Gaskell, Peter
Research & Development Engineer, Robotics Institute
Peter Gaskell is a Research & Development Engineer for the Robotics Institute and a laboratory instructor for ROB550 Robotics Systems Laboratory course. In addition to teaching, he designs and builds robotics platforms for both education and research. He has worked in a wide array of research labs in diverse fields such as Astrophysics, Atomic Optics, Nanoelectronics, Materials Science and Robotics. He is the co-founder and principle designer for a professional audio company and has designed equipment used to record multiple Grammy Award winning albums. He is also on the technical advisory board for a Montréal based start-up focused on using nanomaterials to improve sound quality and efficiency of transducers for the consumer electronics industry. He holds a BS in Physics from the University of Oregon, and earned his MEng and PhD in Electrical Engineering from McGill University where his dissertation focussed on advanced nanomaterials for lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries.
Mann, Kimberly
Unit Administrator, Robotics Institute
Kimberly Mann is the Robotics Institute Unit Administrator. Prior to her role as Unit Administrator, Kimberly worked as a research administrator for the Computer Science and Engineering Division at U-M, and as a program coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ Van of Enchantment (now Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum) prior to that. She holds a MS in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico, and is a Certified Research Administrator. Outside the office Kimberly can be found on the volleyball court, cooking up a storm, and spending time with her family.
Provost, Damen
Managing Director, Robotics Institute
Damen Provost is the Managing Director of the Robotics Institute at the University of Michigan. Mr. Provost has project management and systems engineering experience on a wide range of NASA, DOD, commercial, and university autonomous vehicle and satellite systems. Prior to this position, Mr. Provost was the senior project manager at the Space Physics Research Laboratory and the University of Michigan Project Manager for NASA’s 8 microsatellite Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS), launched in December 2016. He has held leadership positions within the aerospace industry and the United States Air Force. He holds a BS in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Rochester and MS in Space Systems from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Sobek, Sarah
Graduate Coordinator, Robotics Institute
Sarah hails from Madison, WI. She received her MA in Higher Education from the University of Michigan. Prior to her role as Graduate Program Coordinator, Sarah worked as an academic advisor and consulted on data analysis for accreditation and departmental initiatives with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at U-M. In addition to her interest in data and analysis, Sarah has a passion for engineering education research. Sarah also enjoys baking, volleyball, and spending time getting lost outside. Her favorite thing about Ann Arbor is a leisurely, coffee-filled Saturday morning at the Kerrytown farmer's market.