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About

Ada Potenza is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of movement science, neurodegenerative disease, and human-robot interaction. Her work focuses on developing innovative, non-pharmacological interventions for Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly through the therapeutic potential of dance and social robotics. Potenza’s major contribution is the conceptualization and feasibility testing of the SI-ROBOTICS protocol, which uniquely combines Irish dancing with socially assistive robots to address motor symptoms like rigidity and balance problems in PD patients. Her 2021 study protocol, cited 17 times, laid the groundwork for this interdisciplinary approach, while her 2025 technical feasibility study (10 citations) provided the first empirical evidence that such synergies are practical and promising. By demonstrating that dance—a joyful, rhythmic activity—can be enhanced through robotic companionship, Potenza is redefining rehabilitation for aging populations. Her work not only offers a creative alternative to traditional therapies but also opens new avenues for active and healthy aging, making her a key voice in the growing field of social robotics for healthcare.