Dr. Soon Jo Chung

Professor

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Biography

Professor Soon-Jo Chung is a Bren Professor in the Department of Control and Dynamical Systems at the California Institute of Technology and a Senior Research Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His research focuses on distributed spacecraft systems and autonomous vehicles, emphasizing control theory, estimation, and learning-based control planning. He earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in 1998, followed by an S.M. in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a Sc.D. in Control with a minor in Optics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2002 and 2007, respectively. Professor Chung has held various academic positions, including Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2009 to 2016. He has received multiple accolades for his research, including the UIUC Engineering Dean's Award, NSF CAREER Award, and IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters Paper Awards. Additionally, he has been involved in student mentorship, and his work has garnered significant media attention, notably for projects like the robotic bat, Bat Bot. He serves as a Senior Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters and holds various editorial positions in related journals.

Research Interests

Distributed Spacecraft Systems Space Autonomous Systems Aerospace Robotics Control Theory Estimation Learning-based Control Planning

Experience

Bren Professor

2019-01-01 — Present

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Leading research and teaching in the Department of Control and Dynamical Systems.

Senior Research Scientist

2022-01-01 — Present

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory • Pasadena, CA

Conducting advanced research in aerospace systems and technologies.

Associate Professor

2009-01-01 — 2016-01-01

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Engaged in both teaching and research, contributing to advancements in aerospace robotics.

Assistant Professor

2009-01-01 — 2016-01-01

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Involved in research initiatives and curriculum development.

Awards

#

UIUC Engineering Dean's Award

#

AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award

#

NSF CAREER Award

#2024

IEEE Robotics Automation Letters Paper Award

#2020

Honorable Mention IEEE Robotics Automation Letters Paper Award

#2015

AIAA Guidance, Control Conference Paper Award

#2009

AIAA Infotech Aerospace Conference Paper Award

Courses

CDS 131 – Linear Systems Theory CDS 212 – Optimal Control Reinforcement Learning CDS 212 – Optimal Control Estimation CDS 245 – Data-driven Control CS/EE/ME 75 abc – Multidisciplinary Systems Engineering CDS 270 – Advanced Topics Systems Control

Requirements for California Institute of Technology

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong background in mathematics and physical sciences
Application Checklist
  • Online Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

Most Caltech graduate programs are PhD-only. GRE General and Subject tests vary by department; many have made them optional or no longer accept them.