Rose Gebhardt – Virginia Wright Memorial Scholar
1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate

Aerospace Engineering
University of Maryland

Research:
My research models the fluid dynamics of robotic fish swimming in close proximity to other agents and to apply feedback control to harness hydrodynamic benefits and perform bio-inspired behaviors. By strategically adjusting the swimming behavior of a robotic fish, we aim to (1) modify the trajectory of a vortex near the fish; (2) reach and maintain a desired distance from another fish; and (3) perform rheotaxis, or reorient the fish toward the direction flow.

How Will Your Research Benefit Society?

Compared to propeller-based underwater vehicles, bio-inspired robotic fish can leverage their flexible structures and bio-inspired locomotion methods to move with greater energy efficiency, produce smaller acoustic profiles, and appear less conspicuous. These advantages make robotic fish ideal for a variety of data-gathering tasks without disturbing wildlife or being detected, such as studying animal behavior, monitoring coral reefs, inspecting underwater infrastructure, and conducting intelligence gathering for military applications. Further optimizing the design of these robotic fish will enhance their ability to perform these tasks.

How will an ARCS Award Benefit Your Research?

The funding from an ARCS award will allow me to focus on my research full-time without needing to take on additional roles for salary, which will be crucial as I finish my degree. It will also enable me to attend conferences and meetings in person, allowing me to collaborate with others and build connections that will support my long-term career.

Career objectives:

After completing my doctorate, I hope to work at either a university-affiliated research center or a federally funded research and development center. Both options appeal to me because they would allow me to continue a career in research while maintaining a level of flexibility and autonomy, as well as contributing to projects aimed at benefiting the public.