Research Assistant at Auburn University, United States
Sujata Basyal is a passionate mechanical engineer and researcher from Nepal, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Auburn University. With a strong foundation in nonlinear control and robotics, she works at the CARE Lab developing robust, adaptive, and intelligent control strategies. Sujata’s journey spans from mechanical design roles in Nepal to cutting-edge research in the U.S. She has co-authored numerous journal and conference papers on exoskeletons, deep neural networks, and control systems. Beyond academia, she’s a community leader, active volunteer, and a dedicated advocate for women in engineering and STEM education. 🌍🤖📚
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Academic Background
Sujata holds a Ph.D. (in progress) and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, where she’s a Graduate Research Assistant in the CARE Lab. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Automobile Engineering from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Her academic path is marked by merit scholarships, fellowships, and an impressive research portfolio. Through her studies, she has gained deep expertise in nonlinear systems, control theory, and rehabilitation robotics. Her educational journey reflects a blend of academic rigor and hands-on innovation, both in Nepal and the United States. 🎓🇳🇵
Professional Background
Sujata’s experience ranges from research-intensive roles in the U.S. to industry-level engineering in Nepal. At Auburn, she designs robust control systems for rehabilitation robotics. Before that, she worked as a Warranty Executive at Agni Group and as a Mechanical Design Engineer and Project Supervisor at multiple firms in Kathmandu. Her roles included product design, team leadership, and service engineering. She has also interned at Go Ford, gaining hands-on experience with vehicle diagnostics and maintenance. Her career blends practical skills, technical depth, and global exposure. 🔧🌐📈
Awards and Honors
Sujata has been recognized with prestigious honors like the Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship and EPSCoR Graduate Scholars Program at Auburn University. She received the 100+ Women Strong Travel Fellowship and multiple merit scholarships throughout her undergrad. In Nepal, she secured a national RDI grant and won robotics competitions, including at IIT Bombay and Robotics Association of Nepal. These awards reflect her excellence in academics, leadership, innovation, and her commitment to advancing women and technology in engineering. 🥇🎖️👩🏫
Research Focus
Sujata’s research focuses on developing robust and adaptive control strategies using Lyapunov theory, deep neural networks, and concurrent learning. Her work addresses challenges in uncertain, nonlinear, and switched dynamic systems with applications in rehabilitation robotics, such as exoskeleton control, and networked control systems. She integrates artificial intelligence and control theory to build systems that are intelligent, responsive, and resilient. Her innovative research aims to enhance human-robot interaction, particularly for medical and assistive technologies. 🤖📊🧠
Publication Top Notes
📘 Robust Control of a Nonsmooth or Switched Control Affine Uncertain Nonlinear System Using a Novel RISE-Inspired Approach
Year: 2023 | Cited by: 4
🦿 Deep Neural Network Based Saturated Adaptive Control of Muscles in a Lower-Limb Hybrid Exoskeleton
Year: 2023 | Cited by: 2
🧠 Neuromuscular Model-free Epistemic Risk Guided Exploration (NeuroMERGE) for Safe Autonomy in Human-Robot Interaction
Year: 2024 | Cited by: 1
⚙️ RISE-Like Saturated Control for Non-Smooth and Switched Non-Linear Systems
Year: 2023 | Cited by: 1
Conclusion
Sujata Basyal is an outstanding emerging researcher whose academic journey, innovative contributions, and community engagement collectively mark her as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a strong academic foundation through her ongoing Ph.D. and prior M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, her work focuses on nonlinear control, rehabilitation robotics, and neural networks—fields at the forefront of engineering innovation. She has authored 3 journal papers and 18+ conference publications in top-tier venues like ACC, CDC, ICORR, and IMECE, showcasing both depth and breadth of research. Her work on adaptive and Lyapunov-based control strategies not only advances theory but also translates into impactful real-world applications such as hybrid exoskeleton systems. Recognized through prestigious fellowships like the Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship and the EPSCoR GRSP, Sujata has also demonstrated excellence through national and international robotics awards. Her leadership roles, mentoring, and active membership in organizations like ASME and SWE underscore a commitment to academic, professional, and community development. In every dimension—scholarship, innovation, leadership, and impact—Sujata Basyal exemplifies the caliber of a Best Researcher Award recipient.