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About

Dr. Jenna B. Lebersfeld is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, human-computer interaction, and developmental psychology, with a focused expertise in using socially assistive robots to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her most influential work centers on the development and evaluation of the Socially Animated Machine (SAM) robot, a novel intervention tool designed to teach social communication skills to children across a range of cognitive abilities. In her landmark feasibility study (2017, 24 citations), Dr. Lebersfeld demonstrated that SAM could effectively elicit emotional expression and engagement from children with ASD. She further advanced this line of inquiry by identifying specific child characteristics—such as cognitive level and baseline social skills—that predict improvement following SAM-based therapy (2019, 7 citations). Her research provides critical evidence that robot-assisted interventions can be both accessible and effective for diverse learners, bridging gaps in traditional therapy. By systematically evaluating SAM’s impact, Dr. Lebersfeld has laid the groundwork for scalable, technology-driven social skills training, making her a leading voice in the emerging field of autism-focused human-robot interaction.