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About

Jeref Merlin is a rising leader in the field of soft robotics for minimally invasive medical interventions, with a primary focus on revolutionizing gastrointestinal endoscopy. His most impactful work centers on the design and evaluation of the **SoftSCREEN Capsule for Colonoscopy**, a robotic alternative to conventional colonoscopy that aims to eliminate patient discomfort by reducing the forces exerted on the colon walls. This flagship contribution has already garnered 24 citations since 2023, signaling strong interest from the biomedical engineering community. Merlin has also advanced the state of the art in **intrinsic force sensing for motion estimation** in fluidic soft robots, enabling precise control during endoluminal procedures without the need for dedicated external sensors. His most recent work introduces a **modular hydraulic ring-shaped soft actuator** for sequential tool feeding, a system broadly applicable to confined surgical environments. By tackling the core challenges of force control, sensing, and tool delivery in soft robotics, Merlin is laying the groundwork for a new generation of safer, more patient-friendly diagnostic and therapeutic devices.