Jiefeng Sun

Jiefeng Sun is bringing his passion for teaching and cutting-edge research to his role as an assistant professor in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Driven by a passion for teaching and cutting-edge research, Sun aims to shape the minds of future engineers at ASU.

Sun’s research focuses on developing robots with adaptability comparable to humans and animals. He highlights that integrated compliance, actuation, and sensing are the key components. His research lab explores innovative approaches using artificial muscles and advanced control strategies to achieve human-like adaptability in robots.Sun’s academic journey has been marked by numerous accolades, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, Riser Award , and the IEEE Dynamics Systems and Control Division, or DSCD, Rising Star 2022 Award for his exceptional contributions to dynamics and control. Sun was also acknowledged as the Reviewer of the Year 2021 by the Smart Materials and Structures Journal for his commitment to peer collaboration and scholarly advancement.

Sun was drawn to ASU for its strong engineering research. In the Fulton Schools, he will channel his passion for teaching and research into classroom leadership and research lab direction. 

“Teaching has been my passion since childhood,” Sun says. “Even during elementary school, I would enthusiastically take on the role of a teacher during playtime with other kids. As I progressed to becoming a graduate student, my appreciation for the significance of being an exceptional teacher only grew.”

He plans to use his expertise in robotics to guide students through captivating courses that delve into the intricacies of robotics principles, programming, control systems, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

“I am eager to be the kind of teacher who can significantly improve their learning journey, making it smoother and more rewarding,” Sun says. “My dedication to teaching stems from the belief that a skilled and supportive teacher can make a substantial difference in students’ academic and personal growth.”

Sun’s passion for robotics was ignited during his college years due to the allure of creating intelligent machines that transcend human capabilities fuels his dedication to this ever-evolving field. 

“The allure of robotics lies in its dynamic and ever-evolving nature,” Sun says. “It presents constant challenges that push the boundaries of what we can achieve. The quest to enhance the capabilities of robots, enabling them to perform tasks more efficiently and autonomously, continues to inspire and captivate me.”

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Hannah Weisman