Estonia, Canada) and press releases imply sustained funding from EU, Dutch and UK research councils as well as industrial partnerships. Labs & Teams: He leads activities within the Robotics and Mechatronics group at University of Twente, collaborates closely with the Digital Society Institute, and maintains international partnerships visible in co-authored papers with Imperial College London, University of Leeds, and several European hospitals.
Eric Barth is Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering. He serves as Director of the C* Control laboratory (also known as the Laboratory for the Design and Control of Energetic Systems) and is affiliated with the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE), an interdisciplinary entity bringing engineers and physicians together to impact healthcare. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology B.S. in Engineering Physics from University of California - Berkeley Professor Barth's research focuses on dynamic systems and control with applications spanning multiple domains. His primary interests include the design, modeling and control of mechatronic and fluid power systems, free-piston internal combustion and free-piston Stirling engines, energy storage and harvesting systems, and MRI compatible pneumatic robots for medical applications. His work applies a system dynamics and control perspective to problems involving the control and transduction of energy, encompassing multi-physics modeling, control methodologies formulation, and model-based design. His recent publications reveal a strong trajectory connecting mechanical engineering principles with medical applications, particularly in neurosurgery. The research spans energy systems (especially Stirling engines and novel energy storage approaches) and advanced medical robotics for MRI-guided interventions. This dual focus demonstrates his ability to bridge theoretical control systems with practical applications in both energy and healthcare domains. Professor Barth actively advises several doctoral students including David Comber, Joshua J Cummins, Alexander V. Pedchenko, and E. Bryn Pitt. His research is supported by significant funding, notably from the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, an NSF Engineering Research Center. The C* Control laboratory he directs occupies approximately 1000 square feet and contains specialized equipment including an 8-camera high-bandwidth optical tracking system, mechanical breadboard tables, pneumatic equipment with high-bandwidth servo-valves, specialized pressure sensors, a thermographic camera, high-speed video equipment, 3D printers, and a 2D laser cutter. Computational facilities include a network of approximately 20 machines running MATLAB/Simulink and SolidWorks, with access to additional CNC machining resources through the School of Engineering and the University.
Dr. Mihailo Ristic is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a First Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University College London (1981), an M.Sc. in Control Systems (Imperial College London, 1982), and a Ph.D. in Robotics (Imperial College London, 1986). His research spans control systems, CAD/CAM, robotics, and medical engineering, with recent focus on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems and mechatronic devices for clinical applications. Dr. Ristic is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He co-founded Turbo Power Systems, specializing in high-speed electric machines and power electronics. His work integrates robotics, medical imaging, and advanced manufacturing, addressing challenges in distributed power generation and biomedical device design. Key projects include novel MRI magnet configurations, intraoperative MRI tools, and robotic systems for MRI-guided interventions. Education: B.Sc. (First Class Honours) Mechanical Engineering, University College London (1981) M.Sc. Control Systems, Imperial College London (1982) Ph.D. Robotics, Imperial College London (1986) Affiliations: Robotics Forum CAD/CAM Research Group Mecheatronics in Medicine His research interests include medical engineering innovations, such as MRI system design, collagen fiber analysis, and robotic-assisted surgery. He has contributed to over 50 publications in journals and conferences, focusing on imaging technologies, robotics, and mechatronics. His work bridges academic research and industrial applications, particularly in energy systems and biomedical devices. Dr. Ristic’s awards include the Fellowship of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. His grants and projects involve collaborations with industry partners to advance MRI hardware, teleoperated surgical systems, and energy-efficient power solutions.
Dr. Richard K. Gurgel is a Professor of Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of Utah, with adjunct appointments in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Neurosurgery. He serves as Section Chief of Otology and Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the University of Utah, and at the Salt Lake Veteran’s Hospital for veteran care. His clinical expertise spans neurotology, vestibular schwannomas, glomus tumors, cochlear implantation, and facial nerve disorders. Education: B.A. in Biology (magna cum laude, University of Utah), M.D. (University of Utah), MSCI (Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, University of Utah), Residency (Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa), Fellowship (Otology, Neurotology, Stanford University). Dr. Gurgel’s research focuses on the interplay between hearing loss and cognition in older adults, particularly how cochlear implants can improve cognitive function. His work also addresses surgical outcomes for skull base lesions, robotic-assisted cochlear implantation, and public health implications of hearing metrics. His recent publications highlight multinational analyses of temporal bone fractures, conductive hearing loss-dementia associations, and advancements in cochlear implantation techniques. Articles emphasize hearing preservation, facial nerve outcomes, and standardized reporting in clinical trials. Scientific Awards: 2025 Dr. Clark Lowe Rich Distinguished Surgeon & Mentor Award, Alpha Omega Alpha honor society (junior), Fellow Teacher of the Year at Stanford (2x). As Fellowship Director for Neurotology at the University of Utah, Dr. Gurgel trains future specialists. His clinical practice integrates teaching, patient care, and research, particularly in NIH-funded studies on hearing-cognition links. He is fluent in Cebuano and Waray-Waray (Filipino dialects) and balances family life with five daughters.
Christopher Julius Nycz is an Adjunct Teaching Professor in the Graduate & Professional Studies program and an Assistant Research Professor affiliated with the Robotics Engineering department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He is also part of the PracticePoint center, which focuses on healthcare cyber-physical systems. His roles include managing industry-academia projects in biomechatronics, image-guided therapy, smart-home environments, and surgical robotics. Dr. Nycz holds a PhD and MS in Robotics Engineering from WPI (2018 and 2016) and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University (2013). His research emphasizes wearable robotics for restoring hand function in individuals with neurological impairments, patient-centric design of assistive devices, and MRI-guided robotic systems for cancer diagnosis/treatment. His research interests span wearable assistive/rehabilitative robotics , image-guided surgery , skeletal biomechanics , and MRI-compatible robotics . Notable projects include the HOPE hand exoskeleton and MRI-guided neurosurgery robots. He collaborates with institutions like Albany Medical College and companies like Boston Scientific. His scholarly work combines biomechanical innovation with clinical needs, evidenced by publications on exoskeleton design criteria, MRI-compatible actuators, and robotic systems for vascular tissue assembly. He holds patents for assistive technologies like the HOPE hand exoskeleton. Dr. Nycz’s lab focuses on translating engineering solutions into clinical applications, emphasizing human-centered design principles and cross-disciplinary collaboration between robotics, medicine, and healthcare systems.
Pierre Renaud is a Professor at INSA Strasbourg and Deputy Director of the ICube laboratory, specializing in Medical and Surgical Robotics, Mechatronics, and Additive Manufacturing. His research focuses on developing advanced robotic systems for healthcare applications, including surgical robots, compliant mechanisms, and MRI-compatible devices. He leads projects such as SPIRIT (multi-material additive manufacturing for medical robotics) and contributes to national initiatives like TIRREX and LABEX CAMI. Education: PhD in Mechanics from Université Clermont-Auvergne (2003), M.Sc. from ENS Cachan (1998), and Agrégation in Mechanical Engineering (1999). Visiting Associate Professor at Stanford University (2010–2011) as a Fulbright Fellow. Research Themes: Mechatronics for medical robotics, compliant systems, additive manufacturing integration, and tensegrity-based robots. Collaborates with IHU Strasbourg for surgical technology development and Axilum Robotics for industrial applications. Key Projects: Robotic assistance for interventional radiology, magnetic elastography, and beating heart surgery. Active in international collaborations (e.g., ANR, H2020 ITN ATLAS). Labs/Teams: Head of the Robotics, Data Science, and Healthcare Technologies group at ICube. Engaged in Equipex IRIS and ROBOTEX platforms for robotic innovation.
Dr Aleksandar Zivanovic is a Tutor at Middlesex University London , affiliated with the Science & Engineering Labs . His work spans robotics, biomedical engineering, product design, and human-computer interaction , with a focus on educational innovation and medical applications. Research Areas : Robotics, MRI-Compatible Systems, Neurorehabilitation, Design Pedagogy Collaborations : Moritz Waldemeyer (2015), Dr. D. Jedwab (2015, 2010), Dr. Z. Tse (2008, 2010), Dr. H. Elhawary (2006-2015) Recent Publications (2008-2015) highlight his work in MRI-guided surgical robotics, haptics for autism therapy, and robotics education. Key trends include cross-disciplinary design , interactive art-technology , and medical robotics innovation . Scientific Awards : None listed in provided data. Teaching : Leads undergraduate product design initiatives, integrating robotics and engineering principles. Collaborated with industry designers like Moritz Waldemeyer (2015). Labs : Works in Science & Engineering Labs on MRI-compatible robotics and sensory interfaces for neurorehabilitation.
Gregory S. Fischer is the William Smith Dean's Professor of Robotics Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), with appointments in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical & Computer Engineering. He leads the Automation and Interventional Medicine (AIM) Robotics Research Laboratory and directs the PracticePoint R&D Center for healthcare cyber-physical systems. His research focuses on medical robotics, MRI-compatible systems, and computer-integrated surgery. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2008. Key contributions include MRI-guided robotic systems for prostate biopsy, wearable exoskeletons for rehabilitation, and sensor-actuator technologies for closed-loop surgical interventions. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2008), Johns Hopkins University MSE in Electrical Engineering (2003), Johns Hopkins University BS in Mechanical Engineering & BS in Electrical Engineering (2002), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Research Interests: Fischer’s work spans medical robotics, MRI-compatible mechatronics, image-guided surgery, and wearable assistive devices. His AIM Lab develops technologies to integrate real-time medical imaging with surgical procedures, emphasizing closed-loop systems. Notable projects include robotic systems for MRI-guided prostate biopsy and ultrasonic actuator designs for MRI environments. Publications: Recent work includes advancements in needle deflection compensation, markerless pose tracking for suturing, and clinical evaluation of robotic biopsy systems. His research often bridges robotics and clinical applications, with a focus on improving surgical accuracy and patient outcomes. Awards & Honors: William Smith Dean’s Professor (2017) Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors (2019) Grants & Labs: Fischer directs the AIM Lab and PracticePoint, involving collaborations with hospitals and industry. His labs focus on translational research, with projects funded by NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships. Current efforts include MRI-compatible robotics, robotic-assisted thermal therapy, and neurosurgical navigation systems.
Dennis L. Parker is a Professor in the Departments of Radiology & Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Informatics at the University of Utah. He serves as the Mark H. Huntsman Endowed Professor and founded the Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research (UCAR), directing it from 2003–2016. His work focuses on the mathematics and physics of medical imaging , particularly MRI and MR-guided thermal therapies . Education: PhD in Medical Biophysics and Computing (University of Utah), MS in Physics (Brigham Young University), BS in Physics (Brigham Young University) Dr. Parker has pioneered MRI thermometry for thermal therapy guidance, MR angiography techniques (MOTSA), and carotid plaque analysis using diffusion-weighted MRI. His research integrates acoustic radiation force , shear wave elastography , and focused ultrasound for non-invasive interventions. Recent publications emphasize dynamic T1/T2* mapping , skull microstructure modeling , and AI-driven tissue property estimation . His work has been funded by NIH R01 grants and VA Merit Awards . Scientific Recognition: Distinguished Research Award, University of Utah (2000) Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering (2008) Fellow, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (2015) He has mentored over 80 trainees , many of whom now hold academic positions. His Neurovascular Imaging Group develops non-invasive MRI methods to replace risky X-ray angiography, advancing global standards in vessel wall imaging and atherosclerosis detection .
J. Rock Hadley is a researcher in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah , specializing in Advanced MRI Imaging and Custom RF Coil Design . His work focuses on Image-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy , Neurovascular Imaging , and Breast-Specific MRI Devices . Education: PhD, University of Utah ME, University of Utah BS, University of Utah Hadley's research spans MRI Technology Development , including RF Coil Design , Gradient Coil Systems , and Image-Guided Robotic Procedures . His recent work emphasizes Transcranial MRgHIFU , Carotid Artery Imaging , and High-SNR MRI Coils for organs like the Pituitary Gland and Optic Nerve . The 15 most recent publications highlight his contributions to 3T MRI Systems , MR Thermometry , and Phased Array Coil Decoupling . Articles from 2025–2020 demonstrate sustained innovation in Medical Robotics , Breast Imaging , and Neurovascular MRI . Hadley holds a patent for an Anatomical Positioning System (2009) and has collaborated extensively in Carotid Bifurcation Studies and Optic Nerve Imaging . His work is supported by grants and partnerships with institutions like the Coil Lab at the University of Utah.
