Nebraska Innovation Studio, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s makerspace, announced its inaugural cohort for the NIS Robotics Fellowship Program. The four fellows aim to develop cutting-edge products and improvements in cattle ranching, surgery, language development and precision agriculture.
The 20-week fellowship period began Jan. 1 and continues through May 31. Fellows receive free membership to the studio for the duration of the fellowship, increased access to the cutting-edge tools and resources at the studio through extended hours, expert advice and guidance from a panel of mentors, laptop loan, and a $2,500 stipend to purchase supplies to build out their idea or prototype. Fellows also have access to networking and learning opportunities through various programming. They will be required to attend up to 11 events and classes.
John Strope, program coordinator for NIS robotics, said the applicant pool was extremely competitive, and that he is excited to see what the first cohort of fellows will accomplish.
“I've been blown away by the response to this program — I think that's emblematic of the progress Nebraska has made in becoming a hub for innovators, creators and builders,” Strope said. “This inaugural cohort showcases the incredible potential within Nebraska — a future where big ideas take root right here and have room to thrive.”
The 2025 fellows and a brief description of their proposed projects are as follows:
Amlan Balabantaray — Balabantaray, of Odisha, India, is a graduate student in agricultural engineering, studying how artificial intelligence can be harnessed in weed control systems. With the NIS Robotics Fellowship, he aims to design, fabricate and test the “See and Till” system, an agricultural robot that would engage only when a weed is detected, adding another tool for sustainable ag practices.
Brooke Bode — Bode is a senior mechanical engineering major and is the founder of Cattle Kettle, a hardware/software startup. With the NIS Robotics Fellowship, Bode, who is from Hershey, Nebraska, will continue development of the Cattle Kettle Monitor, a prototype for automating water management for cattle producers. Bode hopes to bring the product to market. Her focus during the fellowship will be on improving the durability and functionality of the hardware to withstand the harsh conditions of ag environments.
Teresa Monsees — Inspired by her connections to the deaf community, Monsees, a senior mechanical engineering major from Harrisburg, Nebraska, is developing a robotic learning aid that assists deaf and hard-of-hearing children in language development through sign language. Her concept, which she will refine through the NIS Robotics Fellowship, features robotic hands capable of signing to communicate, in addition to being able to convey emotion and pacing through gesture.
Riley Reynolds — A University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumnus from Alpine, Utah, Reynolds is now a surgical robotics engineer with Virtual Incision in Lincoln. His NIS Robotics Fellowship will aid in his quest to prototype an automated trocar placement device to enhance the safety and precision of laparoscopic and robotic abdominal surgeries.
The program is the first of its kind offered by Innovation Studio and is part of the Heartland Robotics Cluster. The cluster was established following a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration in 2022 and is a collaboration of the university, Nebraska Engineering, Invest Nebraska, the Combine, Nebraska Manufacturing Council, Nebraska Extension, Northeast Community College and Metro Community College to expand training, research and implementation of robotics and grow Nebraska’s economy.
“Nebraska has always had the talent and grit, but opportunities like this are what will elevate our tech communities to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of the best in robotics,” Strope said. “It's the kind of program I wish I'd had when I first moved here eight years ago, and seeing these builders get to work feels like glimpsing straight into the future.”
