cv

Please see the PDF for a full list of presentations, publications, invited talks, mentorship, and outreach.

Dr. Michael West Jr - Provost's Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University

  • Dr. West's research, rooted in control theory, advances robotic technologies such as rehabilitation robotics, collaborative robots, prosthetics, and dexterous robots by investigating human motor control, learning, and perception. Combining expertise in controls, robotics, biomechanics, and neuroscience, I develop simple, descriptive motor control models that offer immediate and easily interpretable insight. Introducing novel analysis methods for human motor control and leveraging established approaches on new experimental paradigms, my work consistently uncovers fresh insights on human motor control, learning, and perception.

Education

  • 2020 - 2024
    Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
    • Dissertation Title: All Models are Wrong, Simple Models Provide Insight: A Study of Human Manipulation
    • Advisor: Neville Hogan
  • 2018 - 2020
    M.S., Mechanical Engineering
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
    • Dissertation Title: Towards a non-invasive measurement of human motion, force, and impedance during a complex physical-interaction task: wire-harnessing
    • Advisor: Neville Hogan
  • 2014 - 2018
    B.S., Mechanical Engineering
    Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

Research Experience

  • 2024 - 2027
    Postdoctoral Research Fellow
    Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University
    • Developing and evaluating rehabilitation strategies to mitigate sensorimotor impairments in wrist and hand function.
    • Investigating the development of surgeon visual–haptic acuity during robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, with implications for training and robotic system design.
    • Examining how the nervous system coordinates, or dissociates, motor control and motor prediction during sensorimotor learning.
    • Mentoring and advising PhD, master’s, undergraduate, and high school students on research methodologies, experimental design, and career development.
  • 2018 - 2024
    Graduate Researcher
    Newman Laboratory for Biomechanics & Human Rehabilitation, MIT
    • Explored how kinematic analysis of the human hand can be used to estimate the complexity of a piano score.
    • Collected & analyzed data on human hand manipulation of complex objects & tools.
    • Investigated how humans estimate hidden mechanical properties of another`s limbs simply by observing their motions.
    • Conducted human subject experiment to analyze how humans control force during motion.
  • 2017
    Robotic Design Intern
    Medtronic, North Haven, Connecticut
    • Designed & built the first prototype of an articulating endoscope to interface with a surgical robot, using Creo Parametric 3.0.
    • Implemented the endoscopes controller model using Simuscape 2017.
  • 2016 - 2017
    Undergraduate Research Assistant
    Yale Biomechanics & Control Lab, Yale University
    • Designed & conducted an experiment to validate a geometric theory that estimates limb impedance using joint surface features.
  • 2016
    Design Engineering Student
    Medical Device Design & Innovation, Yale University
    • Designed & built a 125-part saw guide to improve sternotomies & decrease complications stemming from sternal non-union.
  • 2017 - 2018
    Undergraduate Research Assistant
    Social Robotics Laboratory Lab, Yale University
    • Designed & built the interior & exterior components of a social robot’s articulating face to improve infant-robot interaction.

Teaching Experience

  • Spring 2025
    Co-Instructor, 530.343 Design and Analysis of Dynamical Systems
    Johns Hopkins University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
    • Independently developed and delivered a series of structured lectures as part of a required undergraduate course, creating concept-driven lessons that complemented the broader instructional plan.
    • Collaborated with the lead instructor to shape the course’s direction and learning outcomes; co-developed assessments including quizzes, problem sets, and exams aligned with course objectives.
    • Taught core topics such as modeling and analysis of damped and undamped, forced and free vibrations in single and multi-degree-of-freedom linear dynamical systems, as well as introductory concepts in system stability and control.
  • Spring 2021
    Teaching Assistant, 2.183J/4 Biomechanics & Neural Control of Movement
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering
    • Assisted students in understanding homework & lecture material via weekly office hours.
    • Helped organize the course & develop lessons based on the courses teaching topics.
    • Orchestrated a course designed for upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students. It was comprised of 7 undergraduate & 15 graduate students.
    • Presented students with a quantitative description of how biomechanical & neural factors interact in human sensory-motor behavior. Topics included a review of relevant neural, muscular & skeletal physiology, neural feedback & "equilibrium-point" theories, co-contraction strategies, impedance control, kinematic redundancy, optimization, intermittency, contact tasks & tool-use.
  • Fall 2020
    Teaching Assistant, 2.151 Advanced System Dynamics & Control
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering
    • Independently led students in weekly problem-solving based lectures.
    • Helped organize the course & develop lessons based on the courses teaching topics.
    • Support a course designed for graduate students. It was comprised of 30 graduate students.
    • Educated topics including analytical descriptions of state-determined dynamic physical systems, time & frequency domain representations, system characteristics, & modification of system characteristics using feedback.

Honors and Awards

  • 2025
    • Johns Hopkins University Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPF) ($97,475)
  • 2024
    • Johns Hopkins University Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPF) ($100,880)
    • Office of Graduate Education Service Award, MIT Recognizing Individuals Supporting Equity (RISE) Awards
    • Shirley Anne Jackson Award, MIT Ebony Affair
      • Presented to the black graduate student who exemplifies the spirit of trailblazing leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to breaking barriers in their field of study.
  • 2023
    • 12th Place (out of 300+ Submissions) Best Poster Competition, Rehab Week
    • Accenture Fellowship ($98,349)
    • MIT Mechanical Engineering Research Exhibition (MERE), Honorable Mention Best Overall Performance ($125)
    • Black Alumni of MIT (BAMIT) Research SLAM, 2nd Place ($500)
  • 2022
    • Takeda Fellowship ($94,789)
  • 2021
    • Ben Gold Fellowship ($90,932.76)
  • 2020
    • Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) Excellence in Research Award, MIT Ebony Affair
    • Ford Foundation Fellowship ($81,000)
    • GEM University Associate Fellowship
  • 2018
    • GEM University Associate Fellowship
    • Ford Foundation Fellowship Honorable Mention
    • UCEM SLOAN Scholar, MIT
    • OGE Diversity Fellowship, MIT
  • 2017
    • Student Design Showcase, 3rd Place, Design of Medical Devices Conference