Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars Program alumnae are STEM leaders. Left to right: Rachel Burcin (Global Programs Manager and Co-Director RISS), Nadine Chang (PhD student, SCS: Robotics Institute), Tess Hellebreker (PhD student, SCS: Robotics Institute), Maggie Oates (PhD student, SCS: Institute for Software Research), Maggie Collier (PhD student, SCS: Robotics Institute), Stephanie Milani (PhD student, SCS: Machine Learning), John M. Dolan (Principal Systems Scientist, Robotics Institute and RISS Director)

RISS Women in Robotics

Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute creates opportunities for guided research experiences in robotics and professional development annually through its Robotics Institute Summer Scholars Program.

A panel of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS) alumnae kicked off the 2019 RISS June orientation luncheon by sharing their research experiences and guidance on how to maximize their time at Carnegie Mellon by exploring new research, meeting others in the field, and developing their own research interests. RISS alumnae and Robotics Institute faculty, graduate students, and staff form a supportive community that shapes the summer experience and supports success in STEM.

Dr. John M. Dolan, PI for the US National Science Center funded research site stated that, “We’re thrilled that RISS was able to play a role in the success of these alumnae, and that they are willing to give back to the program by serving as pathfinders and role models.”

Each of the alumnae began their experience in robotics as scholars supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the U.S. National Science Foundation through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program (Grant # CNS 1263266 and Grant # IIS 1659774) that has opened doors and impacted career trajectories for each of the scholars.