Jialei Shi
Research Associate at Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery, Imperial College London .

I received Ph.D. degree in Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering from the University College London, UK in February 2024. My research sits at the intersection of soft robotics, mechatronic system design and integration, and the development of fundamental models to better understand their behaviour — with a strong emphasis on healthcare applications such as minimally invasive surgery and haptic feedback systems.
I bring extensive hands-on experience in the design, modelling, and control of soft robotic systems, grounded in a solid foundation across mechanical and electronic engineering. My work has been recognized internationally, including selection as an RSS Pioneer (2024), receipt of the IEEE RA-L Outstanding Reviewer Award (2025). I (co)-authored multiple publications in leading robotics journals such as IEEE Transactions on Robotics (T-RO), The International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR), and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (T-Mech).
I aim to bridge engineering innovation with translational clinical impact by developing cutting-edge and intelligent robotic platforms for next-generation medical technologies.
news
Oct 14, 2025 | Two first-authored TRO papers in the same year! My second T-RO paper on soft continuum robot is accepted! |
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Jul 12, 2025 | My paper on soft growing robot is accepted by the T-RO! |
Jun 06, 2025 | My Thesis is awarded as runner-up for the 2025 UCL Mechanical Engineering Outstanding PhD Thesis! |
May 13, 2025 | I receive IEEE RA-L Outstanding Reviewer Award (2025)! |
Nov 20, 2024 | I serve as Web/Social Media Chairs for RSS Pioneer 2025! |