A. Shearer

Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, University of Dundee

Papers

Total Citations

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About

A. Shearer is a pioneering researcher whose work spans two distinct and impactful domains: high-time-resolution astrophysics and socially assistive robotics for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In astrophysics, Shearer led the development of the TORTORA and MegaTORTORA wide-field monitoring systems, designed to capture short, stochastic optical transients such as gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. This work, published in 2010 and garnering 19 citations, enables the detection of fast, unpredictable cosmic events by surveying hundreds of square degrees of sky with unprecedented temporal resolution. More recently, Shearer has applied their expertise in real-time systems to human-robot interaction, designing a conversational interface for robots that assists children with ASD in developing social communication skills. This 2023 study, with 3 citations, represents a novel intersection of engineering and clinical intervention. Shearer’s dual contributions demonstrate a rare ability to translate high-speed data acquisition techniques from astrophysics into socially beneficial technologies, marking them as an innovative thinker whose work bridges the cosmos and the clinic.