Maja Matarić

Computer Scientist, Roboticist

Maja Matarić is at the forefront of the growing field of “socially assistive” robotics, building intelligent machines that can interact with humans socially, rather than physically, to help them learn new skills or recover from illness and injury. Her Interaction Lab at the University of Southern California is currently developing robot-assisted therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders, survivors of stroke and traumatic brain injuries, and people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Matarić is a professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at USC, founding director of the USC Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab and Vice Dean for Research in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. She received her Ph.D. in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT. She has received Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring, a National Science Foundation Career Award, and the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society EarlyCareer Award and the LA Times Magazine named her a “visionary” in 2010. In 1999, she was featured in the science documentary Me & Isaac Newton, which investigated the creative mindset behind scientific exploration.

Participants

Francisco AyalaBiological Scientist

Called the “Renaissance Man of Evolutionary Biology” by The New York Times, Francisco J. Ayala has made significant and wide-ranging experimental and theoretical contributions to evolution theory.

Janelle S. AyresMolecular Physiologist

Janelle Ayres is an Associate Professor in the Nomis Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Her pioneering research on host-pathogen interactions is redefining our definition of health.

Nina AzariPsychologist

Nina Azari specializes in cognitive neuroscience and the psychology of religion. She uses traditional psychological methods as well as cutting-edge medical imaging technology to explore religious experiences, consciousness, belief and perception in her subjects. Azari is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Kodi AzariSurgeon

Kodi Azari, MD, FACS is an internationally known plastic surgeon and hand surgeon. His clinical areas of interest include hand, microvascular, peripheral nerve surgery, and hand transplantation.

Naïma AzoughProgram Developer, Author

Naïma Azough is an author, editor, documentary filmmaker and a former member of parliament. She studied English, German and International Relations at the Universities of Antwerp and Amsterdam.

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Maja Matarić

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