Her research focuses on distributed autonomous systems that enable search, rescue and reconnaissance applications in unknown, complex environments. Other research interests include smart environment technologies that support aging in place and disabled persons through personalized autonomy and safety management. She is also dedicated to making both robotics and computer science more accessible through novel programming interfaces and updated frameworks. Dr. Monica Anderson graduated with honors from Chicago State University in 1990 with her BS in Computer Science and from the University of Minnesota in 2007 with a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering. She has authored over 45 publications and has served as Pi or Co-PI on grants in excess of $1.5 million dollars. She is an active member of IEEE and ACM and in 2008, received the UPE Excellence in Instruction award.