Papers
12
Total Citations
66
H-Index
4
About
Jovana Jovanova is an emerging researcher at the forefront of soft robotics, smart materials, and bio-inspired design, whose work is rapidly gaining recognition across the international robotics community. Her research centers on developing mechanically intelligent systems that harness the adaptive properties of smart materials — particularly shape memory alloys — to create robots capable of navigating complex, unstructured environments. Her highly cited perspective piece "Perspectives on Intelligence in Soft Robotics" (2024, 29 citations) challenges conventional engineering assumptions by advocating for environment-informed robot embodiment, mirroring principles observed in biological organisms. Jovanova has made notable contributions to underwater and offshore robotics, designing soft grippers and shape-morphing structures suited to demanding industrial applications. Her work spans scales and contexts, from space exploration vehicles to transport engineering manipulation systems. Particularly distinctive is her commitment to broadening the field itself: her paper on equality, diversity, and inclusivity in robotics (2024) argues that robotic research must reflect the full diversity of human society to remain relevant and ethical. With a growing publication record and citations accumulating across both technical and societal dimensions of robotics, Jovanova represents a new generation of researchers shaping both what robots can do and who gets to shape them.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Perspectives on Intelligence in Soft Robotics29 citations · 2024
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- 5Design framework for mechanically intelligent bio-inspired grasper4 citations · 2025
- 6Smart Material Actuation of Multi-Locomotion Robot4 citations · 2019
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- 8Programmable structure with shape memory materials for soft robotics2 citations · 2025
- 9Design of a Soft Underwater Gripper With SMA Actuation2 citations · 2023
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