# Emily Hannigan

> PhD Robotic/Machine Learning Scientist

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/emilyhannigan

## Work Experience
### Software Engineer II @ Bear Robotics
Jan 2024 – Present
* Implementing navigation algorithms for autonomous serving robots

### Graduate Research Assistant @ Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Jan 2016 – Jan 2023
I completed my PhD in the Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Lab advised by Matei Ciocarlie. During my PhD I investigated multiple aspects of robot learning and control. My initial work focused on using iLQR to generate snake gait locomotion in a simulated snake with minimal parameter tuning. From there, I moved on to developing methods of improving the long term accuracy of data driven forward models for use in model-based and model-free reinforcement learning.

### Applied Scientist I Intern @ Amazon
Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | Seattle, Washington, United States
During my internship I explored the use of differentiable simulators as a way to co-optimize control policies and hardware parameters.

### Engineering Intern @ Applied Minds
Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | Burbank, CA
-Developed system to extract and parse NMEA 2000 sensor data 
-Improved architecture of software for large system that integrates many sensory systems all with unique protocols
-Restored haptic knob by installing ARM development board, redesigning firmware, and modifying ARM libraries

### Engineering Project Manager Intern @ Northrop Grumman Corporation
Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Rolling Meadows IL
As an intern I was involved in a myriad of projects. The most complex projects include
-Optimizing the analysis of product information using VBA in Excel in order to asses a critical situation
-Supervising the development of a software engineering project to parse large amounts of test results in order to obtain crucial data

### Tutor @ Private Tutor
Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | Plymouth, MN
I aided a young student in preparation for 6th grade by reviewing and solidifying his 5th grade math and reading skills throughout the summer.

### High School Research @ SciMent
Jan 2011 – Jan 2012 | University of Minnesota
I conducted my own experiments to test methods of nanoparticle dissolution into water. I competed in the Twin Cities regional Science Fair and continued to the Minnesota State Science Fair


## Education
### Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
Columbia University

### Bachelor of Science - BS in Electrical Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

### Wayzata High School


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/emilyjhannigan

---
Source: https://flows.cv/emilyhannigan
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/emilyhannigan/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-11