Laura Jones

Project: Deploying safer robot chemists in real laboratory environments

Supervisors: Gabriella Pizzuto, Andy Cooper

What inspired you to pursue this project and join the DAMC CDT?  

I’ve always been motivated to pursue a PhD, but I wanted my research to be grounded in real-world challenges. During my time in industry working on robotics and automation systems, I found myself asking whether these systems could be designed to be smarter, more adaptive, and ultimately more impactful. That curiosity inspired me to return to research. The DAMC CDT was particularly appealing because it combines cutting-edge technical training with an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment. It allows me not only to explore a topic I find fascinating but also to connect it with real applications, while working alongside a diverse group of researchers who bring different perspectives.

What is your research project about, and what impact do you hope it will have?     

My project focuses on developing safer autonomous robotic systems for chemistry laboratories. Specifically, I'm working on hybrid control architectures that enable robotic manipulators to navigate constrained lab environments while avoiding collisions and managing risk intelligently. The ultimate goal is to enhance both the capabilities and safety of autonomous chemistry platforms, which are increasingly important for accelerating materials discovery. By making these systems more reliable and safer to operate, I hope to contribute to the broader adoption of robotic chemists in research labs, ultimately speeding up scientific discovery while protecting researchers and equipment.

What has been the most exciting or rewarding part of your PhD journey so far and how does your project benefit from being part of an interdisciplinary CDT?    

One of the most rewarding moments so far was when I first got my probability-based failure detection working and could actually see the hybrid controller in action. Watching the robot adapt its behaviour based on real-time risk assessment—seeing theory translate into something tangible—was incredibly satisfying and reinforced why I wanted to pursue this research.

Being part of DAMC has been crucial because my project sits at the intersection of robotics, control theory, and chemistry lab safety. The interdisciplinary environment has pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best way. Coming from a traditional robot programming background in industry, learning to apply machine learning techniques to robotic control was a significant challenge, but the CDT's training and resources made that transition possible. I've also benefited enormously from a collaborative project with another lab, where we're working together toward a shared goal despite having very different approaches to working with robots. That collaboration has taught me how to bridge different methodologies and communicate across technical perspectives. This broad, interdisciplinary perspective not only strengthens my technical work but also prepares me to work effectively across different research communities and industry contexts