Sharon Mozgai

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About

Sharon Mozgai is a leading research scientist at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, virtual human interaction, and socially intelligent agents (SIAs). Her primary research focuses on designing and evaluating platforms that enable natural, empathetic communication between humans and embodied conversational agents—from virtual therapists to training avatars. Mozgai’s major contribution lies in advancing the tools and frameworks that make these interactions more authentic and effective, as exemplified in her highly cited chapter "Platforms and Tools for SIA Research and Development" (2022, 5 citations). This work, part of the seminal *Handbook on Socially Interactive Agents*, synthesizes two decades of progress in building intelligent virtual agents and social robots, providing a critical roadmap for researchers. Beyond this, Mozgai has been instrumental in developing virtual human systems for mental health assessment and cultural training, with her research collectively shaping how machines understand and respond to human social cues. Her impact is felt across both academic and applied settings, where her platforms are used to train clinicians and support veterans. A dedicated collaborator, Mozgai continues to push the boundaries of human-computer interaction, making her a key figure in the next generation of socially aware AI.