People
Principal Investigator
![]() | David Braun is Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Engineering with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, he was visiting research with the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Center, postdoctoral research fellow with the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, and assistant professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design. He holds a Ph.D. (06-09) in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt. Dr. Braun's work spans fundamental aspects of dynamics, control, and design of robots. Application areas of interest include data-driven optimal control, novel actuators, and human augmentation technologies. Dr. Braun is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award as well as the IEEE Transactions on Robotics Best Paper Award. |
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Doctoral Students
![]() | Joel (Sung) Kim is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from Rice University in 2019 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received a Dean’s Graduate Fellowship, and will continue his degree as a Russell G. Hamilton Scholar. Research interests: Assistive and augmentation devices, rehabilitation robotics. Future goals: He wants to be a professor to make meaningful contributions in rehabilitation robotics research to help people in need and teach younger students. Personal interests: Hiking, eating, music. Email: sung.kim[@]vanderbilt.edu |
![]() | Tiange (T) Zhang is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. She graduated from the University of Delaware (B.S. MechE 19'), and received Dean's Graduate Fellowship at Vanderbilt to continue her study as a Russell G. Hamilton Scholar. Research interest: Assistive and augmentation devices, rehabilitation robotics, and prosthetics. Future goals: She wants to be a professor/mentor like those who has discovered, inspired, and encouraged her along the way. Personal interests: Traveling, backpacking, sketching. Email: tiange.zhang[@]vanderbilt.edu |
![]() | Chase W. Mathews is a PhD student at Vanderbilt in Mechanical Engineering. He received his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. He received an Engineering Graduate Fellowship from IBM. Research interests: Assistive and augmentation devices, control systems, robotics, biomechanics. Future goals: He wants to develop new technology for the medical device industry. Personal interests: Mountain biking, hiking, cooking, fitness. Email: chase.w.mathews[@]vanderbilt.edu |
![]() | Amanda Sutrisno is a PhD student at Vanderbilt Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Amanda graduated from Engineering Product Development at SUTD(2016) where she specialized in Theoretical Physics/Electrical Engineering. She received the Dean's Graduate Fellowship, and is a Russel G. Hamilton scholar. Research Interests Mechanical Metamaterials, Theoretical modelling of exoskeletons and actuators. Future Goals Amanda would eventually like to work on a startup to develop and market exotic materials and exoskeletons. Personal Interests Boardgames, Fencing Email amanda.s.sutrisno[@]vanderbilt.edu Twitter @AmandaSutrisno9 |
![]() | Cole A. Dempsey is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He received an Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Research Interests Assistive and augmentation devices, biomechatronics, control systems. Future Goals He wants to become a professor to drive the innovation of wearable assistive devices and mentor students interested in the field. Personal Interests Fishing, backpacking, eating, traveling. Email cole.a.dempsey[@]vanderbilt.edu |
![]() | Ali Kilic is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. Research Interests Optimal Control. Walking Robots. Future Goals He wants to pursue an academic career. Personal Interests Guitar. Email ali.u.kilic[@]vanderbilt.edu |
Undergraduate Researchers
![]() | Isabel Peppard is a Research Assistant in the Lab. She is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University studying Mechanical Engineering. Future goals: She wants to expand her technical capabilities in robotics and potentially pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in order to explore the range of opportunities within the field for innovative social impact. Personal interests: Reading, hiking, yoga. Email: isabel.e.peppard@vanderbilt.edu |
![]() | Chey Sirota was an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Research interests: Assistive and augmentation devices. Future goals: He wants to develop new technology in the aerospace or medical industry. Personal Interests: Guitar, drawing, fitness. Email: chey.s.sirota@vanderbilt.edu |