Huys Commitment Letter

As the centuries-old English proverb goes, curiosity killed the cat – and it almost killed me, too.

I was five years old, engrossed in the fantastic world of the superhero Iron Man, when curiosity got the best of me. While Iron Man was the root of my deep scientific curiosity, it was also the beginning of a long tradition of all-nighters. Planted in front of the TV and hopped up on heroism, I asked my father whether constructing Iron Man’s suit was feasible. Although I was disappointed to hear his pessimistic response, it drove me to prove him wrong. Naturally, I started constructing my own Iron Man suit.

I didn’t sleep all night that evening and instead made blueprints for my flying costume, which I finished the next day. After hours of intensive work, I climbed to the roof of our house, attached some jets to the suit for lift-off, and jumped. Cherished readers, I most definitely flew… straight to the hospital with both of my hands broken. Little did I know that this incident would be the glorious genesis of my lifelong passion for engineering, which has blossomed into a career.

Growing up in a small Armenian village, I strongly desired to help Armenia evolve into a country known for innovation and technological progress. Armenia has tremendous potential in advancing research and development, especially in areas such as robotics, intelligent systems, computer science, and automation. My goal is to contribute to this transformation by developing new technologies that support civic infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and public services in Armenia and outside of its borders.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at Brown University. My program emphasizes both the theoretical and practical aspects of engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Since my first year, I’ve been involved in the Automatic Coordination of Teams (ACT) Lab, where I’ve worked on projects involving small flying robots. One of my recent projects explored the aerodynamic effects of multi-robot proximity flight, with the goal of improving flight stability and energy efficiency. The results of this work will be published at the AIAA AVIATION Forum 2024, reflecting both the academic rigor and the practical relevance of the research.

This year, I served as a teaching assistant for the robotics course at Brown University, where I supported upper-level, master’s, and PhD students in their lab work, particularly those working on flying robots, and helped guide them through their final projects. The class centered around creating art using robotics, and I worked with students to help them bring their artistic visions to life through various media and creative robotic designs. This summer, I will further deepen my expertise at Carnegie Mellon University’s AirLab, one of the leading centers for robotics and artificial intelligence research. I will be working on a large-scale mapping project using coordinated fleets of aerial robots, focusing primarily on autonomous navigation and mission planning. This research has wide applications in areas such as natural disaster response, environmental mapping, and search and rescue.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a PhD in Robotics, with a focus on autonomous systems. This will equip me with the expertise and international collaboration experience necessary to lead the development of intelligent robotic systems in Armenia.

To support this vision, I propose the establishment of dedicated research centers in Armenia focused on autonomous robotics, computer vision, and intelligent control systems. These centers would foster innovation in aerial and ground robotics for peaceful and socially beneficial applications. As I near the completion of my undergraduate studies, I am preparing to bring the knowledge and hands-on experience I’ve gained back home, where it can make a tangible difference. Collaborating with experts around the world, these centers will help Armenia become a hub of innovation and technological excellence in the region.

My ultimate goal is to empower Armenia through science and engineering. The tools, insights, and connections I’m building on this journey will be the foundation for meaningful change. I am deeply committed to this mission, and with sustained effort and the support of like-minded individuals, we can pave the way for a more self-sufficient, innovative, and technologically advanced Armenia.

This commitment inspires hope and a shared sense of purpose, reminding us that with the right vision and perseverance, progress is not only possible but inevitable.

I am aware that Huys Foundation is granting the Huys Scholarship to me with the anticipation of my good faith pursuit and implementation of the projects and undertakings described in this letter, to which I hereby commit.