Audrey Balaska

University of Melbourne Postdoctoral Research Fellow

in Human-Robot Interaction 


WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Photo Credit: Jeremy Gasowski

Who am I?

I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in Human-Robot Interaction at the University of Melbourne.  

I am interested in control theory, mechanical design, assistive technology, human-factors engineering, and robotics.  I also am passionate about collegiate education in engineering and robotics.  

Before coming to University of Melbourne, I completed my doctoral program at Tufts University studying Mechanical Engineering and Human-Robot Interaction. Before that, I was an undergraduate student at the University of New Hampshire, and graduated with University Honors in Mechanical Engineering in 2019.  

I am currently working with the goal to defend my dissertation in 2024, after which I hope to find a position that allows me to continue exploring the intersection of mechanical engineering with other disciplines.  

What have I been up to recently? 

Dissertation Research

Human-Participant Study Related to Assistive Robotics and Agent-Based Modeling of Human/Robot Teams 

Bray Labs Teaching Assistant

Particularly, focusing on workshop development and other efforts to increase student engagement in the machine shop.

Assistive Design Projects

Occasionally, I volunteer to make lower-tech devices to help someone with a specific problem (usually related to a physical disability).  These are through hackathons or individual collaborations.  

If you would like to contact me, I am reachable via email:  Audrey.Balaska@unimelb.edu.au