About

I am a PhD candidate in Aeronautics at the California Institute of Technology, in the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT). I work on jellyfish biohybrid robotics for ocean exploration, focusing on how animal–robot systems can extend the abilities of traditional ocean observing tools.

My research looks at better methods to collect data in environments that are difficult to access with conventional autonomous underwater vehicles. I am particularly interested in sustainability, conservation, and how improved ocean measurements can support better policy and decision-making.

Before Caltech, I completed a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.A. in Astrophysics at Columbia University, with additional study at Queen Mary University of London. Outside the lab, I enjoy backpacking, scuba diving, and environmental advocacy work.

Email: SimonA@caltech.edu · Google Scholar · LinkedIn · ORCID · Caltech profile

Research

The majority of the ocean’s volume has never been directly observed. Existing platforms for ocean observation often face trade-offs between range, endurance, cost, and sensing capability. My work explores biohybrid approaches that pair live jellyfish with embedded electronics and 3D-printed structures to build scalable platforms for vertical profiling and environmental sensing.

Current themes

  • Biohybrid jellyfish robots for deep-ocean vertical profiling
  • Electromechanical control of jellyfish swimming performance
  • Hydrodynamic and metabolic efficiency of augmented swimmers
  • Payload design and forebody geometry for sensing and control

Selected projects

  • Electromechanical enhancement of live jellyfish: implanted microelectronics and 3D-printed forebodies to increase swimming speed and payload capacity for ocean exploration.
  • Non-invasive metabolic measurements: volumetric laser scanning and computer vision to quantify metabolic rates of free-swimming jellyfish.
  • Jellyfish wake hydrodynamics: 3D 3C scanning PIV to measure wakes and estimate propulsive and metabolic efficiency in a multi-story “vertical treadmill” facility.

Selected Publications

A full and evolving list is available on Google Scholar .

  1. 2025
    Increasing the reliability and versatility of jellyfish biohybrid vehicles via species selection and rhopalia removal
    Simon R. Anuszczyk, Nathan Yoder, John H. Costello, John O. Dabiri, Bradley J. Gemmell, Kelly M. Rutledge, Sean P. Colin
    Biomimetics (to appear)
  2. 2025
    Biohybrid robotic jellyfish for swimming-enhanced vertical ocean profiling
    Kelsi M. Rutledge, Sean P. Colin, John H. Costello, Noa Yoder, Simon R. Anuszczyk, Kelly R. Sutherland, Brad L. Gemmell, John O. Dabiri
    Under review
  3. 2025
    Non-invasive measurement of metabolic rates of free-swimming jellyfish using volumetric laser scanning
    Simon R. Anuszczyk, John O. Dabiri
    bioRxiv preprint
    Preprint
  4. 2024
    Electromechanical enhancement of live jellyfish for ocean exploration
    Simon R. Anuszczyk, John O. Dabiri
    Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 19(2), 026018
    Journal · arXiv · Dataset
  5. 2025
    A non-invasive technique for metabolic rates of free-swimming jellyfish
    S. Anuszczyk, J. Dabiri
    Integrative and Comparative Biology, 65, S18–S18 (conference abstract)
  6. 2024
    Propulsive efficiency of robotically controlled jellyfish for ocean exploration
    SR Anuszczyk, JO Dabiri
    Bulletin of the American Physical Society, DFD Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT
  7. 2023
    Enhanced swimming and physiological limits of robotically controlled Aurelia aurita
    SR Anuszczyk, JO Dabiri
    ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Blog

Occasional notes on ocean robotics, fieldwork, and grad school life.

CV

A full CV (including complete teaching, outreach, and industry experience) is available as a PDF: Download CV

Education

Selected research & industry experience

Selected fellowships & awards

News & Media

A sample of press coverage and interviews about bionic jellyfish, ocean exploration, and related work.