When Dr. Roger Quinn, Arthur P. Armington Professor of Engineering, joined the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 37 years ago, the term 鈥渂iorobotics鈥� was unknown. Initially focused on simulation and control of space structures, Quinn was approached by former CWRU professor Randall Beer and professors of biology Hillel Chiel and Roy Ritzmann to build an insect-like robot for an innovative project. It was this project that would eventually put his name on the short list of people who pioneered the field of biorobotics.
Years later, the term 鈥渂iorobotics鈥� is widely recognized, and Quinn鈥檚 research continues to advance the field.
鈥淏iorobotics just really took off,鈥� Quinn reminisced. 鈥淎nd it just gradually took over my life.鈥�
His most recent work is focused on robot hands with a soft touch, in partnership with former student Vickie Webster-Wood (GRS 鈥�17, mechanical engineering) and longtime collaborator Chiel, the team is developing the next generation of soft robotic graspers. The project is gaining recognition from the National Science Foundation, which awarded the trio a $1.5 million grant as well as $8 million of the NSF鈥檚 far-reaching, $50 million project: Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience, or NeuroNex.
Since joining CWRU in 1986, Quinn has been the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI for 62 grants worth nearly $30 million, published a total of 524 times, served in many leadership roles and mentored and taught a large number of students in a variety of classes, some of which he developed.
In a long list of career achievements, he is most proud of his students.
As one of the professors who teaches the second-year class 鈥淯ndergraduate Dynamics,鈥� Quinn has the chance to meet many students early in their time at CWRU, giving him the opportunity to watch them grow and provide guidance as they navigate their way through academics and into careers.
鈥淚 could point to some particular robots, some other things we鈥檝e done,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut, honestly, I think the thing I鈥檓 most proud of is the students who have come through and done such great work and are such good people. Watching them succeed is the most satisfying part of the job.鈥�
Receiving the university鈥檚 highest award as a Distinguished University Professor is 鈥渁 big deal鈥� to Quinn. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor to be in such a select company.鈥�
鈥淒r. Quinn has made outstanding contributions to scholarly research, education and service, exemplifying the best attributes of our Distinguished University Professors,鈥� said Venkataramanan 鈥楻agu鈥� Balakrishnan, the Charles H. Phipps Dean of the Case School of Engineering. 鈥淗is stellar academic record, sustained scholarly accomplishments, high level of research funding and student mentoring, and his national and international stature in the discipline of biorobotics make him an extremely deserving recipient.鈥�