I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota where I am advised by Prof. Maria L. Gini. I received my bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Addis Ababa Institute of Technology. My interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing.

NextGen AI Lab

Our Multi-Agent Research Group

As the lead of the Multi-Agent Research Group at the University of Minnesota, I oversee a dedicated team specializing in multi-agent systems. Our research focuses on distributed decision-making for autonomous agents and robots, covering areas such as task allocation, exploration of unknown environments, teamwork for search and rescue, and navigation in dense crowds. We are committed to advancing artificial intelligence through innovative research and collaboration. I also served as Team Lead for the Farm Robotics Challenge (farmroboticschallenge.ai/air).

Multi-Agent Research Group

Research Publications

IEEE ICRA 2026
Model-Free Subsurface Anomaly Detection using Subspace Analysis Techniques for Sparse Telemetry for Extraterrestrial Drilling Robots

Accepted at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Vienna, Austria.

Paper
IEEE ICRA Workshop 2025
Geofenced Unmanned Aerial Robotic Defender for Deer Detection and Deterrence (GUARD)

Presented at the Novel Approaches for Precision Agriculture and Forestry with Autonomous Robots workshop at IEEE ICRA 2025.

Paper
ARMS at AAMAS 2024
Multi-agent Path Finding Using Time-Extended Graphs with Auctions

Presented at the ARMS workshop at AAMAS 2024.

Paper
MASSpace'24 at AAMAS 2024
Understanding Drill Data for Autonomous Application

Presented at the MASSpace'24 at AAMAS 2024.

Paper
IEEE IROS 2023
Autonomy and Dignity for Elderly Using Socially Assistive Technologies

Presented at the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems Workshop 2023.

Paper
IEEE IROS 2023
Ethical Robot Design Considerations for Individuals Suffering from a Neurodegenerative Disease

Presented at the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems Workshop 2023.

Paper
AAAI SIAIA 2023
What We Know So Far: Artificial Intelligence in African Healthcare

Presented at the AAAI International Workshop on the Social Impact of AI for Africa.

Paper
ACM IUI 2022
Emotion Recognition in Conversations Using Brain and Physiological Signals

Presented at the ACM International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces 2022.

Paper

Building research communities

Workshop Organization

I help organize forums that bring researchers together around emerging challenges in multi-robot collaboration and contact-rich robotics.

Co-organizer IEEE/RSJ IROS 2026 · Pittsburgh

Tightly Coupled Physical Interaction and Collaboration in Multi-Robot Systems

Bringing together planning, control, and learning researchers to advance physically grounded multi-robot collaboration.

Visit workshop Lead organizer CoRL 2026 · Austin

Contact-Rich Loco-Manipulation

Exploring whole-body control, planning, and learning for robots that move through and physically interact with complex environments.

Visit workshop

Professional and Academic Experiences

Milwaukee ToolMachine Learning Engineering Intern, Milwaukee Tool (AET)

May 2025 – Aug 2025
Brookfield, WI
Contributed to machine learning and robotics projects within the Advanced Engineering Technologies team, supporting intelligent systems for next-generation power tools and automation solutions.

L’SPACEL’SPACE Mission Concept Academy

2024 – Present
Data and Command Handling (CDH) for Lunar Exploration Mission, leading subsystem trade studies and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the lunar mission.

NASANASA Ames Research Collaboration

2023 – 2024
Collaborated on drill data analysis for fault detection and autonomy using ML techniques.

University of MinnesotaResearch Assistant, University of Minnesota

2022 – Present
Researching topics in Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) and Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Worked on autonomous robots, including manipulation tasks with Kinova and navigation tasks with Boston Dynamics Spot.

University of MinnesotaTeaching Assistant, University of Minnesota

2022 – Present
I was a TA for Robotics (CSCI 5551), Operating Systems (CSCI 4061), Machine Architecture and Organization (CSCI 2021), Linear Algebra (2023), and Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers (CSCI 1113).

SafaricomLead QA, Safaricom

2022
Integrated enterprise systems with S&D. Trained over 100 users and optimized workflows for efficiency.

Empathic Computing LabResearch Intern, Empathic Computing Lab

2021
Analyzed physiological signals (PPG, GSR) for emotion recognition using machine learning.

University of MichiganResearch Intern, University of Michigan

2019 – 2020
Conducted bottleneck analysis of RL algorithms, optimizing CPU usage and execution time.

Highlighted Projects

Drill Data Analysis for Autonomy

In high-risk, high-cost environments like Mars, it is essential for robotic agents to anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate into mission-critical failures. The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) is a rotary percussive 1-meter class drill developed by Honeybee Robotics for NASA. TRIDENT is slated for deployment in lunar missions such as the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) and the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), both scheduled for launch in 2024.

To enhance TRIDENT's operational reliability, we analyzed logged data from previous field tests to better understand potential drilling faults that the system may encounter. By applying time series analysis techniques, we identified trends in the data during fault occurrences. Additionally, we employed change point analysis and other machine learning methods to predict potential faults, enabling TRIDENT to respond proactively to drilling anomalies.

TRIDENT Drill Data Analysis
ICRA 2026
Accepted Paper Highlight

Our latest NASA drilling autonomy work was accepted at IEEE ICRA 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

This paper introduces a model-free subsurface anomaly detection method using time-series subspace analysis on sparse drilling telemetry, enabling online fault detection under mission compute and energy constraints. The method is validated on an extraterrestrial drilling robot in controlled lab tests and a Mars-analog field deployment; You can find the video below and the paper.

FarmGuard drones operating over agricultural fields

Farm Robotics Challenge

AI-LEAF Institute

FarmGuard: Multi-Robot Deer Deterrence

Following our autonomy work with NASA, I led the University of Minnesota’s FarmGuard team in applying robotics to a challenge closer to home: protecting crops. Our aerial multi-robot system combines computer vision, autonomous path planning, and coordinated field patrols to detect and safely deter deer.

Developed in collaboration with a local farmer, FarmGuard won the Excellence in Small Farm Technology Award at the 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge.

My Research at Empathic Computing Lab

During my time at the Empathic Computing Lab, I explored how physiological signals, such as PPG and GSR, change in response to various emotional stimuli. Using both machine learning and deep learning models, I worked on recognizing emotions in human conversations.

This research culminated in a presentation at the International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (IUI) 2022, showcasing our findings on emotion recognition in conversations using brain and physiological signals. You can access the published paper here.

View Project on GitHub Google Scholar Access Paper
Empathic Computing Lab Research

Selected work

Explore the Project Archive

Robotics, multi-agent learning, perception, simulation, and human-centered AI, now collected in one dedicated space.

View All Projects

Message from My Student

Here’s a kind note of appreciation I received from one of my students.

Community Outreach Activities

As a representative of the Minnesota Robotics Institute (MnRI), I have participated in various community outreach events, promoting robotics and STEM education.

Centennial School Summer Academy

Centennial School Summer Academy

Engaged students in robotics activities to broaden their perspectives on technology and innovation.

World Refugee Day Celebration

World Refugee Day Celebration

Represented MnRI at the event, collaborating with the Afghan Refugee community to promote STEM education among refugees.

Advanced Automation Conference at MN Convention Center

Advanced Automation Conference

Discussed the latest advancements in robotics and automation technologies while representing MnRI at the conference.

MnRI Tech Camp with MAWA

MnRI Tech Camp with MAWA

Collaborated with the Minnesota African Women's Association to introduce young women to technology and robotics through hands-on activities.

Day Camp Collaboration with SLHS Department

Day Camp Collaboration with SLHS Department

Organized a camp featuring Ozobots and Simple Circuits to provide engaging STEM learning experiences for children.

Professional Involvements

Explore my roles and contributions in various organizations and initiatives.

AI Research Lab

Member of the CS-IDEA Committee

(2024-2025) I am serving as part of the Computer Science Inclusiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (CS-IDEA) Committee in computer science.

AI Research Lab

Treasurer of the Computer Science Graduate Students Association (CSGSA)

(2023-2024) Serving as Treasurer, I manage financial operations to support initiatives that enhance the graduate student experience in the Computer Science department.

AI Research Lab

Graduate Student Coordinator

(2024-2025) In this role, I facilitate communication and organize events to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for graduate students in the Computer Science department.

AI Research Lab

Mentor at IAAMCS

Mentor at the Institute for African-American Mentoring in Computing Sciences (IAAMCS), supporting African-American students in computing sciences through guidance and advocacy.