Update to robotics group

Author: kks32

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # [Geoelements Wiki](https://geoelements.org/wiki/)
 
-We are an extreme-scale computational geomechanics research group based at UT Austin. Our research focus is on developing large-scale computational models to simulate natural hazards. It looks like you recently joined the Geoelements team in UT Austin’s Geotech group at Civil, Architectural, and Environemental Engineering department. That’s great! We’re really glad to have you here, and will do what we can to make your time in the research group amazing. We hope you’ll learn a lot about geomechanics, numerical methods and computational sciences, develop new skills (coding, data analysis, writing, giving talks), make new friends, and have a great deal of fun throughout the whole process.
+We are an interdisciplinary research group at UT Austin focused on advancing AI and numerical methods for robotics and control. Our research combines cutting-edge techniques including Gaussian Splatting, Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Material Point Method (MPM), and Reinforcement Learning (RL) to enable robots and autonomous systems to navigate and interact with complex, unstructured environments. It looks like you recently joined the Geoelements team at UT Austin's Oden Institute for Computational Sciences or Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering department. That's great! We're really glad to have you here, and will do what we can to make your time in the research group amazing. We hope you'll learn a lot about AI, numerical methods, robotics, and control systems, develop new skills (coding, machine learning, data analysis, writing, giving talks), make new friends, and have a great deal of fun throughout the whole process.
 
 When you join the group, you’re expected to read this wiki. You’re also highly encouraged to read it while deciding if you want to join the group in the first place. You should always feel free to talk to Krishna to clarify anything in the wiki, and let him know if he isn’t following through on some of his promises! This wiki is intended to be a starting point for a positive mentor-mentee and research experience — but, ultimately, positive experiences will also require active investment in, and refinement of, our one-on-one interactions over time.
 

getting-started.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Getting Started
-You have made your first step by joining our research group on extreme scale geomecahnics. Congratulations! We look forward to working with you and have a lot of fun. We at Geoelements aim to promote open research and create a friendly team of researchers working in the area of computational geomechanics.
+You have made your first step by joining our research group on AI and numerical methods for robotics and control. Congratulations! We look forward to working with you and have a lot of fun. We at Geoelements aim to promote open research and create a friendly team of researchers working at the intersection of AI, numerical simulation, and robotic systems.
 
 * Read this wiki thoroughly and familiarize yourself with how Geoelements team operates. 
 

prospective-students.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Our research group will be a good fit for you if (1) you find our research excit
 
 To find out more, you are completely free to ask past and current Geoelements members about their experiences in the research group, and ask as many questions as you'd like during your interview or before you apply.
 
-Also check out the University of Texas Austin Geotech website to learn more about the department, requirements in the PhD program, and details about the application. In the Geotech group the model is that students are admitted to work in individual research groups (i.e., no rotations). 
+Also check out the University of Texas Austin and the Oden Institute website to learn more about the department, requirements in the PhD program, and details about the application. At UT Engineering students are admitted to work in individual research groups (i.e., no rotations). 
 
 ## What qualities make me a good fit for Geoelements research group?
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Send Krishna an email! He is always happy to hear from prospective students. In
 
 > __How to email Krishna:__ 
 
-If you are interested in applying, send an email with the following subject: **Geoelements + Favorite soil type:**. For e.g., if you like `sand`, your email subject should read `Geoelements sand:`. This helps me in knowing that you have read our wiki (or at least this paragraph), and shows your dedication to join our group. If you follow this guideline, I'll gurantee you an email response (which may take up to a week sometimes). Do NOT expect to hear back if you don't address the three sections in your email:
+If you are interested in applying, send an email with the following subject: **Geoelements + research area:**. For e.g., if you like to work on `GNNs`, your email subject should read `Geoelements GNN:`. This helps me in knowing that you have read our wiki (or at least this paragraph), and shows your dedication to join our group. If you follow this guideline, I'll gurantee you an email response (which may take up to a week sometimes). Do NOT expect to hear back if you don't address the three sections in your email:
 
 1. Briefly introduce yourself (name, current institution) and Specify your interest: MS/PhD or PhD
 2. One-page research statement as a PDF on what research area you would like to explore and why: [https://www.geoelements.org/research/](https://www.geoelements.org/research/). See details below on what to include. 
@@ -48,27 +48,27 @@ If you are interested in applying, send an email with the following subject: **G
 Your research statement should only be one page and have the following sections: 
 
 1. **Problem Statement**:
-    - Clearly define the specific geomechanics/robotics/AI challenge or question your research intends to address.
-    - Emphasize the relevance of this problem in the context of current geomechanics research.
+    - Clearly define the specific AI, robotics, or control challenge you intend to address.
+    - Emphasize the relevance of this problem in the context of current research in Gaussian Splatting, GNNs, MPM, or RL for robotics.
     - Highlight any gaps in existing research that your study aims to fill.
 
 1. **Methodology**:
-    - Outline the simulation techniques, AI algorithms and robotic applications you'll use in your research.
-    - Explain how these methods are suited to address the problem statement effectively.
+    - Outline the specific techniques you'll use (e.g., Gaussian Splatting for 3D reconstruction, GNNs for physics modeling, MPM for simulation, RL for control).
+    - Explain how these AI and numerical methods are suited to address the problem statement effectively.
 
 1. **Expected Results/Outputs**:
-    - Mention how these results could advance understanding or applications in geoelements.
+    - Mention how these results could advance robotics, autonomous navigation, or control systems.
 
 1. **Impact**:
-    - Discuss how the findings could contribute to technological advancements in simulations, AI and robotics.
+    - Discuss how the findings could contribute to advancements in AI-driven robotics, real-time control, or autonomous systems.
 
 ## How do I make my research statement as strong as possible?
 
-Krishna is interested in seeing your enthusiasm and creative thinking about areas his research group studies. If you have particular questions you are keen to explore during your PhD, feel free to tell him a few of them. Past research experience is great, but it does not substitute for creative and critical thinking, willingness to learn, and knowledge of the general field. Likewise, prior programming experience is a strength, but not essential. We love to hear from students who have passion for research, and have thought about what they want to study. No need to have highly detailed plans in place — Krishna would just like to hear about some general areas of inquiry that you are curious to study.
+Krishna is interested in seeing your enthusiasm and creative thinking about AI and numerical methods for robotics and control. If you have particular questions about Gaussian Splatting, GNNs, MPM, or RL applications that you're keen to explore during your PhD, feel free to share them. Past research experience is great, but it does not substitute for creative and critical thinking, willingness to learn, and knowledge of the general field. Prior programming experience (especially in Python, PyTorch, or C++) is desirable. We love to hear from students who have passion for research at the intersection of AI and robotics, and have thought about what they want to study. No need to have highly detailed plans in place — Krishna would just like to hear about some general areas of inquiry that you are curious to study.
 
 Krishna would also like to hear about your past research experience, if any. Do not simply list what is already on your CV, though. Tell him a little bit about why you became interested in that research question, how you tackled that question, what you learned, and what you might want to do differently in the future. Furthermore, how did your past experiences inform your current interests?
 
-You should also have a section in your research statement describing what attracted you to University of Texas at Austin and to Krishna's research group in particular. What would you like to learn in the Geoelements and what do you hope to contribute? What is special about the Geoelements and/or UT? If you are interested in other research groups too, that's great — feel free to mention them too! But make clear which research group(s) are those of primary interest and which you would like to learn from or cooperate. It's a good idea to list at least one other research group in Geotech, because at least two faculty need to be interested in working with you in order for you to be accepted into the program.
+You should also have a section in your research statement describing what attracted you to University of Texas at Austin and to Krishna's research group in particular. What would you like to learn in the Geoelements and what do you hope to contribute? What is special about the Geoelements and/or UT? If you are interested in other research groups too, that's great — feel free to mention them too! But make clear which research group(s) are those of primary interest and which you would like to learn from or cooperate. 
 
 ## How big of a deal are my GREs and grades?
 

roles-responsibilities.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Science is hard. But it’s also fun. In Geoelements, we want to make sure that
 * Respect your fellow teammates. Respect their strengths and weaknesses, respect their desire for quiet if they need it, and for support and a kind ear when they need that. Respect their culture, their religion, their beliefs, their sexual orientation.
 * If you’re struggling, tell someone (feel free to tell Krishna!). Your health and happiness come first. The group looks out for the well-being of all its members. We are here to help. It’s ok to go through hard patches (we all do), but you shouldn’t feel shy about asking for help or just venting.
 * If there is any tension or hostility in the group, something has to be done about it immediately. We can’t thrive in an environment we aren’t comfortable in, and disrespect or rudeness will not be tolerated in the lab. If you don’t feel comfortable confronting the person in question, tell Krishna. In any case, tell Krishna.
-* If you have a problem with Krishna and are comfortable telling him about it, do! If you aren’t comfortable, then tell a geotech professor (for smaller issues) or the department chair (for more serious issues).
+* If you have a problem with Krishna and are comfortable telling him about it, do! If you aren’t comfortable, then talk to your academic advisor for smaller issues or the department chair (for more serious issues).
 * Stay up to date on the latest research, by using RSS feeds, Google Scholar Alerts and/or getting journal table of contents. 
 * Remember the lab philosophy: “We like to do good science and have fun”. Have a life outside of the research is important, take care of your mental and physical health, and don’t ever feel bad for taking time off work.