We are seeking to build a lab with dynamic students and researchers of diverse backgrounds and skillsets who are passionate for developing robotic systems and algorithms that will have high societal impact. We are interested in robotics applications including autonomous navigation, environmental monitoring, healthcare, rehabilitation, search and rescue, and urban air mobility.


Lab Diversity Statement

At MPALA Lab we are dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment. We recognize that minorities and under-represented groups, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and native Americans have been historically marginalized and overlooked. We firmly believe that some of the most important breakthrough discoveries and impactful contributions in research originate from diverse groups with out-of-the-box thinking.

To support this mission, we commit to:
  • Building and maintaining a diverse group of people by welcoming individuals regardless of national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgender status), color, race, religion, class, cultural background, age, or disabilities
  • Striving to secure funding for all of our students and researchers
  • Providing mentorship and access to educational resources to all our lab members
  • Helping students develop their self-confidence and at the same time conveying that the lab is a place of mutual respect
  • Educating all group members on cultural norms to create a respectful and inclusive environment

Team Members

Principal Investigator

George P. Kontoudis
Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Mines
george.kontoudis@mines.edu
CV



Graduate Students

Sanket Salunkhe
PhD Student, Colorado School of Mines
MS New York University
Multi-robot learning
Webpage

Mykola Mazur
PhD Student (jointly with Anthony Petrella), Colorado School of Mines
MS National Aviation University
Wearable robotics
LinkedIn


Undergraduate Students

Remi Jones
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Robot hands
LinkedIn

Elijah Paiz, Harvey Scholar
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Robot hands
LinkedIn

Jude Ortiz
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Dual-arm manipulation
LinkedIn

Evan Pacic, FIRST Scholar '25
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Robotic mechanisms
LinkedIn

Arael Anaya, SURF Scholar '25
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Multi-robot systems
LinkedIn

Olivia Franklin, Grewcock Presidential Scholar
BS Student, Colorado School of Mines

Control systems
LinkedIn


Alumni

  • Ross Hodson, SURF and MURF Scholar '24 (next appointment: MS student)

Join the MPALA Lab

We are always happy to discuss about research opportunities in our lab, but please do not stop by the lab or Dr. Kontoudis' office without coordinating first via email. Potential students and researchers should be familiar with our work (see Research and Publications pages) and justify their research interests. If you are interested in joining our lab, send us an email at george.kontoudis@mines.edu prior submitting your application and include the following items.
  • Title: Interested in joining the MPALA Lab
  • Express interest in a specific job opening (if any)
  • Research background and experience including any projects that you participated and/or publications (even work in progress)
  • Research interests including some publications that you liked from our lab (see Publications page)
  • Attach your CV, publications, and transcripts