Meet MEC PhD Student: Nicholas Baiata

For Nicholas Baiata, a PhD student in Stony Brook University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and a member of Professor Nilanjan Chakraborty’s Interacting Robotic Systems Laboratory, a childhood interest in robots has grown into a passion for advancing the future of robotics.

A Smithtown, NY native, Nick began his Stony Brook journey with plans to complete the 4+1 master’s program before deciding to continue toward a PhD. “I really enjoyed doing research work while completing my master’s,” he said, which inspired him to stay and pursue doctoral research.

Nick’s research focuses on robotic manipulation and automation. “Generally speaking, automation involves designing a machine that is extremely efficient at a single task. In robotics, we are interested in designing a machine which can perform a wide variety of tasks,” he explained. His current work centers on developing a highly dexterous robotic hand, a key component for enabling more complex robotic manipulation.

Growing up near campus, Nick was familiar with Stony Brook. “Being from Long Island, SBU has always been on my radar,” he said. “It is a very well regarded school here, and with the in-state tuition plus academic scholarships, it is nearly impossible to beat in terms of value.”

His interest in Mechanical Engineering came from a love of both robotics and design. “I have been interested in robots since I was little,” Nick said. While robotics can be studied through several engineering fields, he was drawn to MEC because of his interest in “design/CAD work, as well as classical mechanics.”

Nick has especially enjoyed the opportunities provided by the department’s graduate courses and senior design experience. “Many class final projects can feel limited due to the various resource constraints, but this is not the case with senior design,” he said, highlighting the year-long project experience, mentorship, and resources available to students.

Outside of the lab, Nick enjoys golfing, going to the beach, and visiting friends in New York City. Some of his favorite Stony Brook memories come from exploring campus with friends, spending time in Tabler Quad, and competing in League of Legends tournaments hosted by the university’s gaming club.

His advice for prospective Mechanical Engineering students is simple: “Buy more pens/pencils than you think you need. You can never have too many. Maybe an extra TI-36X calculator as well…”

After completing his PhD, Nick hopes to continue working in robotics. “There are many great robotics companies out there,” he said. “I would be happy anywhere I can continue to work on robotic manipulation and automation.”