A new Superstar of STEM
A new Superstar of STEM
Robotics researcher Dr Elahe Abdi from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has been selected to participate in the 2023-2024 Superstars of STEM program, run by Science & Technology Australia, Australia’s peak body in science and technology.
The Superstars of STEM program aims to smash gender assumptions about who can work in science, technology, engineering and maths by increasing the amount of visible diverse role models featured in the media as experts in STEM. We spoke to Elahe about her career as an engineer and researcher, and what she’s most looking forward to experiencing in the program.
Who or what inspired you to become an engineer?
As a child, I looked forward to our mathematics sessions at primary school. The logical process of problem-solving in math was always fascinating to me. Later on, in secondary school, I liked physics even more as it reveals the power of math in describing natural phenomena. So, engineering seemed like an obvious choice for me, since it’s where theory and practice meet to solve real-life problems. Many years on, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. Tackling new problems and devising novel solutions are as exciting as ever.
As a researcher in the human-robot interaction field, what technology are you currently working on and how will it help improve productivity?
Nowadays, one of my main research interests is shared autonomy in human-robot collaboration. The aim is to make the most out of human strengths (as mostly reliable decision makers in unpredictable environments) and robot strengths (as potentially accurate, powerful, and/or tireless agents) towards safer and more productive processes in a range of applications including medicine, construction, and services. This makes a contribution to addressing the global challenge of workforce shortages by augmenting capabilities with automation while limiting the risks of adverse labour conditions for human workers.
As the head of the Robotics in Medicine and Interaction Laboratory, what other technologies are you developing that will help improve people’s lives and communities?
We are working on a concussion detection technology suitable for players of unhelmeted contact sports such as Australian rules football and rugby. The idea is to identify players at risk of concussion early using signal processing and machine learning techniques, and then notify the coach so that they can remove the players at risk from the field if required to avoid further health risks due to repeated injuries. This technology is especially important to protect players from the long term risks of concussion injuries from childhood to adulthood. The completed device will be accessible to amateur as well as professional players.
What makes you proud to be an engineer?
I am proud of the positive impact that engineers have around the globe, big or small. Whether it is a refined technology adapted to new applications, or a brand-new invention to address an unmet challenge, engineering is moving the world forward. From agriculture, mining, and construction, to communication, energy, and medicine, engineers are pushing the boundaries of technology.
What are you most looking forward to through your participation in the Superstars of STEM program?
One of my main career missions is to encourage diversity and inclusion in STEM by ‘walking the talk’. The Superstars Of STEM program will significantly boost my efforts in changing the perceptions towards who can become a successful researcher or academic in Engineering. I look forward to all the training and networking opportunities offered in this program, and the chance to reach out to schools and the larger community.
Find out more about the Superstars of STEM program
Read more from Elahe in Monash Lens