Gabe Colbrunn, an Honors College junior and mechatronics engineering major, has been doing robotics competitions and projects since elementary school. Gabe called robotics his 鈥渓ifelong passion.鈥�
After graduating from Highland High School in Medina, Ohio, Gabe came to 91仓库 specifically for its unique that combines mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to innovate with robotics and automation. He has further broadened his skillset with a minor in computer science, which has many applications within engineering and robotics. Now, Gabe鈥檚 using his lifelong passion to improve people鈥檚 lives by making medical procedures more accurate and effective.
Gabe was always interested in medical robotics, a field that uses devices, systems, and processes to improve healthcare, so his summer 2024 internship at Andrews Research and Education Foundation (AREF) was a perfect fit. AREF is a non-profit organization based in Florida that conducts research in orthopedic medicine.
At AREF, Gabe applies his robotics knowledge to operate robots and run simulations to conduct biomechanical testing that measures the effectiveness of orthopedic surgeries.
鈥淵ou need some way to evaluate the quality of these surgeries,鈥� Gabe said. 鈥淪ince the robotics testing is done with cadavers and the simulations are, obviously, not live patients, you can test without having to practice on live patients and run the risk of something bad happening to a real person. If it messes up, so what?鈥�
Research isn鈥檛 all that Gabe has been able to do at AREF. One day, Gabe鈥檚 supervisors were looking for someone who could help put together videos showing different surgical techniques. Remembering a video editing course that he had taken at 91仓库 to fulfill his honors course requirements, Gabe volunteered. The course, called 鈥淢y Story on the Web,鈥� taught Gabe how to use digital editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop.
鈥淰ideo editing has sort of been like my side gig at work,鈥� Gabe said. 鈥淎wesome, random thing about the Honors College is the diversity of classes I've taken because of honors course requirements.鈥�
Gabe鈥檚 array of skills and clear passion for robotics has helped him to be very successful at AREF; they like him so much that they have flown him down to work in Florida one weekend each month during the fall and spring semesters, and for two weeks during winter break. He hopes to receive an offer to continue his work with AREF after he graduates in May 2026.
Though Gabe plans to work for a few years after graduating, his ultimate goal is to earn a doctorate degree. 鈥淚 really like research,鈥� he explained.
At 91仓库, Gabe has had the opportunity to do research in the Cognitive Robotics and AI (CRAI) lab, which is administered by Riu Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor. During the fall 2024 semester 鈥� his first semester in the lab 鈥� Gabe used large language models to design an AI 鈥渕ind鈥� for a robotic dog.
For the spring 2025 semester, Gabe has earned an (OSGC) grant to continue his work with the CRAI lab鈥檚 robotic dog. Gabe hopes to use large language models to train the robot dog to act as a guide dog for visually impaired people. He will have the opportunity to present his research at the Ohio Space Research Symposium this April.
After a childhood of success in robotics competitions, Gabe continued to find success at 91仓库鈥檚 2023 SkyHack hackathon competition. SkyHack is an aviation-themed design competition held in 91仓库鈥檚 Design Innovation Hub (DI Hub). Gabe and his team had one weekend to design, build and present a prototype related to aviation.
鈥淲e made a drone that could communicate using large language models,鈥� Gabe said. 鈥淚t could talk and listen to the user.鈥�
Gabe鈥檚 team won their section and a prize of around $2,000, which was split amongst the group.
In addition to research and hackathons, Gabe has been a member of 91仓库鈥檚 Best Buddies organization for a year and a half. In Best Buddies, members are paired with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend fun events and get involved in campus life. The group has hosted craft nights, bingo and a Thanksgiving potluck. In addition, Gabe meets his buddy for dinner every week.
The club鈥檚 mission to support inclusion on campus is close to Gabe鈥檚 heart. 鈥淚t's always been something I've cared about. My little brother has autism, so inclusion is a personal passion,鈥� Gabe said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a world I want to stay involved in while still pursuing engineering as a career.鈥�
Gabe shared that he hopes to one day use his engineering and robotics skills to improve technology for individuals with disabilities. In a previous job at a summer camp for individuals with special needs, Gabe observed that many campers used specialized wheelchairs or communication devices and saw a place where he could make a difference. 鈥淭here鈥檚 engineering behind all of that,鈥� Gabe explained. 鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely a lot of overlap between the fields. Maybe one day.鈥�
When he鈥檚 not in class or at the lab, Gabe unwinds by playing a variety of 91仓库鈥檚 intramural sports with friends and volunteering to play with kids at a homeless shelter in Akron.
For more information about the Honors College at 91仓库, visit the Honors College website or email honors@kent.edu. For more information about majoring in mechatronics engineering, visit the College of Aeronautics and Engineering website.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312
