Hello there, I'm

Lilyan

Surgical Robotics Engineer
Profile Picture
CV (FR) CV (EN)

About Me

I'm a medical technology engineer holding an engineering diploma and a Master's in Imaging, Robotics and Life Sciences, topped by a PhD in Surgical Robotics from Sorbonne Université.


During my doctoral work, I developed application-driven robotic assistance solutions for spine surgery—bridging scientific research and real-world clinical challenges. In industry, I've complemented my R&D background with hands-on medical device quality validation under ISO 13485, ensuring that innovation meets the highest standards.


I thrive at the intersection of technological innovation and healthcare needs, and outside the lab I stay curious and disciplined as an assistant freediving instructor, competitive triathlete, and cinema enthusiast.

Skills

Hard Skills

Technical Skills

C++ 70%
ROS2 75%
MATLAB 80%
Python 40%

Theoretical Skills

70%
Robotics
70%
Control Theory
60%
3D Image Registration

Soft Skills

Project Management
Teaching & Mentoring
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Scientific Communication
Agile Management
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Emotional Intelligence

Languages

  • FrenchNative
  • EnglishFluent (C1+)
  • GermanIntermediate (B1)
  • SpanishBasic (A2)

Work Experience

SU logo

2021 – 2025  |  Surgical Robotics Researcher

Sorbonne Université, Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotique - Paris (France)

  • Developed C++/ROS2 modules for automatic breach detection in pedicle screw placement.
  • Designed 3D image registration pipelines for surgical planning (MATLAB, Python).
  • Conducted experimental validations on ex‑vivo, animal, cadaveric and in‑vivo models.
  • Taught experimental robotics, control theory and C programming to master’s students.
  • Filed a patent on statistical perforation detection methods.
  • Coordinated EU H2020 FAROS tasks with international academic & industry partners.
Zimmer Biomet logo

2018 - 2021  |  Surgical Robotics Engineer

Zimmer Biomet Robotics - Montpellier (France)

  • Built calibration solutions for serial robots (C++, VAL3).
  • Improved robotic accuracy via chain-of-error analysis.
  • Performed ISO 13485 quality activities (NCR, CAPA, CSV).
  • Led small-scale R&D projects from spec to validation.

Education

SU logo

2021 - 2025  |  PhD in Surgical Robotics

Sorbonne Université, Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotique - Paris (France)

  • Doctoral research in surgical robotics, focusing on robotic assistance for spine surgery.
  • Developed novel methods for breach detection and 3D image registration.
SU logo

2023  |  University Diploma in Biomedical Engineering

Sorbonne Université - Paris (France)

  • Funding, protection and valorization of research and biomedical innovation.
  • Business creation, financing and innovation strategy in a regulated medical environment.
University of Strasbourg logo

2016 - 2018  |  Master IRIV (Imaging, Robotics & Engineering for Living Systems)

University of Strasbourg - Strasbourg (France)

  • Specialization in automation, robotics, computer vision, image processing and applied physics for health.
  • Graduated first in class with honors.
Télécom Physique Strasbourg logo

2015 - 2018  |  Engineering Degree in Information Technologies for Health

Télécom Physique Strasbourg - Strasbourg (France)

  • Focus on computer vision, automation, robotics, programming, biomechanics, signal processing and applied physics.
  • Graduated first in class with honors.
Lycée Kléber logo

2016 - 2018  |  Master IRIV (Imaging, Robotics & Engineering for Living Systems)

Lycée Kléber - Strasbourg (France)

  • Highly selective post-high-school program in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Theory.
  • Equivalent to the first two years of a university Bachelor's in mathematics, physics and computer science.
  • Intensive focus on problem-solving and theoretical foundations.

Publications

2025

Thesis

Vers un placement assisté par robot des vis pédiculaires en chirurgie rachidienne
Author: Lilyan Leblanc
Sorbonne Université

Patent

Statistical methods and systems for detecting perforations during surgical drilling based on sensed electrical characteristics
Authors: Lilyan Leblanc, Brahim Tamadazte, Thibault Chandanson, Elie Saghbiny
Patent Application US18/784,828
2024

Journal papers

Automatic spinal canal breach detection during pedicle screw placement
Authors: Lilyan Leblanc, Elie Saghbini, Jimmy Da Silva, Antoine Harlé, Saman Vafadar, Thibault Chandanson, Raphaël Vialle, Guillaume Morel, Brahim Tamadazte
IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2024, 9 (2), pp.1915-1922. 10.1109/LRA.2024.3349947. hal-04460474
Breach detection in spine surgery based on cutting torque
Authors: Elie Saghbiny, Lilyan Leblanc, Antoine Harlé, Christina Bobbio, Raphaël Vialle, Guillaume Morel, Brahim Tamadazte
IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 1084-1092, Aug. 2024, doi : 10.1109 TMRB.2024.3421543.

Conference papers

Pedicle Drilling Planning Transfer for Spine Surgery Using Functional Map Correspondences
Authors: Lilyan Leblanc, Raphael Vialle, Cristiana De Farias, Elie Saghbiny, Naresh Marturi, Brahim Tamadazte
2024 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2024), IEEE, Oct 2024, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. hal-04661996
2023

Conference papers

Breach detection in spine surgery based on cutting torque with ex-vivo experimental validation
Authors: Elie Saghbiny, Jimmy Da Silva, Lilyan Leblanc, Christina Bobbio, Guillaume G. Morel, Raphaël Vialle, Brahim Tamadazte
in 12th edition of Conference on New Technologies for Computer and Robot Assisted Surgery (CRAS 2023)

Interests

Freediving Freediving
Scuba Diving Scuba Diving
Triathlon Triathlon
Cinema
Theater
Dance