Saul Schaffer

Portrait of Saul Schaffer
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  • Title
    National Security Systems Analyst
  • Email
    saul@llnl.gov
  • Phone
    (925) 424-6905
  • Organization
    ENG-CED-COMPUTATIONAL ENGINEERING

Saul Schaffer is a Systems Analyst in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences (DADS) within the Computational Engineering Division (CED) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he has worked since April 2025. Before joining the Lab, Saul earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, primarily funded by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). His dissertation research explored the intersection of biology and robotics, advancing the modeling and capabilities of living, muscle-driven biohybrid robots. He has published papers on topics ranging from 3D bioprinting, reinforcement learning, finite element analysis, and soft body modeling. Saul is committed to broadening participation in STEM, formalized in earning a STEM Educational Outreach award from the Carnegie Mellon in 2020 and 2021. At the Lab, Saul works on projects related to energy infrastructure, applying systems thinking to address thorny problems. In his personal time, he enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and making gumbo.
 

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2024

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2022

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park, 2019

Selected Journal Publications

Full publication list at Google Scholar

  • S. Schaffer, H. H. Pamu, V. A. Webster-Wood, “Hitting the Gym: Reinforcement Learning Control of Exercise-Strengthened Biohybrid Robots”, arXiv, 2024, doi:10.48550/arXiv.2408.16069
  • A. Liao, K. Dai, A. Irez, A. Sun, M. Bennington, S. Schaffer et al., “Cytotoxicity and Characterization of 3D-Printable Resins Using a Low-Cost Printer for Muscle-based Biohybrid Devices”, bioRxiv, 2024, doi:10.1101/2024.10.31.621115
  • W. Sun, S. Schaffer et al., “3D Printing Hydrogel-Based Soft and Biohybrid Actuators: A Mini Review on Fabrication Techniques, Applications and Challenges”, Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 2021, doi:10.3389/frobt.2021.673533
  • J. Hubbard et al., ..., S. Schaffer, R. Sochol, “Fully 3D Printed Soft Robotics with Embedded Fluidic Logic”, Science Advances, Cover Issue, 2021, doi:10.1126/sciadv.abe5257
  • L. Al-Zogbi, B. Bock, S. Schaffer, T. Fleiter, A. Krieger, “A 3D Printed Patient-Specific Ultrasound Phantom for FAST Scan”, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.11.004

Selected Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings

  • S. Schaffer et al., “The Tall, the Squat, & the Bendy: Parametric Modeling and Simulation Towards Multi-functional Biohybrid Robots”, Living Machines 2023, Presented, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-39504-8_15
  • S. Schaffer et al., “Ultra Low-Cost Printable Folding Robots”, IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2020), Presented, doi:10.1109/IROS45743.2020.9340756
  • B. Mathur, A. Topiwala, S. Schaffer, A. Krieger et al., “A Semi-Autonomous Robotic System for Remote Trauma Assessment”, Best Conference Paper Award, 19th IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics & Bioengineering (BIBE 2019), doi:10.1109/BIBE.2019.00122

Selected Patents

  • S. Schaffer, R. Kubicek, V. A. Webster-Wood, “LIFE Vessel: Lateral Imaging and Fabrication with Electrical Stimulation”, USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 63/627,597, January 2024, Pending
  • A. Krieger, T. Fleiter, H. Saeidi, B. Mathur, S. Schaffer et al., “Systems, methods, and media for remote trauma assessment,” US 2020/0194117 A1 , 18 June 2020
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP)
  • Gelfand Center for Educational Outreach Award

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulschaffer/