M. Ani Hsieh, research associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, has been named deputy director of the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Laboratory. Dr. Hsieh assumes the role as former deputy director CJ Taylor transitions to his new position, Penn Engineering’s first associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. Hsieh, who began her tenure in the GRASP Lab as a graduate student, is an expert in the control and planning of multi-agent robotic system. She is particularly interested in marine robotic systems and their applications in environmental monitoring.

Though the open ocean is a particularly challenging environment for delicate machinery and electronics, ocean currents and waves can help propel fleets of miniature, autonomous robots and provide data relevant to studying the spread of pollution, climate change, and more.

Dr. Hsieh’s work has been recognized with the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award.