PhD Student / Robotics Researcher

Building Intelligent Autonomous Systems.

PhD student at the University of Rhode Island, PX4-Autopilot Maintainer, and Co-founder of Caretta Robotics. Specializing in learning-based control for autonomous underwater vehicles and aerial robotics.

Current Role
PhD Candidate @ URI
Open Source
PX4-Autopilot Maintainer
Startup
Co-Founder @ Caretta
Focus
RL & AUV Control

Background

Research Focus

Target

I'm a robotics researcher focused on developing intelligent autonomous systems that can operate in challenging environments. My work spans from underwater vehicles navigating with sonar-based terrain reconstruction to aerial drones performing complex maneuvers in GPS-denied conditions.

Impact

Globe

As a maintainer of PX4-Autopilot, I contribute to the global robotics community while advancing research in learning-based control and perception systems.

Core Domains

Learning-Based AUV Control

Waves

Developing reinforcement learning approaches for autonomous underwater vehicle navigation. Enabling adaptation to dynamic environments with currents and sensor noise.

Reinforcement Learning AUV Adaptive Control PyTorch

Sonar Mapping

Radar

Perception systems leveraging sonar data for underwater mapping and localization in visually degraded environments.

Sonar SLAM Point Clouds

GPS-Denied Nav

Compass

Sensor fusion architectures combining UWB, visual odometry, and IMU for precise indoor localization.

UWB Sensor Fusion EKF

Aerial Object Tracking

Eye

Real-time object detection and tracking systems for drones using deep learning, integrated with PX4-Autopilot through ROS2 for autonomous following.

Computer Vision CNN ROS2 PX4-Autopilot

Et tu es Monet (And you are Monet)

Art

An interactive screen-based installation activated by motion tracking, revealing Claude Monet’s Haystack series within the audience’s real-time environment. Created for VIS-A-THON 2024.

Interactive Art Computer Vision RealSense Generative

The Stack

Frameworks

  • ROS2 / MAVROS
  • PX4-Autopilot
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow

Simulation

  • Gazebo
  • MuJoCo
  • AirSim
  • Isaac Sim

Hardware

  • Pixhawk / PX4-Autopilot
  • Jetson Orin
  • Raspberry Pi CM4
  • UWB Systems

DevOps

  • Docker
  • GitHub Actions
  • CI/CD Pipelines
  • Linux / RTOS

Journey

2022 - Present

PhD Student & RA

Research on AUV control & sonar perception

URI SOS Lab
2021 - Present

PX4-Autopilot Maintainer

Core maintainer for flight control software

Dronecode
2020 - Present

Co-founder & CTO

Autonomous vehicles for industrial apps

Caretta Robotics
Feb 2023 – Sep 2023

Software Engineer

Developed control software for drone swarms using PX4-Autopilot and simulation tools

Firefly Drone Shows
Oct 2022 – Aug 2023

Software Engineer

Engineered software solutions utilizing PX4-Autopilot, MAVROS, and XRCE-DDS for simulation

Ascend Engineering
2019 - 2021

MSc Electrical Engineer

Drone speed radar & PX4-Autopilot customization

Eastern Mediterranean University