Susan Finger

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About

Susan Finger is a pioneering researcher whose work bridges engineering design, robotics, and equity in STEM. Her key research areas include product life-cycle engineering, design theory, and broadening participation in engineering. Finger’s most notable contribution is her work on "Design Fusion," which introduced a product life-cycle view for engineering designs—a framework that integrates manufacturing, assembly, and environmental considerations early in the design process. This highly cited paper (23 citations) has influenced how engineers approach sustainable and efficient design. Beyond technical contributions, Finger has been a leader in diversity and inclusion, co-authoring a 2020 report on workshops aimed at increasing the number of women and minorities in engineering design (5 citations). Over her 26-year career, she has also conducted research in intelligent and autonomous robotic systems, innovative mechanisms, and controls for automation, space robotics, and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Finger’s work not only advances engineering theory but also actively shapes a more inclusive and socially responsible engineering community, making her a role model for students and researchers alike.