Kia Elected as Newkirk Faculty Fellow

Solmaz Kia is one of 10 Newkirk Faculty Fellows selected this year.

Feb. 22, 2024 - Solmaz Kia, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was named a 2024 Newkirk Faculty Fellow by the Newkirk Center for Science and Society. She is one of 10 fellows selected this year to join the center as a scholar in residence.

The Newkirk Center for Science and Society is a UC Irvine-based center that focuses on the relationship between science and society by exploring how scientific knowledge is communicated to the public through research support and public outreach. The faculty fellowship creates a space for crossdisciplinary interaction, increases the visibility of its scholars’ activities and builds a community around the center’s mission.

Kia’s research focuses on control systems and cooperative robotics, specifically the decision making and estimation theory applicable to networked systems such as multirobot motion planning and navigation. Through her interaction with the diverse group of Newkirk fellows, Kia aims to explore novel avenues for research that yield societal benefits.

“I plan to spark enthusiasm for STEM and engineering within the broader community, particularly among youth, by demonstrating how the research contributes to advancements in cyberphysical and robotic systems,” said Kia.

– Lilith Christopher

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