2024 news
Q&A with Provost's Postdoctoral Fellow Michael West Jr.
December 20, 2024
Thrilled to share a Q&A article about my research and journey to Johns Hopkins, recently published by the Johns Hopkins Department of Mechanical Engineering! 🎉 It was a pleasure to reflect on my work so far, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the research community as a postdoc at JHU.
Check out the full article here: Q&A with Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow Michael West Jr.
I traveled to Heidelberg, Germany to present my research at BioRob 2024!
September 08, 2024
Last week, I traveled to Heidelberg, Germany for the 10th IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics. While there, I presented my paper titled “The Study of Dexterous Hand Manipulation: A Synergy-Based Complexity Index” co-authored by Federico Tessari, Maggie Wang, and Neville Hogan. The paper presents and validates a new, unbiased metric to quantify manipulation complexity.
It was a wonderful experience to reconnect with old colleagues and meet some new. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the current state-of-the-art research. Our field is heading in some exciting directions!
I started my post-doc at Johns Hopkins.
August 15, 2024
I am thrilled to be joining the Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) Laboratory under Prof. Jeremy Brown as a post-doctoral trainee at Johns Hopkins University. During my time here, my research will aim to enhance the understanding of haptic feedback during manipulation tasks and use this knowledge to improve robotic rehabilitation technologies.
Caroline and I got married!
July 06, 2024
The #WestDayEver ❤️💍🔒♾️
I was hired as an Assistant Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech!
June 18, 2024
Since the summer of 2017, it has been my goal to become a university professor. Well, I am thrilled to share that that dream is coming true. I will be joining the faculty at Georgia Tech as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering starting in 2027! I greatly look forward to the opportunity to continue to contribute to cutting-edge research and help inspire the next generation of engineers! 🤓👨🏾🏫🦾✊🏿
I visited the Technical University of Munich in Germany to collaborate with the TUM In-Hand Lab!
June 12, 2024
Check out this article by MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE) commenting on my recent experience conducting research in Munich at the Technical University of Munich: Check out the article here: https://meche.mit.edu/news-media/meche-researchers-pioneer-human-motor-control-theory-through-global-collaboration-tu
A huge thanks to the TUM Global Fund for making this collaboration possible. It was a pleasure working with such an international group, including Federico Tessari, Johannes Lachner, Johanna Happold, Patricia Capsi Morales, and Cristina Piazza.
I graduated from MIT with my PhD!
May 29, 2024
After 22 years of school and I’m finally #PhinisheD. I am immensely grateful to the many opportunities that have come my way. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and rooted for me from both near and far; ya’ll are the real MVPs.
Here’s to a long life of learning and sharing that love of learning with others. Professor West coming soon!
I successfully defended my PhD thesis earning me the title of Dr. West!
April 19, 2024
😊 I successfully defended my PhD thesis titled, “All Models Are Wrong, Simple Models Are Insightful: A Study of Human Manipulation.” In it, I delved into the intricate world of human motor control and perception, exploring the role of simple models in unraveling the complexities of upper-limb motor control and hand manipulation.
🙏🏿 None of this would have been possible without the support and guidance of my advisor, Prof. Neville Hogan, my thesis committee, my many mentors, labmates, colleagues, family, friends, and the various organizations that have shaped my academic trajectory. Thank you all!
👏🏿 Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. Your support, encouragement, and belief in my potential have been the driving force behind my success. I am excited to embark on the next chapter in my career! 🚀
I was awarded the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship to fund my postdoctoral appointment at JHU for the 2024-2025 Academic Year!
January 11, 2024
The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship “seek to locate, promote, and nurture the work of outstanding early career postdoctoral scholars at Johns Hopkins University.” The program will prepare participants for faculty positions at Johns Hopkins (or elsewhere), particularly in fields where there are fewer women or members of underrepresented minorities.