Kelly Cowan

Portland State University, University of New Mexico

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Kelly Cowan is a forward-thinking researcher whose work sits at the intersection of robotics, public health, and technology adoption. Her primary research area focuses on the strategic deployment of autonomous systems in crisis contexts, most notably decontamination robots during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cowan’s major contribution lies in forecasting the real-world adoption of these cleaning robots—machines capable of sanitizing high-traffic public spaces like airports and medical facilities with minimal human intervention. Her seminal 2022 paper, *Forecasting the Use of Decontamination Robots in the COVID Era*, which has garnered 4 citations, provides a critical early analysis of how such technologies could reshape infection control. A subsequent 2025 update, with 1 citation, refines these projections, underscoring her commitment to tracking evolving trends. Cowan’s work is notable for bridging engineering foresight with practical pandemic response, offering valuable insights for students and researchers interested in the human-robot interface during global health emergencies. Her research continues to inform discussions on automation’s role in building safer, more resilient public environments.