Xinyan Deng

Xinyan Deng is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University and director of the Bio-Robotics Lab, where her research investigates the principles that govern aerial and aquatic locomotion in biological organisms. By combining experimental fluid mechanics, dynamical modeling, and control theory, her work seeks to understand how insects, birds, and aquatic species generate lift, maneuver, and maintain stability under complex flow conditions. These insights form the foundation for the design of bio-inspired micro aerial vehicles, flapping-wing robots, underwater robots, and autonomous sensing platforms. Deng’s group develops experimental testbeds for studying unsteady aerodynamics, leading-edge vortex dynamics, wing flexibility effects, and multimodal sensing for locomotion control. Her research also explores biologically inspired sensing strategies, including bio-sensing and sensor fusion algorithms for robust perception in dynamic environments. Prior to joining Purdue, she earned her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and completed undergraduate studies at Tianjin University. Her contributions in biomechanics, robotic flight, and bio-inspired systems have been recognized with an NSF CAREER Award and multiple distinctions in robotics and engineering education. Her work continues to bridge biology and engineering to create next-generation aerial and aquatic robotic systems.