Stacey Shield
Papers
11
Total Citations
189
H-Index
7
About
Stacey Shield’s research lies at the dynamic intersection of robotic locomotion, biomechanics, and trajectory optimization, with a focus on how animals—and the robots inspired by them—achieve rapid, agile movement. Her most influential work, “Contact-Implicit Trajectory Optimization Using Orthogonal Collocation” (72 citations), introduced a method that significantly improves the accuracy of trajectory optimization for robots that make and break contact with their environment, a critical capability for dynamic legged machines. She has also made key contributions to understanding how appendages like tails and spines enhance maneuverability and stability, as seen in her highly cited paper “Tails, Flails, and Sails” (40 citations) and her work on spine morphology for quadruped robots (21 citations). Beyond optimization, Shield has explored cheetah-inspired design, from aerodynamic tails for rapid turning to draglines for aerial righting, and has advanced the modeling of hybrid pneumatic-electric legged robots. Her work bridges biology and engineering, offering practical insights for building faster, more stable, and more agile robots. With over 180 total citations and a growing portfolio of high-impact publications, Shield is a rising leader in bio-inspired robotics and contact-rich locomotion.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Contact-Implicit Trajectory Optimization Using Orthogonal Collocation72 citations · 2019
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- 3The effect of spine morphology on rapid acceleration in quadruped robots21 citations · 2017
- 4Contact-Implicit Direct Collocation With a Discontinuous Velocity State12 citations · 2022
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