Dr Ning Xi is Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and received his D.Sc. degree in Systems Science and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis , Missouri in December, 1993. He received his M.S. degree in computer science from Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts , and B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Currently, he is John D. Ryder Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan State University . Dr. Xi received the Best Paper Award in IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in August, 1995. He also received the Best Paper Award in the 1998 Japan-USA Symposium on Flexible Automation. Dr. Xi was awarded the first Early Academic Career Award by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society in May, 1999. In addition, he is also a recipient of National Science Foundation CAREER Award. His research interests include robotics, manufacturing automation, micro/nano systems, and intelligent control and systems.