Jake Welde: Geometry, Design, and Control for Robotics

Jake Welde is an Assistant Professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. Prior to joining MAE at Cornell, he spent a decade at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his undergraduate and doctoral degrees Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics and his masters in Robotics. His PhD thesis, “Geometric Methods for Efficient and Explainable Control of Underactuated Robotic Systems”, was supervised by Vijay Kumar in the GRASP Laboratory.

In his research, Jake explores the role of differential geometry and dynamical systems theory in control synthesis and design for robotic systems, exploiting structural properties to explainably synthesize efficient controllers, accelerate learning algorithms, and develop more capable robot morphologies. He envisions a future in which robots move through their surroundings as capably and dynamically as their counterparts in Nature.

In the classroom, Jake enjoys teaching abstract ways of thinking through hands-on experiences. He is also passionate about protecting the natural miracles of our one and only Earth, working towards a world that recognizes the intrinsic dignity and equality of all people, and furthering our collective understanding of Nature for the benefit of all. Outside work, Jake loves spending time outdoors, cooking spicy food, and playing fetch with his dog Sprout.

Curriculum Vitae (Summer 2025)

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