Peter Abosede MS Student, Robotics Engineering pabosede@wpi.edu Safety is first and key in Aerospace. My research aim is to develop aerial robots to assist humans to effectively carry out maintenance and manufacture of large commercial, military and space-based assets.
Nikita Boguslavskii PhD Student, Robotics Engineering nbboguslavskii@wpi.edu My research interests lie in Human Robot Interaction (HRI) and Human Robot Collaboration (HRC). I am interested in creating innovative solutions that enhance the quality of these interactions, making robots more intuitive and user-friendly.
Josiah Boucher PhD Student, Interactive Media and Game Development jdboucher@wpi.edu My research aims to create practical applications for game design practices in real-world spaces like offices and smart cities while acknowledging the shortcomings of existing gamification practices.
Galen Brown PhD Student, Computer Science gibrown@wpi.edu My research focuses on using real time visual information to improve robot grasping.
Zhun Cheng MS Student, Robotics Engineering zcheng2@wpi.edu I am interested in research to make the bipedal robot walk faster and be more responsive to external disturbances. I am trying to use reinforcement learning to speed up trajectory generation.
Darren Cole PhD Student, Computational Media dacole@wpi.edu As a moving image sound artist, my research explores emerging technology at the intersection of media literacy, ethics, social justice, and community
Gabrielle Conard PhD Student, Robotics Engineering ggconard@wpi.edu My research focuses on the development of biologically-inspired terrestrial robots that can work alongside humans in applications such as space exploration or search and rescue. I am also interested in wearable assistive technology for people with disabilities, such as hearing loss.
Gary DeVilbiss PhD Student, Mechanical & Materials Engineering gadevilbiss@wpi.edu My goal is to design a robotic material that can be used in exoskeletons to assist the with movement and physical rehabilitation. Currently, I am working towards the creation of an electrostatically-actuated microvalve for the control of a pneumatic robotic material.
Shawn Gilles PhD Student, Computer Science sgilles@wpi.edu My research lies at the intersection of brain-computer interfaces and artificial intelligence. I am curious about how the human mind encodes information from real-world stimuli and how we can leverage brain readings with emerging technologies like mixed reality and robotics to improve communication and develop comprehensive brain-adaptive feedback systems.
Robin Hall PhD Student, Robotics Engineering rfhall@wpi.edu My research aims at creating bio-inspired soft robots capable of aiding in environmental monitoring and climate research.
Steven Hyland PhD Student, Robotics Engineering smhyland@wpi.edu My research focuses on collective manipulation of large objects through a robot swarm, led by a human leader. The applications for this research are assistive environments, manufacturing settings, and extraterrestrial exploration.
Timothy Jones PhD Student, Robotics Engineering tvjones@wpi.edu My research focuses on the design, modeling, and control of bio-inspired robots for applications in dynamic and unstructured environments.
Achyuthan Unni Krishnan PhD Student, Robotics Engineering aunnikrishnan@wpi.edu My research aims to develop robot autonomy to reduce the physical and cognitive workload in nursing robot teleoperation (personal website).
Christopher Micek PhD Student, Computer Science cjmicek@wpi.edu My main work explores how implementing a democratic, peer-based "digital jury" moderation system for social media platforms would impact polarization online, compared to traditional, "top-down" moderation that is conducted by employees of the platforms themselves. (personal website )
Milica Miladinovic PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering mmiladinovic@wpi.edu My research is focused on creating SnS2 dispersions and inks, which can be used to create sensors by drop-casting and inkjet printing on both firm and flexible surfaces. In addition, I am working on multilayer printing, which can be used to fabricate crossovers and vias. I am specifically interested in creating SnS2 sensors to improve the human-robot interfacing.
Nicholas Pacheco PhD Student, Robotics Engineering nepacheco@wpi.edu My research is focused on developing a robotic system with a steerable laser fiber that can automate laser-tissue interactions for use in in-office laser surgery.
Alan Pham PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering anpham@wpi.edu I am interested in the design of dynamic soft robotic systems that utilize compliant materials and versatile control methods towards applications in entertainment and human-computer interaction.
Karen Royer PhD Student, Computational Media kmroyer@wpi.edu I research the expert craft practices of underrepresented groups through their reflections to understand how they contribute to the design and implementation of new technologies in ways that produce inclusion rather than exclusion.
Antonio Sanchez MS Student, Robotics Engineering agsanchez@wpi.edu I will be working with Dr. Onal in the Soft Robotics Lab. My research interests involve artificial intelligence and humanoid robots. I’m starting off in soft robotics because I believe it is important for humanoid robots to be able to properly interact with humans without harming them.
Gaayathri Sankar PhD Student, Business School, Innovation with User Experience gsankar@wpi.edu My research is focuses on persona development using Type 2 diabietic patient Electronic Health Record (EHR) data to customize technology design based on risk factors related to health as well as demographics.
Cameron Schloer PhD Student, Robotics Engineering cschloer@wpi.edu My current research lies in the intersection of Human-Robot Interactions and Swarm Robotics and involves effectively enabling multiple humans to work together well with multiple robots in clinical environments.
Neehal Sharrma MS Student, Robotics Engineering nasharrma@wpi.edu As the field of robotics advances, so does the potential for technology to enhance and uplift the human condition. My research focuses on discovering how the concepts of soft robotics can be extended to prostheses, assistive aids, and other applications within the field of human augmentation.
Shilpa Thakur PhD Student, Robotics Engineering sthakur@wpi.edu I am interested in system design of haptic rendering devices and bringing novel approaches to haptic technology. My goal is to work on individual technologies that together would form an immersive and intuitive robot control that provides seamless human-machine interaction.
Zhuoyun Zhong PhD Student Robotics Engineering zzhong3@wpi.edu My research focuses on the development of assisted navigation interfaces for high-mobility nursing robots.
FORW-RD NRT Program Graduates
James Akl
Graduated August 2023, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Research Scientist, Robotics and AI Institute (rai)
My research develops a collaborative robotic platform for metal scrap cutting that leverages worker expertise and increases their efficiency and safety. (personal website)
William Babincsak
Graduated May 2024, MS in Robotics Engineering
Engineering Development Group, MathWorks
I research bio-inspired algorithms for dynamic mission planning in multi-agent teams that require synchronous collaboration between agents.
Shou-Shan Chiang
Graduated December 2024, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Postdoctoral Fellow, Soft Robotics Lab, WPI
My research aims to model and control soft continuum robotic manipulators and improve the user experience of human-robot interaction.
Michael Da Silva
Graduated August 2024, MS in Robotics Engineering
Mechatronics Engineer, Berkshire Grey
My research interests lie at the intersection of biomimicry/biomimetics, soft robotics, and smart materials. The raison d'etre would be to learn principles from birds, animals, and nature and incorporate them into extraterrestrial robotics.
Precious Etinosa
Graduated December 2024, PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Editorial Board of the International Journal of Cancer Cell and Therapy
My research focuses on robotically assisted tissue engineering and regeneration of biological structures: 3D-robotic positioning/printing of multilayer scaffolds for hard and soft tissue regeneration including dentine, enamel and dentine-enamel junction.
Alicia Howell-Munson (they/them)
Graduated May 2023, PhD in Bioinformatics and
Computational Biology
Research Scientist, Neurable
My research aims to create adaptive digital environments that integrates a user's brain signal to improve how robots work in tandem with human partners. I also am interested in how brain signals can be used to improve education environments for STEM and language acquisition.
Tsung-Chi (TC) Lin
Graduated May 2023, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Postdoctoral Fellow, The Johns Hopkins University
My research aims to develop intuitive, efficient and ergonomic teleoperation interface for mobile humanoid nursing robots (personal webpage).
Shruti Mahajan
Graduated May 2024, PhD in Computer Science
Assistant Professor Computer Science, Union College
My research interests lie in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), focusing on designing interactive and playful environments using touch-sensitive fabrics and augmented reality to promote parent-child co-located communication in the home context. (personal website)
Kenechukwu Churchill Mbanisi
Graduated May 2022, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Assistant Professor of Robotics, Olin College of Engineering
My research develops biomechanical modeling of a human driver and analyzes the human factors and interaction dynamics of vehicle maneuver (personal website).
Sean McGovern
Graduated August 2023, PhD in Robotics Engineering
My research is directed towards improving industrial surface spray coverage planning through systematic kinematic constraint analysis, optimization criteria, and user defined preferences.
Tess Meier
Graduated December 2024, PhD in Robotics Engineering
My research interests include assistive and rehabilitative robotics, as well as human movement students and neuroscience. I am currently working on studying brain activation during hand exoskeleton use and exploring the effects of different user control mechanisms on neurorehabilitation.
Dan Moyer
Graduated May 2024, MS in Mechanical Engineering
Quality Engineer, Flexcon Industries
My research interests are focused on wearable technology that can be integrated into a soldier's personal kit to control robots, monitor biological signs, or otherwise improve training.
Arnold Muralt
Graduated August 2023, MS in Robotics Engineering
Robotics Engineer II, Solvus Global
I am working on three projects in tandem, a large pneumatic continuum arm making use of fabric balloons and flexible wavespring structures, a reprogrammable soft actuator based around a silicone core with a semi-rigid exoskeleton, and a set of adaptive grippers making use of the Fin ray effect.
Arvand Navabi
Graduated in May 2022, PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Control Systems lead, C&W Services and Blue Tech Entrepreneur
My research in robot assisted cold spray deposition in additive manufacturing of materials is optimized based on creation of high performance materials, my job is to transfer insight about contact and adhesion of material in the deposition process.
Nicholas Pratt
Graduated December 2023, PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Senior Mechanical Engineer, SI2 Technologies
My research is focused on improving the resolution and reliability of inkjet printing conductive traces to expand the types of devices inkjet printing can be used to manufacture, such as sensors for human interfacing.
Raagini Rameshwar
Graduated August 2023, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Program Manager, Department of Robotics at the Mass Tech Collaborative
My research is focuses on robot arm teleoperation as a demonstration tool in a Learning from Demonstration context, as well as the use of soft robotic technology to provide haptic feedback during teleoperation.
Alp Sahin
Graduated in May 2021, MS in Robotics Engineering
PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Lehigh University
Research Area - Robot Motion Planning
Vanessa Uzonwanne Graduate in May 2022, PhD in Materials Science and Engineering Currently -Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Scientist, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, vouzonwanne@wpi.edu My research focuses on the detection and treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cells by quantifying mechanical biomarkers (adhesion force and viscoelastic properties) and integrating robotics-assisted laser-nanoparticle interaction for localized hyperthermia treatment.