Yanda Bao

Seattle · robot learning

I study CS and math at the University of Washington, where I do robot learning research at the WEIRD Lab. Lately I’m thinking about how to pre-train effectively for sim-to-real transfer and diverse reinforcement learning algorithms. I’m broadly interested in helpful inductive biases for generalization and continual learning.

Previously I interned at Roblox, working on the iOS/Android mobile app. Before that I used to compete in competitive math and programming, and served my time in court for Mock Trial. In my spare time I read strong opinions about the world, run, complete odd jobs in Cyberpunk 2077, and play soccer†.

† winger by trade.

“Man realizes himself as truly human only by seeking, beyond himself, an aim of liberation.” — Sartre, abridged

Research