Hi there! I'm Francisco Ramirez Serrano, a passionate engineer and researcher currently pursuing my PhD at MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. My focus lies in the fascinating world of microrobots, with a particular interest in self-replicating systems that have the potential to revolutionize robotics and give us insights into the origin of life.
I hold a Master’s in Robotics from EPFL, where I completed my thesis at Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s in Micro-engineering, during which I spent an exchange year at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). These experiences have allowed me to work on a wide range of robotics projects across the globe.
Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of working as a Product Design Engineer at Nothing Technology, refining ergonomic designs for consumer electronics. My time at the Harvard Microrobotics Lab saw the creation of a novel jumping robot, presented at ICRA 2022, and groundbreaking work on millimeter-scale surgical tools with a Harvard start-up.
Outside of the lab, I’m an avid sailor. Sailing has taught me patience, precision, and an appreciation for the harmony between nature and engineering.
Here are some of my publications:
- F. Ramirez Serrano, E. Steinhardt, R. J. Wood: Considerations for the Design and Rapid Manufacturing of Pop-Up MEMS Devices. Adv. Mater. Technol. 2024. doi: 10.1002/admt.202301940
- C. Vourtsis, V. C. Rochel, F. Ramirez Serrano, W. Stewart, D. Floreano: Insect Inspired Self-Righting for Fixed-Wing Drones. IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2021. doi: 10.1109/LRA.2021.3096159
- F. Ramirez Serrano, N. P. Hyun, E. Steinhardt, R. J. Wood: A springtail-inspired multi-modal walking-jumping microrobot. Science Robotics, 2025 (accepted).
Assignment:
- Read, sign the student/instructor/lab agreements, and commit to your repos
- Work through a git tutorial
- Build a personal site in the class archive describing you and your final project