People

Daniel Drew is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Before joining the U, he was a postdoctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University working with Prof. Sean Follmer. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley with Prof. Kris Pister and his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the development of autonomous insect-scale systems, bridging the worlds of robotics, microsystems, and design. Daniel has received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, and Best Paper Award Honorable Mentions at the ACM CHI and IEEE MARSS conferences. In his free time he enjoys reading (fiction), learning to play guitar (it's going okay), hiking and backpacking (less than he used to), and playing videogames (more than he should).

Luke is a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Utah. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Utah in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis on product development and design of microsystems. His research interests include fluid mechanics, simulation/design, and the development of flying autonomous microsystems. He enjoys learning memory techniques, studying personal development, and playing with his kids.

Samuel is a Ph.D. student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Physics, with a specialization in math and computer science. His research interests include the development of robotic and electromechanical systems, autonomous navigation within unstructured environments, novel actuation methods, and electromagnetism. Outside of school, his hobbies include playing video games, drawing, playing the kalimba, hiking, and working on miscellaneous electronics projects.

Nick is an M.S. student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Nick’s research interests include PCB design, embedded systems design, and robot control. In his free time, he is usually playing video games, playing bass guitar, or watching college football. Nick also loves to try new foods, listen to music, and explore new places.

Will is working to graduate with his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah in May of 2022. He is planning to enroll in the University of Utah’s Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering this Fall. Will’s research interests include electro mechanical control, system dynamics, and novel actuation. Outside of school his hobbies include: mountain biking, any kind of music, travel, learning the guitar (going very poorly), reading, and supporting every restaurant he’s financially able to patron. Discussions regarding the U’s football team and/or amateur analysis of the Utah Jazz are welcomed via email.

Grant is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Utah majoring in computer science with a physics minor. He has diverse interests, from history, philosophy, and writing to deep reinforcement learning, neuroscience, and developmental robotics. In the Drew Research Lab, his projects focus on the effects of close surface proximity on small-scale electroaerodynamic thruster arrays. At the same time, he is pursuing novel machine learning and locally optimal/greedily selective approaches to scheduling satellite observations in Space Domain Awareness. In graduate school, Grant aims to study the emergence of consciousness within robotic systems. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and spending time with his friends.

Quinna is an undergraduate Electrical Engineering major at the U of U with plans to minor in Math or Computer Science. She loves working in the Drew Research Lab as it allows her to explore her interests in multidisciplinary research. Her research interests include MEMS, system optimization, and sustainability. Currently, she is unsure of whether to reach for a Ph.D., Master’s, or just industry work, but she is excited to search out what the future holds for her! She avidly enjoys working alongside fellow nerds such as herself and the DRL team. Quinna aspires to design and improve electronics and technological systems to create a more sustainable and equitable future. She loves meeting new people and socializing with a wide variety of folks. In the wild, you may find her drinking coffee/boba with friends, accompanying people around campus, playing billiards, or satisfying her detrimental sweet tooth.

Nichols is a Utah native from Orem in his second year at the U. Nichols research interests are in AI and Robotics, working towards social robots and robust intelligence. He enjoys skiing, math, making things, and Just Dance 2.

We're always looking for exceptional students!

Current students at the U: Email Dr. Drew!

Prospective students: Apply for graduate school! And email Dr. Drew with application materials and introduction.

We're always looking for exceptional students!

Current students at the U: Email Dr. Drew!

Prospective students: Apply for graduate school! And email Dr. Drew with application materials and introduction.