Meet Our Team
Meet the UP Robotics team — co-founders and instructors bringing hands-on robotics and STEM to kids in Bethesda, MD and across the DMV.
We understand that choosing the right learning environment for your child is one of your most important decisions. Our team combines technical expertise with genuine passion for youth education, creating a safe, supportive space where every student can explore, learn, and thrive.
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Co-founder
Matt Phillips
I'm a retired U.S. Navy Captain and STEM education entrepreneur with over two decades of leadership experience in high-stakes environments—from commanding warships to launching youth robotics programs that empower the next generation of engineers and innovators.
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Co-founder
Tarun Upaday
I build and tinker at the edge of product, technology, and go-to-market. Currently leading Routespring, where we're rethinking how enterprises move people and money. I also advise and serve on boards of high-growth startups in the U.S. and India.
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Director of External Programs
Madeline Smerchansky, PhD
University of Wisconsin–Madison, PhD, Biomedical Engineering, and Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering.
Dream robot: A robot that can knead bread using many different techniques and monitor and regulate the dough temperature. I love baking sourdough and my helper robot would enable me to bake a lot of many different types of bread!
Classes: FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, Intro to Robotics
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Lead Instructor
Nils Schofer
American University, B.S. in Computer Science.
Dream robot: A bot like R2-D2, BB-8, or B2EMO. A close companion I could share a bond with, who could also hack control panels if needed.
Classes: Intro to Robotics, FLL Challenge Class and Teams, and FIRST® Tech Challenge
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Instructor
Janet Choi
University of Maryland, B.S. in Computer Science.
Dream robot: A pocket-sized robot that can "hear" nature! It would turn the electrical conductivity and physiology of different matter, like plants or water, into music (biosonification).
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Instructor
Ellen Gulden
University of Maryland, College Park, Electrical Engineering.
Dream robot: An inflatable robot, kind of like Baymax from Big Hero 6. It would track my health and take proactive measures to avoid getting sick, and help me with day-to-day activities like cooking or doing laundry.
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Instructor
Rana Bahr
The George Washington University, Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Robotics.
Dream robot: A robot that can make me a matcha.
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Instructor
Kaylee Neria
John F. Kennedy High School, Senior.
Dream robot: A multi-use helping robot that could transform into whatever I need but don't have — like a work table for cutting wood or siding, or a step stool or ladder to reach high places.