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Kakani Katija
Unlock the future of ocean exploration and bioinspired engineering with Dr. Kakani Katija, head of the Bioinspiration Lab at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Kakani advances underwater imaging, AI-driven ocean data, and bioinspired design, recognized by National Geographic, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.
Dr. Kakani Katija is a bioengineer and principal engineer of the Bioinspiration Lab at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, whose work is changing how humans see and understand the deep ocean.
As head of the Bioinspiration Lab, Kakani develops custom imaging and lighting tools like DeepPIV and EyeRIS, capable of operating at depths of up to 4,000 meters. These tools are integrated onto robotic vehicles including ROVs, AUVs, and the Mesobot, enabling persistent, large-scale observation of marine life. Her group also built FathomNet, an AI platform for classifying underwater visual data, and FathomVerse, a mobile game that transforms ocean data into a community science contribution.
A National Geographic Emerging Explorer and Kavli Research Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, Kakani holds a PhD in Bioengineering from Caltech and has secured research grants from the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute, among others.
Kakani's research closes a fundamental gap between engineering and biology: by studying how deep-sea animals have adapted to cold, pressurized, and lightless conditions, her work directly informs the design of ocean technology. Her insights provide a clearer picture of how AI and robotics are accelerating ocean discovery and how bioinspired thinking drives real engineering innovation.
Book Kakani Katija for a unique, research-driven perspective on AI, exploration, and technology, inspired by the natural world.
Topics, sessions and talks
Dr. Kakani Katija leads MBARI's Bioinspiration Lab, a team that builds the instruments needed to see the deep sea clearly for the first time. In this session, Kakani walks through the engineering challenges of working at depths of up to 4,000 meters — from designing laser-based imaging systems like DeepPIV and EyeRIS to deploying machine learning tools like FathomNet on robotic vehicles. Drawing on years of fieldwork and laboratory research, she reveals how the adaptive strategies of deep-sea organisms are informing the next generation of ocean technology, and how the boundary between biology and engineering is becoming harder to find.
Kakani combines deep technical expertise with an engaging communication style that resonates with specialist and generalist audiences alike. She explains complex science through tangible, real-world examples, helping audiences understand how research, engineering, and AI can drive practical innovation.
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frequently asked questions
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