Caterina Lamuta, a University of Iowa assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has received the selective Director’s Fellowship from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue development of an underwater robot that mimics the movement of an octopus or squid.

Inspired by her fascination with sea life, a professor is developing a “softopus” that could help the Navy in its underwater missions.

Caterina Lamuta, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, will apply her previous research to create an underwater robot designed to have similar motor and textural features to that of an octopus.

The Office of Naval Research has awarded Caterina Lamuta, a University of Iowa assistant professor of mechanical engineering, funding through the 2023 Young Investigator Program to conduct innovative scientific research that will benefit science and technology for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Caterina Lamuta was among the Discovery and Innovation Awards winners announced by the Office of the Vice Present for Research.