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About

Sten Grillner is a pioneering neuroscientist whose work bridges the gap between biological neural networks and robotics, with a primary focus on the neural control of locomotion. His major contributions center on understanding the vertebrate motor system, particularly through the lamprey model—a primitive vertebrate whose relatively simple nervous system has allowed him to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of pattern generation, steering, and postural control. Grillner’s research has had a profound impact, as evidenced by his highly cited work, including the landmark “Introducing the Human Brain Project” (163 citations), which helped shape a major European research initiative. He has also pioneered the development of bioinspired autonomous swimming robots that mimic lamprey locomotion, with several papers (e.g., 88 and 46 citations) demonstrating how neuroscientific insights can be translated into robotic platforms with neuro-inspired control and compliant bodies. Beyond robotics, his work has even touched on clinical applications, such as seizure-related automatic locomotion triggered by brain stimulation. Grillner’s interdisciplinary approach—combining neurobiology, biomechanics, and robotics—has established him as a leading figure in systems neuroscience, inspiring students and researchers to explore how the brain generates adaptive, goal-directed movement.