Brian Plancher

I am an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Barnard College, Columbia University where I lead the Accessible and Accelerated Robotics Lab (A²R Lab). I am also a co-chair for the Tiny Machine Learning Open Education Initiative (TinyMLedu) and an associate co-chair for the IEEE RAS TC on Model Based Optimization for Robotics.

My research is focused on developing and implementing open-source algorithms for dynamic motion planning and control of robots by exploiting both the mathematical structure of algorithms and the design of computational platforms. As such, my research is at the intersection of Robotics and Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems, Numerical Optimization, and Machine Learning.

I also want to improve the accessibility of STEM education. I research ways to better understand and improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM education globally, as well as design and teach new interdisciplinary, project-based, open-access courses that lower the barrier to entry of cutting edge topics like robotics and embedded machine learning.

I enjoy spending my free time with my family and skiing in the winters.