Jessie Lee C. Santiago
Papers
2
Total Citations
143
H-Index
2
About
Jessie Lee C. Santiago is a pioneering roboticist whose work bridges bio-inspired design and space exploration. Her research focuses on continuum robotics—flexible, snake-like structures inspired by elephant trunks, octopus arms, and kangaroo tails—and she has pioneered the use of **mechanical layer jamming** to achieve variable stiffness in soft robots. Santiago’s most cited work, *“Soft Robots and Kangaroo Tails”* (2016, 96 citations), introduced a novel method for modulating compliance in continuum structures, enabling robots to transition seamlessly between flexible and rigid states—a capability critical for delicate manipulation and load-bearing tasks. Her follow-up study, *“Continuum Robots for Space Applications”* (2015, 47 citations), extended this concept to NASA’s needs, proposing layer-jamming scales for inspection and repair in zero-gravity environments. By solving the long-standing challenge of combining flexibility with controlled stiffness, Santiago’s contributions have opened new frontiers in surgical robotics, disaster response, and extraterrestrial exploration. Her work is celebrated for its elegance and practicality, earning her recognition as a leader in soft robotics and a key innovator in space-bound autonomous systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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