Barbara Mazzolai (M’06) I am the Associate Director for Robotics and Director of the Bioinspired Soft Robotics Laboratory at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT). I hold a M.Sc. in Biology, an International Master Diploma in Environmental Management and Control, and a Ph.D. in Microsystems Engineering. From 1999 to 2009, I worked as a research assistant and assistant professor at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. In 2009, I joined IIT as Team Leader, and from 2011 to 2021, I served as the Director of the IIT Center for Micro-BioRobotics.

My research centers on bioinspired soft robotics, blending biology and engineering to advance sustainable technologies and scientific knowledge. I am recognized for pioneering the field of plant-inspired robotics and the concept of growing robots. I have acted as the Coordinator for several EU-funded projects in this area, including PLANTOID, GrowBot, and I-SEED. In 2021, I received the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant titled “I-Wood,” which focuses on Forest Intelligence: robotic networks inspired by the Wood Wide Web. I have authored and co-authored more than 260 papers in international journals, books, and conference proceedings.

IEEE ACTIVITIES:

COMMITTEES/BOARDS:

• Member of the Advisory Committee and Steering Committee for the IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)
• Associated Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters

SOCIETY: IEEE and Robotics & Automation Society (RAS)

CONFERENCES:

• General Co-Chair of the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), April 4-8, 2022, Edinburgh, UK
• Workshop Co-Chair for the 2020 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), April 6-9, 2019, Yale University, New Haven, USA
• Interdisciplinary Program Co-Chair for the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)
• Government Forum Co-Chair of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots (IROS), October 9-14, Daejeon, Korea
• Publicity Co-Chair for the 2012 IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), June 24-28, 2012, Rome, Italy

OTHER:

• Plenary Speaker at the 2021 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), April 6-9, 2021, Yale University, New Haven, USA
• Plenary Speaker at the 2017 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (RoBio), December 5-8, 2017, Macau, China
• Keynote Speaker at the 2018 – IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots (IROS), October 4, 2018, Madrid, Spain
• Keynote Speaker at the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), May 24, 2018, Brisbane, Australia
• Workshop organized at the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2018, “Self-healing, growing and evolving soft robots”
• Workshop organized at the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), “Soft-bodied structures in nature and robotics: towards new trends and opportunities”
• RAM Women In Engineering (WIE) Column
• Perspective/position papers for the IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine:
  • Laschi, C., Mazzolai, B., Nosengo, N., Delle Cave, V., Asfour, T., Floreano, D., … & Hauert, S. (2018). The rise of the robots: the European robotics flagship [regional spotlight]. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 25(4), 121-122.
  • Laschi, C., & Mazzolai, B. (2016). Lessons from animals and plants: The symbiosis of morphological computation and soft robotics. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 23(3), 107-114.
  • Mazzolai, B. (2016). Biology for Robotics-A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Researcher’s Life [Women in Engineering]. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 23(1), 114-115.
  • Salvini, P., Teti, G., Spadoni, E., Laschi, C., Mazzolai, B., & Dario, P. (2011). The Robot DustCart. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 18(1), 59-67.

QUALIFICATIONS:

I possess extensive experience in coordinating teams, managing multi-disciplinary and international research projects, and engaging in public speaking engagements.

My diverse background has equipped me with the ability to engage in meaningful discussions and idea exchange with individuals from various fields of expertise and perspectives. I regularly participate in project meetings, strategic discussions within my institutions (involving international colleagues), and collaborate with my research team. I maintain an extensive network of national and international collaborations, which allows me to actively participate in daily discussions.

Throughout my career, I have served on multiple boards responsible for evaluating research project proposals, scientific conferences, and summer schools at both the European and international levels.

As a member of the AdCom, I could leverage my experience and multidisciplinary mindset to contribute to its activities. My expertise spans bioinspired robotics, environmental technologies, biology, and material science. I firmly believe that the Society’s role is pivotal in promoting visionary thinking programs and facilitating the establishment and growth of multidisciplinary communities. These efforts are not only essential for driving new scientific discoveries and the effective implementation of emerging technologies but also for creating fresh career opportunities for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Member of the IEEE RoboSoft Steering Committee: evaluation of the proposals for the organization of the annual conference RoboSoft.
• Associate Director for Robotics at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia: coordination of joint activities among the various research lines of robotics, organization of joint events and exhibitions, coordination for the preparation of joint strategic plans and of periodic scientific evaluation, representative of the robotics pillar at national and international events, contribution to the activities of different internal boards for the risk analysis.
• Member of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Tübingen and Stuttgart, Germany) and of the Max Planck Queensland Centre (MPQC) for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices: periodic evaluation of the research activities, advisory role for the research activities and perspectives of the Institute/Centre.
• Member of the Advisory Committee of the Cluster on Living Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems – livMatS (Freiburg, Germany): periodic evaluation of the research activities, advisory role for the strategic roadmap of the Cluster, participation in the annual international event.
• Member of the International Research and Innovation Advisory Board (IRIAB) of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome (Italy): periodic evaluation of the research activities, advisory role for the strategic roadmap of the institute.

POSITION STATEMENT:

We are confronting a series of global challenges in which robotics and automation play pivotal roles. From humanitarian emergencies to climate change, our technologies have the potential to be truly valuable tools in our hands.

RAS has consistently provided opportunities to assist its members in improving their knowledge and addressing major challenges. Its community is expanding as robotics and automation become increasingly interdisciplinary fields, drawing expertise from diverse areas such as medicine, biology, neuroscience, material science, computer science, environmental science, ethics, psychology. This evolution is evident within RAS through its various Technical Committees and the topics featured in flagship conferences and journals.

This interdisciplinary nature is crucial for the Society’s growth, supporting the development of its members, aiding in the training of young members, and fostering career progression at different stages. I have been an active member of the RAS community, participating in conferences such as ICRA, IROS, BioRob, ICAR, RoBio, RoboSoft, and contributing to society journals like Transactions, RAM, and RAL. In recent years, I have closely followed the field’s transition and development in terms of scientific and technological vision, and I am eager to become more actively involved, leveraging my experience to serve the Society.

If elected as a member of the AdCom, I would shoulder the responsibility of keeping the robotics and automation community on its current positive trajectory and advocating for its continuous growth and expansion. Emphasizing interdisciplinarity, active networking, education at all levels and robust academia-industry relationships are essential for nurturing the training of students, advancing researchers’ careers, and fostering professional relationships.

Utilizing the Society’s channels, such as dedicated events at conferences, columns in magazines, and technical education programs, we can support our members in innovative ways:

• Developing professional profiles for robotics and automation engineers and managers dedicated to human welfare and environment preservation. We must cultivate expertise in designing more sustainable technologies that can alleviate issues related to energy costs, e-waste production, environmental impact, and enhance biodiversity preservation and the acceptability of collaborative and assistive robots.
• Establishing models for technology transfer: maximizing the value of research outcomes and forging stronger links with industry are crucial to provide support and opportunities for students to promote their research and careers and to transfer technological solutions across different fields and levels of society.
• Training people in fostering respect for diversity and equality is vital. The role of robotics and automation will be pivotal in the coming years for comprehending complex societal issues and preparing the younger generations to confront them. RAS can make a substantial contribution to achieving this goal by promoting training courses conducted by scientists and entrepreneurs on topics such as aging, global warming, climate change, precision medicine, agriculture, domestic and workplace human assistance, minimally invasive surgery, and prosthetics, to name a few.

As AdCom member, my strongly interdisciplinary background aligns with my professional path and personal expertise. I am committed to facilitating the exchange of knowledge, fostering collaborations across different areas within the society, and proposing initiatives that support cross-disciplinary cooperation.