The annual John A. Goff Prize recognizes outstanding graduate students in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), chosen by faculty based on their scholarship, resourcefulness, and leadership. This year, MEAM proudly celebrates two recipients: Elizabeth “Bibit” Bianchini and Victoria “Torrie” Edwards.
Bianchini is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Dynamic Autonomy and Intelligent Robotics (DAIR) Lab, where her work on multi-contact manipulation bridges deep theoretical insights with impactful real-world applications. Nominated by her advisor, Assistant Professor Michael Posa, Bianchini’s track record is as impressive on paper as it is in practice. With two first-author papers and two additional co-first author papers under review, her scholarly output reflects not only her intellectual prowess but also her commitment to collaboration and mentorship. “While all of her work has been united by the common theme of contact-rich manipulation, what’s especially impressive is the combination of breadth and depth,” says Posa. He further highlights her ability to form strong, supportive relationships with her mentees, guiding them to academic and research excellence. “All four of Bibit’s papers have been the product of collaborations with different students and faculty, with all initiated and led by Bibit,” remarks Posa. Bianchini’s recent selection to participate in the 2024 Rising Stars in Mechanical Engineering Workshop underscores her stature as a role model and leader in the field.
Edwards has made remarkable strides in her academic journey, having recently defended her doctoral dissertation, “Macroscopic Ensemble Methods for Multi Robot Task Assignment in Dynamic Environments.” Her research at Penn has introduced innovative mathematical frameworks that enhance the design and analysis of coordination, control, and decision-making strategies for multi-robot systems. Torrie’s most significant contribution lies in her work on utilizing dynamic environmental cues as feedback signals—a breakthrough that enables robust, adaptive strategies for teams of robots operating in ever-changing settings. Beyond her research, Torrie is passionately committed to education and community service. She has actively mentored students through initiatives like the virtual AI4ALL@GRASP summer program in 2020, and has served on several committees at both Penn and within the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing & Perception (GRASP) lab. “What is most remarkable about Torrie is her ability to approach her work with joy and enthusiasm regardless of her circumstances,” remarks Associate Professor Ani Hsieh, who nominated her, emphasizing Torrie’s love for continuous discovery and learning.
Together, Bianchini and Edwards embody the excellence, creativity, and leadership that the John A. Goff Prize seeks to honor. Their achievements highlight not only significant advancements in their respective areas of research but also a commitment to uplifting the academic community and inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists.