Role:
Director
Quick Facts:
∎ Developed a two-year program that has guided over 100 students through the process of patenting inventions and publishing research papers.
∎ Secured 1 utility patent, 7 provisional utility patents, and 6 published research papers, with additional projects in progress.
∎ Currently leading a team of educators in designing and facilitating workshops on intellectual property, innovation, design thinking, and engineering.
∎ Mentor students in developing robotics-driven solutions to real-world challenges, ranging from mobility devices to environmental conservation.
The Robolabs Innovation Academy represents a fusion of my deep-seated passion for innovation and my desire to nurture the next generation of inventors. There is a unique thrill in guiding students as they take their nascent ideas—sometimes mere concepts—and shape them into fully realized inventions with real-world applications. I have long been drawn to the intersection of creativity, technology, and problem-solving, and in this role, I have the privilege of watching students embark on this very same journey.
As an educator, there’s something extraordinary about helping young minds approach complex problems, break them down, and ultimately generate solutions that didn’t exist before. The academy has allowed me to build an environment where creativity flourishes, where ideas are challenged and refined, and where innovation is not only encouraged but expected. It is a space that reflects the aspirations I had as a young inventor myself—a space that fosters curiosity, resilience, and the confidence to pursue original solutions in a rapidly evolving world.
The Robotics Innovation Academy is a two-year program designed for high school students who are eager to apply their knowledge and passion for robotics to real-world problem-solving. The program is divided into two tracks:
• Track 1: Patent Inventor Program
A one-year sprint where students identify a problem, brainstorm solutions, and ultimately develop and patent their inventions.
• Track 2: Paper Publication Program
In this second year, students build on their invention journey by developing research questions based on their findings and writing scientific research papers.
Here are some of the notable inventions from the program:
1. R-MAVI (Robotic Medical Assistant Vehicle and Interface)
Patent Number: US-11191597-B1
• Combines transport and patient assessment with built-in sanitization.
• Interfaces with existing medical software for seamless integration in healthcare.
2. E-DITH (Environmental Disposal Intelligent Trash Hub)
Priority App: US63/193000
• Combines machine vision and robotic manipulation for accurate waste sorting.
• Transparent design provides educational value by showing the sorting process.
3. FALCON (Fire Autonomous Location Containment Operating Network)
Priority App: US63/193437
• Combines thermal imaging and automated water delivery for early-stage fire management.
• Operates autonomously while allowing human intervention if needed.
4. OP-SMART (Ocean Plastic Scalable Modular and Autonomous Retrieval Technology)
Priority App: US63/403238
• Leverages existing maritime traffic to scale ocean cleanup efforts.
• Uses air bubble funneling and electromagnetic nets for efficient collection.
5. REST (Robotic Essential Surgical Technologist)
• Focuses on tool management and sterilization, not performing surgeries.
• Reduces human error by handling repetitive, high-risk tasks autonomously.
6. CORALS (Coral Oceanic Restoration Autonomous Lander Submersible)
• Absorbs harmful chemicals and uses acoustic techniques to promote coral health.
• Combines cleaning and environmental monitoring for reef preservation.
7. SHIELD (Sustainable Harvesting and Integrated Efficient Land Defense)
• Integrates multiple farming processes for efficient, sustainable agriculture.
• Precision farming ensures environmental sustainability and reduced labor costs.
8. BALANCE (Biomechanical Assistive Legs with Advanced Navigation and Control Engineering)
• Switches dynamically between walking and wheeled motion based on the environment.
• Collapsible design promotes both recovery and user independence.
