Faculty Directory

Blankenship, Gil

Blankenship, Gil

Professor and Associate Chair for External Affairs
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Maryland Robotics Center
Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices
A.V. Williams 1427

BACKGROUND

 

Dr. Blankenship is Professor and Associate Chairman for External Affairs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park. He is a member of the Applied Mathematics Faculty, a member of the Maryland Robotics Center, and a Core Member of the Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices. He has held visiting positions with New York University, the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland, the US Department of Energy, and with Erasmus University, Rotterdam. His first academic position was with the Department of Systems Engineering, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. He joined the faculty at the University of Maryland in 1978.

His research interests include applications of signal processing, nonlinear and adaptive control theory, networked control systems, and embedded electronics. His most recent research focuses on autonomous networked mobile robots and wearable sensor systems, especially for medical applications. He has published many papers and reports in these and related areas. His MS and Ph.D. students work at universities, research laboratories, and high technology companies around the world. Dr. Blankenship is a Life Fellow of the IEEE.

Entrepreneurship: Dr. Blankenship has founded several technology companies. The most recent is the Maryland Development Center, a MedTech Startup Studio in Baltimore that works to connect engineering and medical device development and commercialization. MDC has created several startup companies including Next Step Robotics that constructs robotic devices for treatment of foot drop in stroke and Sonosa Medical, which is developing a non-invasive device for diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

HONORS AND AWARDS

 

    •    IEEE Life Fellow

 

  • Stochastic and nonlinear control
  • Adaptive control
  • AI in engineering design

New undergraduate minor in robotics and autonomous systems

The Maryland Robotics Center will administer the program, which begins in Fall 2021.

$100,000 investment from Amazon to power Clark School initiatives in diversity, robotics research and education

Beneficiaries include two Ph.D. fellowships in robotics, the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering, a robotics capstone course, the Black Engineers Society and the Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers.

A Fearless Flight

Maryland tests demonstrate how human organs can be transported safely by drones.

Alumnus Profile: Pratik Gupta

Pratik Gupta graduated from UMD's ENTS Program in 2006. Ten years later he founded Strom Motors, an electric car start-up based in Mumbai, India.

Faculty Founded Techno-Sciences, Inc. Acquired by McMurdo Group

ECE-born company specializes in satellite ground stations, emergency response center systems, coastal surveillance tools

TRX Systems Receives Tibbets Award for Excellence

Operated by Clark School alumnae, TRX Systems gains national recognition for excellence in government research and development. 

Techno-Sciences Earns State High-Tech Honors

Company led by Clark School professor, board member named state's High Tech Company of the Year.

Abaziou’s Techno-Sciences, Inc. Among Fast 500

Deloitte lauds company led by ECE professor, Board of Visitors member.

Robot Speedway Competition Showcases Student Talent

Twelve student teams competed in the second annual robotics competition.

Robotic Speedway Competition Returns Saturday

Event co-sponsored by IEEE Robotics and Automation Society D.C. chapter.

TRX Wins Global Security Challenge

Clark School tech startup led by ECE's Gilmer Blankenship takes $500K prize.

TRX Systems Finalist in Security Challenge

Company founded by Prof. Gilmer Blankenship is one of two American finalists.

Robotics Course Drives Students to Succeed

Class captures real-world challenges with open-ended problems, team-based collaboration.

UM $50K Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

Three winners chosen among nine finalists.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)