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Nina Cao

Headshot of Nina Cao
Program Year:
4
University:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Field of Study:
Mechanical Engineering and Transportation
Advisor:
Jinhua Zhao
Degree(s):
B.A. Physics, Harvard University, 2022

Practicum Experience(s)

Brookhaven National Laboratory (2024)

Practicum Supervisor(s):
Deyu
Lu
Practicum Title:
Data Preparation for Future XAS Predictions with Neural Networks

Annual Program Review Abstracts

Fellow Poster
: Fabrication and Simulation of Artificial Cilia With Unique Integrated Proprioceptive Sensing Mechanisms (
2024
)
Fellow Poster
: A Platform for Exploring Collective Behavior in Artificial Ciliary Arrays Through Simulation and Hardware in Parallel (
2023
)

Publications

N. Cao, P. Ravindra, S. Kharel, C. Cao, B. Li, X. Jiang, M. Carbone, X. Qu, and D. Lu, Advancing AI-Driven Analysis in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy: Universal Models and Spectral Domain Mapping. (IN PROGRESS, submitting to Photon Science). (2025).

X. Chen, R.Q. Wang, Y. Zheng, N. Cao, H.Q. Cai, and J. Zhao, Quantifying Periodicity of Human Mobility with Interpretable Machine Learning. (SUBMITTED, waiting for review from Nature Human Behavior). (2025).

N. Cao, Q. Yu, and K.P. Becker. Integrated, Scalable, and Multimodal Sensing in Soft Robotic Ciliary Arrays through a Synergistic Approach. (IN PROGRESS, Submitting to RA-L). (2025).

Q. Yu, N. Cao, and K.P. Becker. Toward Universal, Fully Soft, and Multi-functional Shape Sensing of Soft Bodies via Optical Waveguide Matrices. (SUMBITTED, waiting for review from IEEE Transactions on Robotics). (2025).

Yu, Q., Cao, N., Folinus, C., and Becker, K. P. (2024). Low Volume Cores for Fabrication of Compact, Versatile, and Intelligent Soft Systems. Advanced Functional Materials, 34(46), 2404317.

N. Cao, P. C. Barry, N. Sato, and W. Melnitchouk (Jefferson Lab Angular Momentum (JAM) Collaboration), Towards the 3-dimensional parton structure of the pion: integrating transverse momentum data into global QCD analysis, Phys. Rev. D, 103 (2021)

N. Cao, et al., Constraining the glue in the pion through Drell-Yan lepton pair production, American Physical Society Division of Nuclear Physics Fall Meeting Oct. 14 - Oct. 17, 2019

Awards

2020-2021 John Harvard Scholar (top 5% of class)
2021 Harvard Herchel Smith Undergraduate Science Research Fellowship
2021 Harvard Program for Research in Science and Engineering (PRISE) Fellowship
2019-2020 John Harvard Scholar (top 5% of class)
2018-2019 Harvard College Scholar (top 10% of class)