I came from Adigrat, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where I was born into a large family that prioritizes education and learning. They provided me with plenty of support, be it financial assistance, tutoring, or other forms of aid, throughout my academic journey. During my primary and high school years, I developed a deep affection for mathematics and physics. As time progressed, my interest grew towards the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering, which I found fascinating upon exploring specific topics.

When I enrolled in Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, I was happy to discover that they had recently launched a new program in electromechanical engineering that aligned perfectly with my interests and preferred subjects. Without second thought, I selected this course and thoroughly enjoyed it, immersing myself in various electrical and mechanical courses. During my undergraduate studies, robotics and automation systems caught my attention, piquing my interest.

Following graduation, I worked as an electromechanical professional in some organizations in Ethiopia. However, I aspired for a better academic opportunity abroad, which I actively pursued.

Skoltech was even more fascinating to me than it had been described. The quality of education, research activities, collaborative team in the Intelligent Space Robotics (ISR) lab, industrial immersion program, stipend, and English medium of instruction were all very appealing. For instance, the courses I took, such as robotics, control systems engineering, systems engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship, and other engineering courses, were engaging. The instructors effectively conveyed fundamental concepts and allowed for practical application in lab settings during the course.

Additionally, the research opportunities were great. I had the chance to work on various mini and research projects involving different robots, including universal collaborative robots and industrial robots, providing me with valuable hands-on experience. Through Skoltech's industrial immersion internship program, I also had the opportunity to work on a project in industry.

Furthermore, the support I received from the team in the ISR lab, particularly my former supervisor, Professor Dzmitry Tsetserukou, was invaluable throughout my two-year master's program and beyond. He provided the necessary materials and advice to help me achieve my goals. Overall, the quality of education, well-equipped labs, hands-on research activities, and supportive professors and students were some of the aspects that I thoroughly enjoyed about Skoltech.

I am currently in my first year as a PhD student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), School of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Center for Advanced Manufacturing. UTS is a popular and highly-regarded university in Australia, providing students with opportunities to develop in various areas, including research, professionalism, leadership, and impact. Having said that, my doctoral research focuses on supporting manufacturing companies and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by facilitating the integration of collaborative robots (Cobots) into their production environments. As Cobots become increasingly safe, cost-effective, and simple to use, the demand for their adoption is on the rise. However, the success of human-robot collaboration in the workplace largely depends on the overarching design of the workspace. As a researcher in this field, my task is to address the challenges associated with cobot adoption by implementing an integrated design approach that considers people, cobots, the workplace, and products.

My PhD project Design Factors: Integrated Design of Collaborative Robots, Products, and Manufacturing Environments is part of the Australian Cobotics Center (ACC) initiatives that involve the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Swinburne University of Technology (SUT), and UTS. ACC seeks to enhance the Australian manufacturing industry's competitiveness and transform it through cobot deployment. Currently, I am in the research clarification phase, gathering information from literature and industry partners. Additionally, I have weekly meetings with my supervisor and fortnightly meetings and seminars with diverse scholars from the three universities and industry partners, which is beneficial for exchanging ideas and tracking my project's progress. Overall, I am content with my research progress and have a positive outlook.

My future goal is to become a researcher and entrepreneur who specializes in the implementation of cobots in manufacturing companies. To achieve this, I have devised a plan to dedicate myself to my research and gain expertise in the application of cobots in advanced manufacturing, Industry 5.0, and other relevant sectors. Along with research, I also intend to develop my skills in other domains such as entrepreneurship, and professional networking.