Intersecting Horizons: Bridging ECE and Interdisciplinary Innovation at HKUST
Featuring Isabel Yani Guan, a Ph.D. candidate at Peking University and Research Manager at NTU's Robotics Research Centre, this seminar highlights her extensive work in advanced robotics, sensor technologies, and AI, with notable contributions across academia and industry. The session will include a self-introduction, where Isabel will share her educational background and career trajectory, a detailed discussion of her research, focusing on her work in robotics embodied intelligence and the integration of large language models and reinforcement learning, and a mock lecture, which will delve into "LTI Systems, Convolution, and BIBO Stability," exploring the fundamental elements of signals, systems, and control.
Isabel Yani Guan is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Electronic Information at Peking University, China, with an expected completion date in July 2024. In April 2024, she proactively initiated her postdoctoral research, taking on the role of Research Manager at the Robotics Research Centre within the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Before returning to Asia, Guan spent a decade in the United States, starting from her high school education. She earned her B.S. in Electronic Engineering with a minor in Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) during 2013-2017. Subsequently, Guan pursued her master’s degree in science at Northwestern University from 2019 to 2020 with scholarship, focusing on integrating AI Ethics, Management, and Engineering. Guan's research has been extensive, resulting in over 10 academic papers, more than 30 patents, and her involvement in over 6 major projects in China with a combined funding exceeding 30 million CNY. From 2016 to 2019, Guan concentrated her research on wearable devices and indoor positioning technologies, including ultra-wideband technology. Subsequently, her Ph.D. research, conducted from 2020 to 2024, broadened to encompass robotics embodied intelligence. This expansion involved exploring the potential of robotics through the integration of Large Language Models and reinforcement learning, as well as the utilization of innovative sensing technologies such as event cameras. A significant achievement in her recent academic journey was her role in the 12 million CNY national key project, also the biggest construction robotics project in China, “Demonstration and Application of Construction Robots,” in collaboration with China, Singapore, and world largest construction company China Construction. She was responsible for international coordination and the design of inspection robots, leading to the spin-off of company Transforma. As the COO, she steered Transforma to secure 100 million CNY in funding, and Transforma was successfully acquired in June 2023. Guan's exceptional accomplishments have earned her recognition on China's Forbes '30 Under 30' and the Hurun '30 Under 30' lists in 2020.