A day of innovation, teamwork, and STEM spirit

"We are so happy to have you here, and we hope to do more with New York City schools and our partners to share and promote our love of STEM,” said Dean Chang. “Columbia Engineering has a long history of supporting FIRST Robotics teams with mentors–we have hosted the FIRST Robotics kickoff for multiple years and plan to do so again in 2026.” 

Dean Chang also noted that more than 40 students from the Engineering School had signed up to volunteer. “Many of our engineering students are FIRST alumni, as well. They have personally benefited from this program and they know the impact being on a robotics team in middle or high school can have on a young person's life.”

“Today’s competition is more than just a contest. It is a testament to the dedication, the creativity, and the hard work of each and every one of you,” said Ray while addressing the students. “The innovation and approaches you took to source materials and build your projects were truly remarkable – it’s very inspiring.”

To win the robot challenge, alliances of two teams would compete against another alliance–and challenge their robots with a series of tasks, from collecting blocks and disposing them in the team’s bucket, or retrieving hooked blocks to hang in the middle of the arena. The Mayor’s Cup came to an exciting conclusion when the last two teams of alliances competed for first place. Teams Saturn and Mercury, an alliance team took home the first place trophy. Both teams were made up of students from the Staten Island Technical High School. 

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Robotics demos and campus exploration

In addition to the full day of competitions, Columbia Engineering faculty members presented a series of robotics demos. Highlights included demonstrations from Hod Lipson’s Creative Machines Lab, Sunil Agrawal’s ROAR Lab, Yunzhu Li’s RoboPI Lab, and Matei Ciocarlie’s ROAM Lab. The School’s Office of Outreach also showcased a creation from their flagship program SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers), a summer program that offers college-level courses taught by Columbia faculty. 

Additional demos were showcased by student groups representing the Engineering School, including Columbia Space Initiative, Columbia Robotics Club, Biomedical Engineering Society, and Columbia University Formula Racing. High school students participating in the competition also had a chance to tour the School and learn more about student clubs from Columbia students who shared demos of their past work.

“Thank you to the students for really putting in the effort to make this day a reality,” said Zigman at the competition. “Many of you will go on to careers in STEM, but for those of you who don’t, you’re going to be incredibly successful because of the mindset and skills you’ve learned that will serve you well in anything you choose.”

Lead Photo Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia Engineering

Kathryn (Kate) Lampo has always aimed higher than most—literally. “I was the kid who wanted to be an astronaut,” she said. 

As a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, she’s inching even closer to achieving that childhood dream. After graduation this spring, Kate, the current co-president of Columbia Space Initiative (CSI), will soon begin her professional journey in the aerospace field. 

Kate has recently been named a recipient of the 2025 Campbell Award, an honor presented to a graduating student who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by the late Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC. She has received numerous accolades this past year, including a Marshall Scholarship and was honored with Aviation Week Network’s 20 Twenties Class of 2025 award. Advised by Mechanical Engineering Professors Mike Massimino and Matei Ciocarlie, Kate conducts research in Ciocarlie’s Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Laboratory, where she works on designing and building robotic manipulators. She will be continuing her studies in space robotics at the University of Oxford following graduation.

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Thinking back — what first drew you to Columbia Engineering?

Honestly, the city! I grew up in the suburbs of Denver, and while I loved Colorado (and still do), I knew that I wanted to move somewhere completely different for college. Columbia also seemed like a place brimming with opportunity, and I knew that I would grow in significant ways at Columbia Engineering.

Did you always know you wanted to get into the aerospace engineering field? 

I did! When I was younger, I was the kid that wanted to grow up to be an astronaut. I’ve always been fascinated by the scientific potential inherent in exploring our universe, and as my aspirations developed throughout middle and high school, I became more and more interested in building the vehicles that allow us to do so. To me, aerospace engineering has always been a great way to combine my love for space with my enjoyment of designing and building things. I’ve been able to refine those aspirations further here, and am now focused on robotics for space applications.

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What’s a moment at Columbia that shifted how you see yourself—or your future?

I think the most valuable thing that Columbia has taught me is to believe that anything is possible. 

My freshman year, I worked in a team as a part of the Columbia Space Initiative (CSI) that built a lunar gripping and anchoring tool for a NASA competition. After being selected as national finalists, we got to travel to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX to test the tool in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, which is a microgravity astronaut training center. 

To have that opportunity so early on was a phenomenal experience, and it made me realize that I could do serious engineering as early as my freshman year. That has inspired me to pursue every outlandish opportunity since, and while plenty of my efforts have been unsuccessful, my penchant for trying has opened up many other doors for me throughout college.

How has the School’s guiding principle, Engineering For Humanity, resonated with your experience at Columbia?

I’ve been lucky enough to have had many teaching opportunities that embody the concept of Engineering for Humanity to me. I’ve spent a lot of time working on educational STEM outreach in Title I middle schools across the city, developing and delivering lessons on space science and engineering to thousands of kids. I’ve also been a teaching assistant for first-year students for the last two years, which is something that I’ve found to be incredibly rewarding.

In my mind, a big part of Engineering for Humanity is making STEM opportunities accessible to anyone that wants to pursue them. Coming up with creative and novel solutions that benefit humanity requires integrating diverse perspectives, which is something that Columbia has made clearly evident to me. 

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If you could send one piece of advice to your first-year self, what would it be?
Relax! My first-year self (like many first-years) was overly stressed and trying to do way too much. Four years is a long time, and I would encourage her to authentically explore her interests instead of trying to join every extracurricular she came across. There’s no rush—and taking time for rest is important!

Share some words to live by or a message to your fellow grads? 

While I often think the phrase is used in a negative way, I really like the expression “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.” I’m a big believer in trying things with the understanding that not everything will work out, but something is bound to stick. I think it’s worthwhile to be open to new and unfamiliar experiences, and to pursue things that seem improbable.

What are your plans this summer and after Columbia? 

This summer, I’m excited to spend some time resting at home in Colorado with my family and friends. In the fall, I’m off to Oxford to start my MSc in Engineering! I’ll be studying robotic planning for space environments.

What will you miss the most about your time at Columbia Engineering? 

Easily the Columbia Space Initiative (CSI)! CSI has been such a home for me during my four years at Columbia—I joined the first week of my freshman year, and I haven’t left since. From the jump, the club provided me with truly phenomenal aerospace opportunities, from testing a lunar gripping tool in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory to calling an astronaut on the ISS to building a pair of satellites to launch in the next couple of years. Beyond that, CSI has also given me some of my closest friends and my strongest community here. I’ll miss it very dearly!

Bringing robotics to the factory floor

The first place prize of $25,000 was awarded to Kathedra, which is developing an AI-guided robotic upholstery system that brings innovation to the $180 billion upholstered furniture market.

A key goal is to free workers from strenuous, repetitive manual work and enable manufacturers to produce diverse chair designs at high volume in the US. Their aim is to solve a critical labor shortage the industry is currently facing.

 “We are so grateful to Columbia for providing the resources. It’s been so amazing to be part of this community,” said David Faes ‘24GS, a co-founder of Kathedra. Faes, a recent alumnus of the School of General Studies, and his co-founder, Oliver Chasan, said furniture manufacturers have enthusiastically welcomed their idea, noting that nothing like it currently exists. The team, which includes mechanical engineering senior Kyle Cash, is connecting with the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy, a reputable college for careers in furniture making, to seamlessly integrate automation into the industry.

By women for women

Awarded $15,000, second-place prize went to Milkshaker, co-founded by five Engineering seniors–Hope Hersom, Pricilla Dua, Valentina Marini Fichera, Elise Yang, and Kavita Parikh. This innovation aims to prevent and treat mastitis, an inflammation of the breast tissue causing pain and fever in nursing mothers.

The only known solution is a lymphatic drainage breast massage performed by certified physical therapists, noted Hersom, and the pool of these trained specialists is limited. Even in Manhattan, she said, only two such specialists exist, underscoring how inaccessible the treatment is for the majority mothers.

A bra-like garment, MilkShaker is wearable tech with a built-in mechanism and rechargeable batteries. The device mimics the work of a certified therapist by massaging the breast— pushing fluid from the top and bottom of the breast away from the nipple and milk ducts— to prevent clogging. The team has produced a prototype, with next steps to obtain a patent and ultimately enter into clinical trials.

A breath of fresh air

The third-place winner of a $10,000 prize was awarded to SWERV (Smart Windows Energy Recovery Ventilators). Founded by a three-member team led by Austin Riesenberger, SWERV is hoping to improve indoor air quality, especially for those with asthma. Compared to traditional ventilators with costs ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 and require major renovation, SWERV is window-mounted and efficiently cycles fresh air while recovering heat and moisture.

“I feel great because this is our first seed money that will help us build more prototypes, finalize deals with manufacturers and obtain a patent,” said Riesenberger, a mechanical engineering senior.

Smarter glasses, powered with AI for the visually impaired

Cadre Technologies received this year’s Engineering for Humanity Prize of $10,000. Cadre is producing AI-powered glasses for the visually impaired. Unlike other glasses which do only object detection, this features real-time object recognition, text reading, and facial identification. It processes visual data instantly, converting it into audio feedback to help users navigate their surroundings with confidence. 

“We've conducted 1,357 trials in different parts of India, but we're working to get approval to start trials in the U.S., and this prize money will help achieve that,” said Cadre founder Muneer Khan MS’22, who studied electrical engineering at Columbia.

Since 2021, Chan has been providing not only financial support, but mentorship for startups. “I’ve been where you are today, and I can relate. Sometimes you are smart. Sometimes you are lucky. You need both,” he said in his remarks to attendees. With robust experience in establishing successful startups, Chan urged winners to take advantage of all the networks and resources Columbia offers.

Impressed by the quality of this year’s entries, one of the judges, Lan Huang, a leading scientist, inventor and biotech entrepreneur said selection was based on viability of the start-up, competitive advantage, and team composition.

“It gets better every year,” she said of the annual competition. “I can tell you, as an entrepreneur myself, it’s not the technology that makes a company successful but the team who can stick together to the end.” 

Lead Photo Caption: The MilkShaker team wins second-place prize of $15,000 in startup funding
Lead Photo Credit: Sirin Samman/Columbia Engineering
 

Recognizing the importance of open conversations about career journeys, Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, both joined the event; Dean Chang gave introductory remarks and President Armstrong kicked off the discussion and shared her own experience as a woman in STEM. 

Armstrong talked about her unconventional career path– from studying architecture as an undergraduate to completing medical school and ultimately rising through the ranks in higher education in leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and now, at Columbia. She encouraged attendees to regularly check in with themselves, emphasizing the importance of making changes before reaching burnout. She also highlighted the value of finding what works for each individual. She shared a personal anecdote about how she became known for letting her kids sleep in their school clothes instead of pajamas—a simple adjustment that made hectic mornings a little easier.

“The best advice I ever received was to be yourself because you're not going to change who you are,” Armstrong said. “And if you try to be somebody else, you're going to be so much less effective than just being who you are.”

Building connections

The second half of the event consisted of breakout sessions between small groups of students and women faculty members from across Columbia. With cups of coffee in hand, students and professors–women in STEM– exchanged stories, laughter, and insights. 

A common theme professors shared with students was the importance of advocating for yourself and pursuing what you're passionate about. University Professor and Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic emphasized that when you truly love what you do, it never feels like work—even when challenges arise. Christine Hendon, associate professor of electrical engineering, encouraged students to believe in themselves, even when others doubt their ideas. 

"If someone says it won’t work, figure it out, run some simulations, test for tolerance analysis, and if it looks feasible—go for it," Hendon said. "When you finally get to the point where it works, it’s the best feeling ever.”

In this relaxed setting, conversations flowed and what started as casual chats soon turned into meaningful discussions about careers, research, and personal experiences. 

“This event showcases the magic of Columbia,” said Githika, “and how there is a community that wants to not just collaborate with each other, but grow with each other.”

Lead Photo Caption: Columbia faculty, students and staff gathered in Carleton Commons March 7 for a special networking opportunity for women in STEM. 
Lead Photo Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University

In the new study, the researchers instead developed a way for robots to autonomously model their own 3D shapes using a single regular 2D camera. This breakthrough was driven by three brain-mimicking AI systems known as deep neural networks. These inferred 3D motion from 2D video, enabling the robot to understand and adapt to its own movements. The new system could also identify alterations to the bodies of the robots, such as a bend in an arm, and help them adjust their motions to recover from this simulated damage.

Such adaptability might prove useful in a variety of real-world applications. For example, "imagine a robot vacuum or a personal assistant bot that notices its arm is bent after bumping into furniture," Hu says. "Instead of breaking down or needing repair, it watches itself, adjusts how it moves, and keeps working. This could make home robots more reliable—no constant reprogramming required."

Another scenario might involve a robot arm getting knocked out of alignment at a car factory. "Instead of halting production, it could watch itself, tweak its movements, and get back to welding—cutting downtime and costs," Hu says. "This adaptability could make manufacturing more resilient."

As we hand over more critical functions to robots, from manufacturing to medical care, we need these robots to be more resilient. “We humans cannot afford to constantly baby these robots, repair broken parts and adjust performance. Robots need to learn to take care of themselves, if they are going to become truly useful,” says Lipson. “That’s why self-modeling is so important.”

The ability demonstrated in this study is the latest in a series of projects that the Columbia team has released over the past two decades, where robots are learning to become better at self-modeling using cameras and other sensors. 

In 2006, the research team’s robots were able to use observations to only create simple stick-figure-like simulations of themselves. About a decade ago, robots began creating higher fidelity models using multiple cameras. In this study, the robot was able to create a comprehensive kinematic model of itself using just a short video clip from a single regular camera, akin to looking in the mirror. The researchers call this newfound ability “Kinematic Self-Awareness.” 

“We humans are intuitively aware of our body; we can imagine ourselves in the future and visualize the consequences of our actions well before we perform those actions in reality,” explains Lipson. “Ultimately, we would like to imbue robots with a similar ability to imagine themselves, because once you can imagine yourself in the future, there is no limit to what you can do.”

The researchers detailed their findings February 25 in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence.

Lead Photo Description: A robot observes its reflection in a mirror, learning its own morphology and kinematics for autonomous self-simulation. The process highlights the intersection of vision-based learning and robotics, where the robot refines its movements and predicts its spatial motion through self-observation. 

Credit: Jane Nisselson/Columbia Engineering 

About The Study

Journal: Nature Machine Intelligence

Title: Teaching Robots to Build Simulations of Themselves

Authors: Yuhang Hu 1, Jiong Lin 1, and Hod Lipson 1, 2

Affiliations:

1 Creative Machines Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA

2 Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA

DOI: 10.1038/s42256-025-01006-w

Funding/Acknowledgements: This work was supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) AI Institute for Dynamical Systems (DynamicsAI.org), grant 2112085.

All the authors declare that they have no competing interests.