Year Two of The CMU Robotics Institute Pathways Fellowship Program Kicks Off
Pittsburgh, October 1, 2024- The Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Robotics Institute Pathways Fellowship Program, an initiative to nurture diverse talent and foster innovation in robotics has kicked off year two of its programming with a full cohort of seven aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs.
Hosted and curated by the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute, the program provides a unique opportunity for individuals from groups and communities historically underrepresented in technology fields to advance their skills and make a tangible impact on the future of robotics and technology in the Pittsburgh region. The first year of the program successfully graduated five entrepreneurs in May 2024 with the necessary skills to launch and grow an entrepreneurial venture or move into high-impact positions at local startups or established companies.
“Pathways has given me the ability to really pull away from my job and focus on this project. It’s been an amazing resource and pool of networking for me within the robotics landscape. It’s been a truly incredible experience for me as an entrepreneur and someone who’s unfamiliar with this landscape and wanting to understand how to marry my field with technology.”
The Pathways Fellowship is designed to provide the cohort with hands-on experience, mentorship, and resources to pursue their ambitions in the dynamic field of robotics and advance their own entrepreneurial pursuits. Through a nine month entrepreneurial focused curriculum, fellows will take participate in CMU led programming to gain insights into cutting-edge robotics technologies, collaborate with industry experts, and work on their businesses to address real-world challenges in various sectors.
Our 2024-2025 Fellows:
Ajani Adegbindin is a graduate of North Allegheny Senior High School and a current student in the CCAC Mechatronics Engineering program. During his time in the Pathways Fellowship he will be exploring different ways to mitigate the hardware, time, and cost of identifying metals. Ajani looks to implement this process into his own company - Haulin’ Ask LLC.
Georgia Crowther is a graduate of the Master of Science Robotic Systems Development (MRSD) program at CMU and is passionate about environmentally conscious materials and building methods, minimal geometries and structures, and open-source design. During her time in the Pathways Fellowship she plans to continue to evolve her company, the Reclamation Factory, and explore new ways robotics could benefit the recycling industry.
Paul Grech is a current MBA student in the Tepper School of Business at CMU and is passionate about ocean conservation. During his time in the Pathways Fellowship he will explore how robotics can be used to improve ocean conservation efforts and preserve ocean resources for future generations.
Evolone Layne is a recent graduate of Howard University and a current student in the Masters of Human Computer Interaction program at CMU. During the fellowship she plans to further explore her interest in human robot interaction and autonomous robots.
Seun Sule is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a current student in the Masters of Human Computer Interaction program at CMU. During her time time in the fellowship she plans to explore how medical imaging could be improved to increase positive outcomes for those with higher melanin levels.
Olivia Suchko is a graduate of Kent State University and the founder of Olive. Her goal is to democratize made-to-measure clothing utilizing high-end technologies to modernize manufacturing systems. She plans to use her time in the Pathways Fellowship to learn more about robotics in textiles and manufacturing.
Marcos Zegarra is graduate of both IUP and Pitt with degrees in physics and bioengineering. During his time in the Pathways Fellowships he plans to explore his interest in robotics and athletics to find ways that robotics and improve training outcomes.
InnovatePGH is the lead organization for the Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship project as a part of the Region's $62.7 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge award.
Media Contacts:
Peter Kerwin
Director, Media Relations, Carnegie Mellon University
Bethany Wallace
Communications Director, InnovatePGH
(530) 721-3812