Dr. Ahalya Ravendran

Robotics Researcher

Summary

Creative and impact-driven researcher in Robotics, Computer Vision, and AI with a PhD in Engineering & IT (University of Sydney) and international experience across academia and industry. Skilled at combining imagination with technical rigor to design novel AI-enabled robotic systems, burst-imaging pipelines for low-light 3D reconstruction to insect digitisation platforms.

Recognised with multiple fellowships, international awards, and publications at ICRA, IROS, and ACM, I bring proven expertise in building research that translates into practical innovation and startup opportunities.


Core Strengths

  • Creative Problem Solving – Developed state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction and panoptic segmentation pipelines.
  • Exploration & Innovation – Pioneered projects bridging simulation and real-world robotics (e.g., drone LiDAR point cloud analysis).
  • Leadership & Mentorship – Supervised students, mentored SMEs globally, and served on IEEE Women in Engineering Executive Committee.
  • Communication & Outreach – Speaker at Google I/O, PhyFron, WomenTechmakers Ambassador, and science communicator.
  • Global Perspective – Proven track record of leading projects and partnerships with institutions and collaborators worldwide.

Career Journey

Current Role

CSIRO – Early Career Research Fellow
Working on AI-enabled robotics for laboratory automation and scientific discovery under the Science Digital Programme.

Past Roles

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow – in collaboration with Australian Centre for Robotics and SCION, New Zealand
  • Teaching Experience – Tutor at the University of Sydney (Australia),Thammasat University (Thailand) and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
  • Research Engineering Intern – Orange Electric and SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka

Education

PhD in Engineering and Information Technology

Australian Centre for Robotics, The University of Sydney
Faculty of Engineering Research Scholarship

MSc in Engineering and Technology

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Thailand
Excellent Foreign Student Scholarship

BSc in Mechatronics Engineering

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
The Best Overall Performance Award


Awards & Recognition

  • IEEE Young Professional Fellowship (2023)
  • University of Sydney Career Advancement Award (2023)
  • IEEE ITSS Young Fellowship Award (2022)
  • Eurasia Young Research Scholarship (2019)
  • Multiple international competition and conference prizes

Professional Activities

  • Remote Drone Pilot – CASA, Australia
  • WomenTechmakers Ambassador - Google
  • IEEE Women in Engineering Executive Committee (NSW, 2021–2023)

Publications & Collaborations

  • Author of 10+ papers across RA-L, ICRA, IROS, ACM, and more.
  • Active collaborations in robotics, AI, and computer vision with academia, startups, and industry partners.

Professional Resume [updated on 1st Sept. 2025)