Dr. Udit Halder joined USF as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in Summer 2024. Prior to joining USF, he was a postdoctoral research associate at the Coordinated Science Laboratory of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Dr. Halder received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). His primary research focus is on the field of bioinspired soft systems that includes the study of the mathematics of complex dynamical systems in biology, ranging from the collective behavior of avian flocks to the movement of marine invertebrates (e.g., octopuses, jellyfishes), along with their applications in robotics, especially in soft robotics. A major component of his research agenda is to address intrinsic scientific questions (e.g., optimality, sensorimotor control) that often arise in the study of biological systems. He has received several awards during his graduate studies at UMD, including outstanding graduate assistant award and the George Corcoran memorial award for teaching. His research has been published in prestigious journals and conferences and has received coverage from a variety of news articles, including articles published by UMD, UIUC, and an early career research spotlight by the Company of Biologists, UK.