University of Minnesota · Electrical & Computer Engineering
Salapaka Lab
Conduct fundamental research in systems, controls and networks area, and enable applications using control systems perspectives. Bridge the systems and controls area with basic sciences — physics and biology at the small scale — and enable solutions to grand challenges facing humankind, with a current focus on sustainable energy.
Research areas
Four applied programs — sustainable energy, nanoscience, systems biology, and machine learning — grounded in a common set of theoretical foundations.
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Theoretical Foundations
UmbrellaControl theory, network structure and causal discovery, distributed optimization, nonlinear dynamics, thermodynamics at the small scale.
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Machine Learning & Data-Driven Methods
Data-driven modeling with physics priors; RL for grid security; sample-complexity-optimal learning of networks.
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Sustainable Energy & Power Systems
Distributed control, grid-forming inverters, cyber-secure microgrids, and renewable integration.
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Nanoscience & Instrumentation
AFM, optical tweezers, probe-based data storage, and quantitative real-time nano-imaging.
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Single-Molecule and Cellular Biophysics
Motor proteins, cargo transport, force spectroscopy of dystrophin and utrophin, and the biophysics of cellular systems studied one molecule at a time.
Working with the lab
Three ways to engage: as a prospective student, as an industry partner, or as a peer researcher.
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Prospective students
For students interested in joining as PhDs or postdocs — research directions we take on, prerequisites, how to apply.
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Companies
Sponsored research, consulting, joint proposals, and licensing across the five research areas. Alumni at Google, Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, KLA-Tencor, Cymer, Enphase, NREL, Tesla, Skyworks, GE Research, IBM Research Zurich; faculty at Swansea, UMN Twin-Cities, IISc Bengaluru, CIMAT.
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Peer researchers
Recent papers, all filterable by area, with per-paper permalinks, DOIs, and copy-BibTeX.
Recent highlights
Awards, graduations, alumni placements, and other happenings from the group.
News items will render here once the highlights collection is populated in Session 5.