Ayanna Howard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ayanna Howard
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| Born | January 24, 1972 |
| Nationality | American |
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| Doctoral advisor | George A. Bekey |
Ayanna MacCalla Howard (born January 24, 1972) is an American expert in robotics and a successful business owner. She is currently the dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University. When she started this job in March 2021, Dr. Howard became the first woman to lead the Ohio State College of Engineering.
Before this, Dr. Howard was the head of the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. She also held a special teaching position in Bioengineering and directed the Human-Automation Systems (Humans) Lab.
Contents
Becoming a Robotics Expert
Early Life and Education
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 helped shape her future career.
She earned her first degree in engineering from Brown University in 1993. She then went on to get her master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1994 and 1999. Her Ph.D. research focused on how robots could learn to handle objects that change shape. Later, she also earned a business degree from Claremont Graduate University.
Starting Her Career in AI and Robotics
Dr. Howard's early interest in artificial intelligence (AI) led her to a job at Axcelis Inc. There, she helped create Evolver, one of the first commercial programs that used a special kind of AI called a genetic algorithm. She also worked on Brainsheet, an AI program developed with Microsoft.
From 1993 to 2005, she worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She had many important roles there, including being a senior robotics researcher. She even helped manage the office of the chief scientist.
Key Achievements and Innovations
Leading Research and Education
In 2005, Dr. Howard joined Georgia Institute of Technology as a professor. She started the Human-Automation Systems (Humans) lab, where she explored how people and robots can work together. She also helped lead the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines at Georgia Tech. In 2017, she became the chair of the School of Interactive Computing.
Robots for Science and Helping Kids
In 2008, Dr. Howard gained international attention for her amazing SnoMote robots. These robots were designed to travel across the Antarctic ice to study how global warming affects the ice shelves. This research helps scientists understand climate change better.
In 2013, she started her own company called Zyrobotics. This company creates special therapy and educational products for children with unique needs. These products help kids learn and grow.
Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Others
Dr. Howard has written many articles and books about her research. She also holds four patents for her inventions. She is a respected expert in her field, giving many talks and presentations around the world. She is a fellow of important organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
In 2020, during an interview on the radio show Marketplace, Dr. Howard discussed how companion robots could help people feel less lonely during times of social distancing, like during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Becoming a Dean
On March 1, 2021, Dr. Howard officially became the dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University. This was a historic moment, as she is the first woman to hold this important leadership position. In 2022, she was also chosen to be a trustee for Brown University.
Research Focus
Dr. Howard's research explores how humans and robots interact. She also works on robots that help people with disabilities or in rehabilitation. Her work includes developing robots for scientific exploration and understanding how robots can learn and make decisions.
Her research often focuses on creating smart robots that can work well in a world designed for humans. She has published over 200 research papers on topics like intelligent learning, using virtual reality for therapy, and how robots can help children in therapy.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Howard has received many honors and awards for her groundbreaking work. She has been featured in over a dozen articles in major publications.
Some of her notable awards include:
- Lew Allen Award for Excellence (2001) for her important technical contributions.
- Named one of the top 100 young innovators in the world by MIT Technology Review (2003).
- Featured in Time magazine's "Rise of the Machines" article (2004).
- A. Nico Habermann Award (2016) from the Computer Research Association.
- Forbes America's Top 50 Women In Tech (2018).
- ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2021) for her work in robotics, AI, and encouraging more people to join computing fields.
- Named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2021).
- Became an IEEE Fellow (2021) for her contributions to human-robot interaction systems.
- AAAI/EAAI Patrick Henry Winston Outstanding Educator Award (2023).
Images for kids
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A Pioneer 3-AT robot, similar to those used in Dr. Howard's research.
