About Me

Ph.D. candidate at NYU working on embodied AI, robot perception, sim-to-real learning, and deformable robotics.

Short Bio

I build end-to-end robotic systems that span multimodal sensing, deep learning, simulation, embedded control, and rapid prototyping. My research at NYU focuses on embodied AI in deformable environments, with projects in soft robot proprioception, long-horizon sand manipulation, and experimental robotics platforms.

Skills

Programming: Python, C/C++, MATLAB

Robotics and ML: ROS/ROS 2, PyTorch, Isaac Sim, Isaac Lab, Computer Vision

Systems: Linux, Docker, Embedded Systems, Hardware Bring-up

CAD and Electronics: SolidWorks, EasyEDA, LTspice, PCB Design, Sensor Integration

Fabrication: 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Soldering, Mill, Lathe, Welding

Education

New York University

Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 2021 - Present

GPA: 3.9/4.0

Columbia University

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2018 - 2020

GPA: 3.8/4.0

University of Colorado Boulder

Concurrent B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2014 - 2018

GPA: B.S. 3.9/4.0, M.S. 3.7/4.0

Research Experience

2021 - Present

Ph.D. Candidate, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

AI4CE Lab, New York University

Researching embodied AI, robot perception, sim-to-real learning, and deformable robotics. Developed a sim-to-real pipeline for pneumatic soft robot 3D shape reconstruction from internal camera observations and validated it on real hardware.

2018 - 2020

Researcher, Open-Source Ultrasound System

Creative Machines Lab, Columbia University

Built a low-cost handheld ultrasound system with real-time embedded imaging. Developed high-speed acquisition and image processing pipelines in C and Python and designed custom scanning hardware and acoustic components.

Teaching

Teaching Assistant, Robot Perception

New York University, 2024 - Present

Led hands-on sessions, revised teaching materials, built simulation environments, and graded assignments with technical feedback.

Research Mentor

New York University, 2021 - Present

Mentored 15+ undergraduate and graduate students in project-based robotics and perception research.

Honors and Awards

Tandon Dissertation Fellowship
Engineering Merit Scholarship
Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate
Tau Beta Pi

Selected Publications

Zhao, H., and Feng, C. DeepSoMo: Deformable Object Motion Estimation under Proprioceptive Partial Observability via Predictive Latent Dynamics. Under review.
Yoo, U*., Zhao, H*., Altamirano, A., Yuan, W., and Feng, C. Toward zero-shot sim-to-real transfer learning for pneumatic soft robot 3D proprioceptive sensing. ICRA 2023.
Guo, Q*., Yang, K*., Zhao, H., Fang, H., Wang, H., and Feng, C. Visual-Auditory Proprioception of Soft Finger Shape and Contact. Accepted to ICRA 2026.
Fang, I., Shi, K., He, X., Tan, S., Wang, Y., Zhao, H., Huang, H.-J., Yuan, W., Feng, C., and Zhang, J. FusionSense: Bridging common sense, vision, and touch for robust sparse-view reconstruction. ICRA 2025.
Zhang, J., Fang, I., Wu, H., Kaushik, A., Rodriguez, A., Zhao, H., Zhang, J., Zheng, Z., Iovita, R., and Feng, C. LUWA dataset: Learning lithic use-wear analysis on microscopic images. CVPR 2024 Highlight.

Let's Connect

The best way to reach me is by email. I am based in Jersey City, NJ.