Santosh Pitla is a Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where his work spans research, teaching, and community engagement at the intersection of digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, robotics, and complex engineering systems.
Dr. Pitla directs the Machine Automation and Agricultural Robotics (MAARS) Lab, where his research focuses on AI-enabled cyber-physical systems, autonomous machines, sensing and control, and data-driven decision making. His work emphasizes building scalable, interoperable AI and robotics frameworks that connect fundamental research with real-world deployment. He has led and coordinated interdisciplinary efforts that bring together engineers, computer scientists, domain experts, and stakeholders to address complex, system-level challenges for advancing agriculture.
In teaching, Dr. Pitla is deeply committed to experiential and applied learning. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in sensors, controls, embedded systems, and automation, and has played a central role in modernizing curricula to reflect emerging needs in AI-enabled engineering. As Chair of the College of Engineering Curriculum Committee, he provides strategic oversight of curricular innovation and alignment across departments, with particular attention to computational thinking, experiential learning, AI literacy, and workforce preparation.
Dr. Pitla’s community and institutional engagement extends beyond the classroom. He provides executive leadership for the Heartland Robotics Cluster, supporting regional coordination in research, workforce development, and technology innovation. He also serves on the executive leadership team of Digital Agriculture Task Force, helping guide long-term strategy at the intersection of data, AI, and agricultural systems. He currently chairs Rogers Memorial Farm, advancing its role as a living laboratory that integrates research, education, and extension.
At the university level, Dr. Pitla has contributed to strategic initiatives focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, including service on President Gold's AI Task Force, where he helped inform institution-wide discussions on responsible AI adoption and literacy. In recognition of his leadership and impact in agricultural technology, he was recently inducted into the 2025 CIGR Next Leaders Program in AgTech and honored at the VDI Conference in Germany in November 2025. Only twelve engineers are selected worldwide for this distinction, representing multiple continents.
Through his work, Dr. Pitla is committed to building inclusive, interdisciplinary ecosystems for AI research and education, mentoring future leaders, and positioning the University of Nebraska to lead in responsible, high-impact AI innovation.