Team Member Status: Current Team Members

Songyan Xin is a Lecturer in Mobile Robotics at the University of Leeds. His research focuses on applying control, optimization, and machine learning to generate dynamic movements for mobile robots. Previously, he worked as a Senior Robotics Research Engineer at Dyson and as a postdoctoral researcher in control and machine learning for robotics at the University of Edinburgh. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering and Robotics from the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Genoa, an MSc in Automation, Robotics, and Applied Computer Science from École Centrale de Nantes, and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and Automation from Zhejiang University.

Dr Nabil Shaukat is a Lecturer in Aerial Robotics at the University of Leeds with expertise in aerial and underwater robotics, multi-sensor fusion, and Bayesian navigation. He designs robust autonomous systems for GPS-denied and infrastructure-challenged environments, including verified Trustworthy ROS-based control software, energy-efficient swarm robotics, and high-speed control for advanced vehicles. Alongside his academic work, he has industry experience leading automation projects, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and founding rapid prototyping and innovation labs to support deep-tech product development. He has worked with industrial partners on system integration, control architecture, and real-time robotics solutions. With a PhD summa cum laude in sensor fusion for robotic positioning and credentials including PMP and IEEE membership, he brings a strong mix of technical depth, practical engineering, and applied innovation.

Dr. Hitesh Bhardwaj is an Experimental Officer at the Institute of Design, Robotics, and Manufacturing at the University of Leeds. He completed his MSc studies in Aeronautical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan and his PhD studies in the Design and Development of Hybrid, Nature-Inspired Robots Capable of Efficient Mobility Across Multiple Modes at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. His research interests include encompassing aerial and ground robots, nature-inspired UAVs, system modeling and control through simulation, and flight control of UAVs.

Sarah Field is currently a project manager within the Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacturing at the University of Leeds. Her focus is on the engagement of industry with academia. Although from a Med-Tech background, Sarah has contributed to the success of several University of Leeds spin-out companies, managing technology development from ideation to exit within commercial pathways and Innovate UK grant structures. As Project Manager involved in multiple projects within Robotics (UKRAS-STEPS, RESCu-M2), Sarah builds communities, creating networks of like-minded individuals around technical development and future opportunities, and utilises her experience in relationship management, B2B collaboration and knowledge exchange. Sarah is keen to connect with people, community groups, companies and local authorities to see how Real Robotics can provide solutions to on-the-ground problems.

Linyan Han received her Ph.D. degree in Control Science and Engineering from the School of Automation, Southeast University, Nanjing, China, in 2022. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, UK. Her interests include force control, learning-based control, visual servoing control, nonlinear control theory and their applications to robotic systems.

Steven has worked at the University of Leeds for 11 years, and joined the Real Robotics Team part-time as an Electronics Robotics Research Technician, where he assists the team with electronics, building, coding and 3D Printing. Steven completed an apprenticeship with an Electrical Control Panel manufacturing company (working alongside British Nuclear Fuels, Oil Rig Control Panels, British Steel and MOD), gaining City & Guilds Electrical & Electronic Craft Studies (Parts 1, 2 & 3). Alongside this, Steven completed evening courses in Electronics Servicing (Parts 1, 2 & 3) in Television and Radio Reception Digital & Analogue Techniques, gaining skills in panel wiring and wire looming. He has experience in soldering, intricate detail work, fault finding and repairing, and relationship development with engineers and customers from his time at Comet Services as Workshop Manager. Steven enjoys his role working with the Real Robotics Team, sharing knowledge and learning everything Robotics, as his passion is with Robots, 3D Printing, building, coding and fault finding with robots.

Jongrae Kim is an Associate Professor in Aerospace Systems Engineering, the School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds and a senior member of the IEEE. His research areas are control engineering & aerospace engineering. His theoretical parts research cover robustness analysis, optimal control, uncertainty identification, nonlinear estimation, Boolean dynamics, and dynamic system modelling & identification. His application areas include unmanned aerial vehicle mission planning, underwater vehicle navigation, CubeSat satellite attitude control system design & analysis, systems/synthetic biology, and human brain modelling using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Dr Bilal Kaddouh is a Lecturer in Aerial Robotics, at the University of Leeds, focusing on the design of autonomous aerial robots that inspect structures and perform structural maintenance in flight. He leads the academic part of the University of Leeds H&S drone policy. He is a certified drone pilot with 7 years’ experience and licensed for commercial drone operations in the University. He has wide experience in autonomous UAS development and operation and has been involved in numerous flight tests in UK and Internationally. He is interested in developing UAS technologies for emergency response, BVLOS operations, precision agriculture and atmospheric studies.

Andy Barber is a post doctorate researcher at the University of Leeds. Andy studied his Undergraduate and Masters Degrees at the University in Mechatronics and Robotics. After spending a year working in industry, he returned in 2013 to undertake his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, developing components for worm like robots and simulating their performance. Andy has been working as a researcher with the university since 2017, working on a variety of different projects, from drone-based technologies to robotic arm attachments. A particular focus of his work more recently has been the design, manufacture and development of small robotic platforms for investigating pipe networks.

George Jackson-Mills is a Doctor of Robotics, and a Lecturer in Robotics for Inspection and Maintenance within the Multidisciplinary Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacturing (iDRaM) at the University of Leeds. He completed an Industrially Sponsored PhD with National Grid Gas Transmission (NGGT), resulting in the creation of a novel magnetic robotic inspection system that was spun-out of UoL to form the company Acuity Robotics Ltd. His current research interest are around the long term deployment of robotic systems for real-world tasks including biodiversity monitoring and in-pipe inspection. George excels at designing creative mechanical solutions for robotic traction and  locomotion techniques.