Ayanna Howard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ayanna Howard
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| Born | January 24, 1972 |
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| Doctoral advisor | George A. Bekey |
Ayanna MacCalla Howard, born on January 24, 1972, is an amazing American scientist. She builds robots, starts new businesses, and teaches others. Currently, she is the leader, or dean, of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University. In March 2021, Dr. Howard made history by becoming the first woman to hold this important position.
Before joining Ohio State, Dr. Howard held several key roles at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She was the head of the School of Interactive Computing and led a special lab called the Human-Automation Systems (Humans) Lab. This lab focused on how people and robots can work together.
Contents
Becoming a Robot Expert
Early Interests and Schooling
When Ayanna Howard was a young girl, she loved thinking about aliens and robots. Her favorite TV show was The Bionic Woman, which featured a super-powered woman. This early interest sparked her journey into science and technology.
Dr. Howard studied engineering at Brown University, earning her first degree in 1993. She then went on to get two more advanced degrees, a Master's and a Ph.D., in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. She finished her Ph.D. in 1999.
For her Ph.D. research, she explored how robots could help sort hospital waste safely. This work showed her dedication to using technology to solve real-world problems. Later, she also earned a business degree, an MBA, from Claremont Graduate University.
A Career in Robotics and AI
Developing Smart Technology
Dr. Howard's early interest in artificial intelligence (AI) led her to a job at Axcelis Inc. There, she helped create "Evolver," a smart computer program, and "Brainsheet," a type of AI developed with Microsoft. These tools were designed to help computers learn and solve problems.
From 1993 to 2005, Dr. Howard worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This is a famous place where scientists build robots for space exploration! She held several important roles, including a senior researcher for robots.
Teaching and Leading at Georgia Tech
In 2005, Dr. Howard became a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. She also started her own lab, the Human-Automation Systems (Humans) Lab. This lab focused on how robots and people can work together smoothly and effectively. She also helped lead the robotics Ph.D. program. By 2017, she became the head of the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech.
Innovations and Impact
One of Dr. Howard's most famous projects involved her "SnoMote" robots in 2008. These robots were sent to the Antarctic to study how global warming affects ice. This work helped scientists understand our planet better.
In 2013, she started her own company called Zyrobotics. This company creates fun and helpful therapy and educational products for children with special needs. It shows how technology can make a real difference in people's lives.
Dr. Howard has written many scientific papers and books. She also holds four patents for her inventions. She is recognized as a "fellow" by important groups like the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This means she is highly respected in her field.
Leading at Ohio State University
In 2020, Dr. Howard discussed how companion robots could help people feel less lonely during times of social distancing. This showed her forward-thinking ideas about how robots can support human well-being.
In March 2021, Dr. Howard took on a new challenge. She became the dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University. This was a historic moment, as she was the first woman to ever lead this college.
In 2021, she received the Athena Lecturer Award for her amazing work in robotics and AI. In June 2022, she was also chosen to be a trustee for Brown University, her former school.
Exploring the World of Robotics
Dr. Howard's Research Focus
Dr. Howard's research explores many exciting areas in robotics and AI. She is especially interested in how humans and robots can work together smoothly. This field is called human-robot interaction.
She also works on robots that help people, such as those used in therapy or for assistance. Her research includes "field robotics," which means robots that work in real-world environments, like the SnoMotes in Antarctica. She also studies how robots can learn, understand their surroundings, and make decisions on their own.
Her work often focuses on creating smart robots that can interact well in a world designed for humans. She has published over 200 scientific papers about her findings.
Awards and Recognition
Honors for Innovation and Leadership
Dr. Howard's many achievements have been featured in over a dozen articles. In 2003, the MIT Technology Review named her one of the top 100 innovators in the world under 35. She was also featured in Time magazine and USA Today for her groundbreaking work.
Some of Dr. Howard's notable awards include:
- Lew Allen Award for Excellence for important technical contributions, 2001
- MIT Technology Review Top 100 Young Innovators of the Year, 2003
- NAE Gilbreth Lectureship, 2010
- A. Richard Newton Educator ABIE Award, Anita Borg Institute, 2014
- Computer Research Association's A. Nico Habermann Award, 2016
- Brown Engineering Alumni Medal (BEAM), 2016
- AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador, 2016-2017
- Atlanta magazine's Women Making a Mark, 2017
- Walker's Legacy #WLPower25 Atlanta Award, 2017
- Forbes America's Top 50 Women In Tech, 2018
- ACM Athena Lecturer Award, 2021
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2021
- IEEE Fellow, 2021, for her work on human-robot interaction systems
- 2023 AAAI/EAAI Patrick Henry Winston Outstanding Educator Award
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