Berk Calli
Berk Calli, associate professor in the Department of Robotics Engineering, has recently been honored with a prestigious $599,559 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award recognizes his exceptional potential in both research and education.
Professor Calli’s research focuses on enhancing the object manipulation capabilities of robots, which is essential for their effective operation in everyday environments such as homes, offices, and hospitals. These advancements are particularly significant for robotics in waste recycling, an area his laboratory has prioritized since receiving a previous four-year grant from the NSF Future of Work program.
In this five-year CAREER project, Calli will collaborate with faculty from the Environmental Engineering Program to establish an environmental robotics track for undergraduate students. This initiative aims to provide students with hands-on experience and equip them with the skills needed to address pressing environmental challenges through innovative robotic solutions.
Throughout his career, Calli has garnered support from multiple NSF awards and has invented patented robot technology that is being developed for cutting metal and dismantling old ships. His work exemplifies a commitment to advancing robotics while preparing the next generation of engineers for future challenges.