Team
Principal Investigator
Dr. James Tangorra , PhD
Department Head, Engineering Leadership and Society
Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
Engineering Leadership and Society
Graduate Students
Gabe Carryon, Ph.D. Candidate
How do the sensorimotor circuits of animals control movement? How does sensory feedback modify movement patterns? How do the sensorimotor circuits of animals produce gaits? How can principles of biological control be applied to underwater robotic systems? My research focuses on answering these questions. In particular, my research is focused on developing mathematical models of the neural circuits that control periodic movement, central pattern generators, and using these mathematical models to drive the motion of fish-like fins. Additionally, I am interested in sustainable engineering and renewable energies. I received a B.S. in physics from Howard University in 2008 and a M.S. in electrical engineering from Drexel University in 2011. Outside of the lab I am interested in filmmaking, photography, house music, and cycling.
Anthony P. Mignano, Ph.D. Candidate
Anthony received his B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from Kansas State University and his M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Drexel. He’s currently pursuing a Ph.D. and his research focuses on fin-fin and fin-body interactions and the development of a multi-fin experimental platform that is being used to understand coupled fin and body forces for swimming and maneuvering.
Shraman Kadapa, Ph.D. Candidate
Shraman received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. and his research focus is to investigate computationally the stability, controllability and hydrodynamic forces produced by Sealion during swimming. He also develops computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models on fin-fin interactions to analyze fluid flow and estimate propulsive forces produced during swimming.
Anthony Drago, Ph.D. Candidate
Andy received his B. S. in Mechanical engineering from Drexel University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering from Drexel University. His research focuses on the application of reinforcement learning and other machine learning techniques to develop gait control for aquatic robotic platforms.
Nicholas Marcouiller, Ph.D. Student
Nick started his higher educational career at Brookdale Community College where he received his associate degree in engineering. His education then continued at Drexel University, where he received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and where he is currently pursuing his PhD. Nick’s research is in understanding the locomotive techniques used by the California Sea Lion in and out of the water. To conduct his research, he has developed a robotic sea lion research platform. With this platform he can better understand the dynamic and kinematic principles used by the animal to execute maneuvers such as banked turns in the water and terrestrial movement.
Lauren Garafalo, Ph.D. Student
Lauren received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University in May 2020. She is now pursuing her M.S and PhD at Drexel University. Her current research involves the application of machine learning algorithms to improve the current analysis of Philadelphia gun violence data.
Lab Alumni
- Deeksha Seth , PhD. (Assistant Teaching Professor at Villanova University)
- Maxwell Painley (Test Engineer at ATI Industrial Automation)
- Jeff Kahn, Jr., PhD.
- Samson Shepherd
- David McDevitt
- Jonah Gottlieb
- James Green
- Mary Milone
- Christopher Phelan
- Christopher Esposito