Group Leader
Antonia Tzemanaki
Antonia Tzemanaki is Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Robotics at the School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology at the University of Bristol and is member of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. Her research includes human and robot hands, hand exoskeletons, robot kinematics, haptics and wearable robotics, especially with applications in surgery, preventative medicine, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and dexterous tele-operation, as well as extreme environments such as nuclear and space industry.
Doctoral Researchers
George Jenkinson
co-supervisor: Andrew Conn
Project Google Scholar
My research interests include bio-inspired robotics, sensory systems and the handling of sensory data, particularly haptic data, soft robotics, and decentralised control algorithms. I am interested in the capability of robotics to democratise aspects of wealth, particularly health, and also in the ontological and epistemic conclusions that can be drawn from the way robotic systems interact with their environment.
Athanasios Martsopoulos
co-supervisor: Tom Hill
During the five-year mechanical engineering programme at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), I developed a great interest in modelling and control of complex dynamical systems. My PhD focuses on the application of robotics in surgical procedures. More specifically, my research involves the design of analytical models and experimental studies, with the help of robotics, for the identification of needle-tissue interaction dynamics during biopsy and brachytherapy procedures.
Edith-Clare Hall
co-supervisor: Jonathan Rossiter
I am a PhD candidate working to apply and develop soft robotics to novel upper limb orthoses to better meet the needs of people living with the neurodegenerative conditions, such as motor neuron disease. My research interests are compassionate human-centred participatory design, biologically inspired soft robotics, musculoskeletal modelling, computational fluid dynamics, and neural networks for machine learning. My research is complimented by diverse engineering industrial experience in aerospace, high value manufacturing, and human-centred design. I am driven to pursue projects with clinical readiness and work in partnership with clinicians, patients, and carers throughout the design process.
Kat Styles
co-supervisor: Tom Scott, Manuel Giuliani
I took an undergraduate masters in Astronomy, Space science and Astrophysics and during my final year I worked on investigating the robustness of spacecraft shielding facing hyper-velocity impacts in orbit. This inspired me to switch from science to engineering. Since I wanted to continue to pursue my interest in all things space, I joined Airbus as a spacecraft thermal engineer on the thermal team for the ExoMars rover. I really enjoyed the project and once it was completed, I chose to continue learning about and working with robotic technology and joined the FARSCOPE CDT.
Miranda Lowther
co-supervisor: Helmut Hauser
My PhD research focuses on soft robotics, anthropomorphism, biomimicry and upper limb prosthetics, and my initial project will look at the morphology of soft prosthetic sockets for upper limb design.
Yael Zekaria
co-supervisor: Jonathan Rossiter
I am a FARSCOPE PhD student exploring the design and fabrication of a high-fidelity robotic pelvic floor phantom for the purposes of medical training, patient education and medical device testing. My research interests include bio-inspiration, health tech, user-focused design and all things that question the conventional view of robotics.
Joe Louca
co-supervisors: Kerstin Eder, John Vrublevskis
I am a FARSCOPE PhD student investigating teleoperation for space applications, focusing on how to enhance human capabilities through delay-robust simulations and improved sensory feedback, while ensuring trustworthy operation. This project is in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, UK. I am particularly interested applying robotics technologies in extreme environments, such as space, nuclear clean-up and environmental robotics.
Morgan Jenkinson
co-supervisors: Joe Philip, Andrew Conn
I undertook an undergraduate degree in Robotics Engineering, however, it was my masters dissertation (The Development of Wearable Electrodes to Control an Exoskeleton) which got me interested in combining engineering and health. The CDT in Digital Health and Care allowed me to gain knowledge in the medical side which led me to choose to pursue a PhD in surgical robotics. My project consists of designing and developing a robotic simulator, which includes haptic feedback, to train surgeons within Endourology.
Audric Tamby
co-supervisors: Martin Pearson, Kumar Abhinav
After graduating from Cardiff University with an MEng in Medical Engineering with First Class Honours, I wanted to be involved in the design process of medical devices, from prototyping to commercialisation. This was the key motivation in joining the FARSCOPE programme.
My research will focus on the design of a robot-assisted skull-base neurosurgery system that is not only ergonomic and cost-effective, but also safe for both surgeon and patient.