Matthew L. Bolton

University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Matthew L. Bolton is a leading researcher in human factors engineering, with a primary focus on improving safety and performance in complex, high-stakes environments—particularly in healthcare and robotic systems. His work centers on understanding and enhancing team coordination, communication, and decision-making in settings such as robot-assisted surgery (RAS). Bolton’s most-cited paper, "Multimodal team interactions in Robot-Assisted Surgery" (2016), critically examines how the physical remoteness of the surgeon in RAS introduces unique communication challenges, systematically linking communication gaps to surgical failures. This research highlights the often-overlooked role of nonverbal cues in operating room teamwork, offering foundational insights for designing better training protocols and system interfaces. With a citation count reflecting growing recognition, Bolton’s contributions are shaping how researchers and practitioners approach team dynamics in technology-mediated medical procedures. His work not only advances theoretical understanding but also provides practical pathways to reduce errors and improve patient outcomes, making him a key figure in the intersection of human factors, robotics, and patient safety.