Yingying (Samara) Ren leads the Geometric Computing and Digital Fabrication group at ISTA. We focus on research in digital fabrication, physics-based simulation, and computational inverse design. By leveraging geometric reasoning and numerical methods, we aim to create new structures and materials with applications in medical devices, architecture, soft robotics, and more.

Nicole is a postdoctoral researcher in Samara Ren’s group. She is interested in algorithms for geometric data processing and optimization.

Ladislav is a PhD student in Samara Ren’s group. His current research interests are physics-based simulation, optimization and numerical methods for bifurcation analysis.

Peiyuan is a PhD student in Samara Ren’s group at ISTA. His research interests include physics-based simulation and geometry processing.

Romy is a PhD student at University College London (UCL), visiting ISTA during Autumn/Winter 2026/2027. She is currently working on a modular origami-inspired project with Samara Ren.

Cristina did her PhD in laser micro- and nanofabrication at Johannes Kepler University Linz. Her role as a Research Engineer in Samara Ren’s Group is to maintain and customise experimental equipment in the Fabrication Lab (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, robotic arms).