UC REGENTS - Key Persons
Amber Young is a mechanical engineering MS/PhD student in the Embodied Dexterity Group. Her research interests include locomotion biomechanics and bio-inspired robotics.
Apart from her academic pursuits, Amber is dedicated to breaking down the barriers faced by underrepresented students in accessing quality education. She contributes to this goal by volunteering with Women+ of Color Project, Cientifico Latino, and the Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students at UC Berkeley. Amber is also involved in undergraduate admissions at Yale University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Physics in 2021. Additionally, Amber is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her passion for exploring the Bay Area keeps her busy outside of work, as she is always seeking new experiences (via her multiple bucket lists)!
Andrew is a graduate student in EDG researching robotic ice anchoring, funded by the NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity. He grew up in Arroyo Grande, California, and graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, including a multiple semester co-op at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His interests within robotics include mechanism design, controls, and space exploration. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing the accordion, exploring the city, and listening to Shakira.
Dr. Hannah Stuart is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering at the George Washington University in 2011, and her MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanics of physical interaction in order to better design systems for dexterous manipulation. Applications range from remote robotics to assistive orthotics. Recent awards include the NSF CAREER grant, NASA Early Career Faculty grant, Hellman Fellows Fund grant, and Johnson & Johnson Women in STEM2D grant. She is a Senior Member of IEEE, and received a service award from the IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters for "Outstanding Reviewer."
Erin is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University and spent time exploring a variety of research fields prior to starting graduate school. Her current research interests include assistive technology and robotic systems for augmenting human ability. She aims to study ways to improve activities of daily living in populations with limited mobility. Outside of the lab, she can often be found on a soccer field, skiing in the mountains, behind a camera, or with her head down over a crossword puzzle.
Erin is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow.
Job Titles:
- Masters of Science / the Robustness of Tether Friction in Non - Idealized Terrains / 2023
Michael received his B.S. in 2012 from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently an M.S./Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering department at UC Berkeley and has been working in the Embodied Dexterity Group since 2018. He is researching the role of haptic feedback in the control of dexterous manipulators, especially in upper-limb prostheses and other wearable systems. Previously, he has worked on an assistive walking device for individuals with cerebral palsy and on a robotic spine for a humanoid robot. In his free time, he enjoys making music, training muay thai and jiu-jitsu, and spending time in the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Masters of Science / Examining Tenodesis Grasp and Designing an Acceleration Based Control Method for a Hand Orthosis / 2021
Sebastian received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC San Diego, and started as a M.S./Ph.D. student in EDG the Fall of 2019. His previous experience includes internship work at aerospace and automotive industries as well as research work in bioinspired design/robotics. With a continued interest in bioinspiration, Sebastian wants to explore how nature solves the problems in realizing dexterity and mobility. Eventually, he wants to connect his research by applying new designs to extreme environments, i.e. space and deep-sea exploration. When he's not working, he enjoys playing volleyball and ping pong, jamming out, or learning something new. Next on the bucket list is learning how to sail and snowboard.
Wilson received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Stanford University in Chemical Engineering and Biology, respectively, and a second Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley in the Embodied Dexterity Group. His research interests include assistive technology, wearable devices, and upper limb augmentation, especially for underrepresented populations. Some of his previous projects comprise of a mechatronic infant gym for the early detection of developmental delays, development of a sensorized hernia model to train surgeons with the Da Vinci Surgical Robot, and an assessment of older adult's feelings towards robotic assistance during daily tasks. Outside of lab he enjoys martial arts and has practiced Muay Thai and Eskrima.