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About

Richard F. Drushel is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work bridges engineering education, autonomous robotics, and biomechanics. Best known for pioneering the use of LEGO-based autonomous robotics in undergraduate education, his 1999 paper "Using Autonomous Robotics to Teach Science and Engineering" has accumulated over 200 citations, establishing him as an influential voice in hands-on STEM pedagogy. His approach places students from diverse engineering and science disciplines in collaborative, problem-solving environments that mirror real-world design challenges — a model he has refined across nearly two decades of teaching. Beyond education, Drushel has contributed meaningfully to biomechanical research, particularly in studying the feeding mechanisms of the marine mollusk *Aplysia californica*. His 2019 investigation into soft-surface grasping through radular mechanics bridges biological systems and robotics, offering insights relevant to soft robotics design. More recently, Drushel has tackled questions of accessibility and remote learning in robotics education, adapting his celebrated practicum for distance learning formats. His sustained commitment to making autonomous robotics education both rigorous and inclusive reflects a career dedicated to connecting engineering practice with innovative, student-centered pedagogy.