Trainees

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.
William Babincsak
MS Student, Robotics Engineering
wbabincsak@wpi.edu
I research bio-inspired algorithms for dynamic mission planning in multi-agent teams that require synchronous collaboration between agents. 
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 - Trainee
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.
Michael Da Silva
MS Student, Robotics Engineering
mgdasilva@wpi.edu
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. 
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. 
Albert Enyedy
PhD Student, Robotics Engineering
ajenyedy@wpi.edu
My research aims to improve the arm motion control speed of WPI’s Atlas robot by using visual feedback to move towards real-time operation, presenting the opportunity for applications such as showing a humanoid robot how to complete a task via mirroring a human participant’s motions.
Prescious Etinosa
PhD Student, Materials Science and Engineering
poetinosa@wpi.edu
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.
Lorena Maria Genua
PhD Student, Robotics Engineering
lgenua@wpi.edu
My research focuses on modeling Perception-Action Coupling in Manipulation and on the design of visual assisted teleoperation interfaces for tele-nursing robots.
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 - Trainee
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).
Shruti Mahajan
PhD Student. Computer Science
spmahajan@wpi.edu
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) 
Tess Meier, Trainee
Tess Meier
PhD Student, Robotics Engineering
tbmeier@wpi.edu
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. 
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.
Dan Moyer - Trainee
Dan Moyer
PhD Student, Robotics Engineering
dmoyer@wpi.edu
My research aims to develop adaptive controllers that leverage real-world data for online improvement of dynamic models for soft robotic systems during policy learning to reduce the gap between simulation and real-world performance.
Dan Moyer
MS Student, Mechanical Engineering
dmoyer1@wpi.edu
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.
Nicholas Pacheco- Trainee
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 
Currently - Applied Scientist, Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics

My research develops a collaborative robotic platform for metal scrap cutting that leverages worker expertise and increases their efficiency and safety. (personal website)
Shou-Shan Chiang
Graduated December 2024, PhD in Robotics Engineering

My research aims to model and control soft continuum robotic manipulators and improve the user experience of human-robot interaction.
Alicia Howell-Munson (they/them)
Graduated May 2023, PhD in Bioinformatics and 
Computational Biology
Currently - 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
Currently  - Postdoctoral Fellow, The Johns Hopkins University

My research aims to develop intuitive, efficient and ergonomic teleoperation interface for mobile humanoid nursing robots (personal webpage).    
Kenechukwu Churchill Mbanisi
Graduated May 2022, PhD in Robotics Engineering
Currently - 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
smmcgovern@wpi.edu
My research is directed towards improving industrial surface spray coverage planning through systematic kinematic constraint analysis, optimization criteria, and user defined preferences.
Arnold Muralt 
Graduated August 2023, MS in Robotics Engineering 
Currently - 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
Currently - Robotics Instructor, Vinci Robotics Academy

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

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
Currently - 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
Currently - PhD Student 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.