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About

Alessandro Leone is a leading researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, and active and healthy ageing. His work primarily focuses on developing and evaluating technology-driven interventions for neurodegenerative conditions, with a particular emphasis on Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Leone’s major contributions include pioneering the use of social robotics and dance as a therapeutic tool, most notably through the SI-ROBOTICS initiative. This work, detailed in a highly cited study protocol (17 citations) and a subsequent feasibility study (10 citations), explores how Irish dancing, guided by robotic systems, can improve motor symptoms, balance, and quality of life for older adults. In parallel, he has made significant strides in affective computing, authoring a landmark 2020 paper (54 citations) that systematically compares deep learning models against traditional machine learning for facial expression recognition in ageing adults. This research is critical for developing empathetic, responsive assistive technologies. By bridging the gap between advanced computational methods and tangible, human-centred healthcare solutions, Dr. Leone’s work is shaping the future of technology for an ageing population.