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About

Jennifer Shum is a pioneering researcher in microrobotics, specializing in the design and control of insect-scale robots for locomotion and manipulation in complex, unstructured environments. Her work bridges bioinspired engineering and practical microrobotic mobility, with major contributions to piezoelectric microgripping, terrain-adaptive locomotion, and adhesion mechanisms for climbing robots. Shum’s most-cited paper, “Piezoelectric Grippers for Mobile Micromanipulation” (2020, 37 citations), introduces a novel solution for precise object manipulation in inaccessible spaces, leveraging piezoelectric actuation to achieve efficient, small-scale gripping. Her subsequent studies, including “An insect-scale robot reveals the effects of different body dynamics regimes during open-loop running in feature-laden terrain” (2021, 9 citations) and “Spines and Inclines” (2024, 3 citations), explore how bioinspired spines and passive compliant feet enable the Harvard Ambulatory Microrobot to navigate rough, inclined, and irregular surfaces without heavy sensors or complex control. Shum’s work on electroadhesive pad design (2024, 3 citations) further advances climbing capabilities on diverse terrains. Her research has accumulated over 50 citations, demonstrating significant impact in the field of microrobotics, and her achievements highlight a commitment to translating biological principles into robust, practical robotic systems for real-world deployment.