Joseph Schornak
About Joseph Schornak
Joseph Schornak is a Robotics Engineer with extensive experience in motion planning and machine perception. He currently works at PickNik Robotics and has held various engineering roles at institutions such as Southwest Research Institute and Barrow Neurological Institute.
Work at PickNik Robotics
Joseph Schornak has been employed as a Robotics Engineer at PickNik Robotics since 2021. His role involves working on perception-driven robotics applications, utilizing ROS2 to enhance robotic systems. His expertise in motion planning and machine perception contributes to the development of advanced robotics solutions within the company.
Education and Expertise
Joseph Schornak holds a Master of Science (MS) in Robotics Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he studied from 2016 to 2018. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, with minors in Computer Science and Robotics. His academic background provides a strong foundation in robotics, particularly in motion planning and high-resolution 3D reconstruction.
Background in Robotics Research
Joseph Schornak has a diverse background in robotics research. He served as a Graduate Student Researcher at WPI AIM Lab from 2016 to 2018, focusing on guiding surgical robots using MRI data and real-time volumetric imaging techniques. His earlier experience includes a Student Research Internship at Barrow Neurological Institute in 2016, where he contributed to research projects in a clinical setting.
Professional Experience at Southwest Research Institute
Joseph Schornak worked at Southwest Research Institute in various roles from 2017 to 2021. He began as a Graduate Student Engineer and transitioned to an Engineer role before becoming a Research Engineer. His work during this period involved projects that emphasized robotics applications, further developing his skills in motion planning and machine perception.
Leadership in Underwater Robotics
During his time at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Joseph Schornak led the Underwater Robotics Team from 2014 to 2015. This leadership role allowed him to apply his engineering knowledge in practical settings, fostering teamwork and innovation in underwater robotics projects.