Marine Robotics Research Expands with Addition of Katherine Skinner
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University is pleased to welcome
Katherine A. “Katie” Skinner as its newest Associate Professor. A leading researcher in robotics, perception,
and machine learning, she brings an innovative research program focused on developing
intelligent robotic systems capable of operating in complex real-world environments.
Skinner's research centers on robot perception and machine learning for field robotics, with applications in underwater environments, space exploration, and autonomous vehicles. Her work combines computer vision, robot learning, and multi-sensor fusion to help robots perceive, navigate, and make decisions in challenging environments where traditional approaches can fall short.
Skinner's research contributions have earned recognition from leading organizations in engineering and robotics. Her honors include the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award (2025), the Ocean News & Technology Early Career Ocean Professional Award (2025), the NSF CAREER Award (2024), and an IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters Best Paper Award (2023).
“We are fortunate to welcome such an outstanding scholar and engineer to the university,” said P. Scott Carney, Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering. “Professor Skinner will have a nonlinear impact in our already-outstanding robotics faculty. Moreover, her expertise in vision and navigation will enhance research from medical image analysis to marine biology. Her addition to the Department adds to our upward momentum and builds on our foundation of excellence.”
Skinner joins Stony Brook University from the University of Michigan, where she served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Robotics from 2021 to 2026, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Her academic career also includes postdoctoral research at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering and the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Skinner earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. from the Robotics Institute at the University of Michigan. She received her B.S.E. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, along with a Certificate in Applications of Computing, from Princeton University.
At Stony Brook, Skinner will expand Mechanical Engineering's expertise in field robotics, perception, robot learning, computer vision, and multi-sensor fusion. Her work also offers opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, connecting robotics and autonomous systems with areas such as marine science, space research, and medical imaging.
Reflecting on her arrival at Stony Brook, Skinner shared her enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead:
“I am very excited to join the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University. Stony Brook has excellent facilities and unique resources for field robotics research. I look forward to collaborating with faculty and students across campus to contribute to the exciting things happening in robotics research and education here.”
Skinner’s arrival further strengthens the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s growing expertise in robotics and autonomous systems. Her research and interdisciplinary perspective will create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student learning, further advancing the Department’s commitment to excellence in research and education.