Afsaneh Doryab

University of Virginia, Helicopter Association International

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Afsaneh Doryab is a leading researcher at the intersection of affective computing, human-robot interaction, and pediatric healthcare. Her work focuses on developing adaptive, emotionally-aware robotic systems that can sense, learn from, and respond to human affective states in real time. A key contribution is her pioneering research on using humanoid robots for pain management in children, where she has demonstrated how robots can accurately assess and respond to pediatric pain—a critical need given children’s heightened risk for traumatic medical stress and chronic pain development. Her 2021 paper on this topic has garnered significant attention, accumulating 6 citations and establishing a new paradigm for non-pharmacological pain intervention. Doryab has also advanced the field of emotion-aware robotics by designing self-learning systems that enable robots to recognize and adapt to individual users’ emotional expressions during complex social interactions, as detailed in her 2022 work (3 citations). This personalization capability is essential for moving beyond rigid, one-size-fits-all robotic responses. Through her innovative integration of machine learning, affective sensing, and robotic platforms, Doryab is shaping a future where robots can serve as compassionate, responsive partners in clinical and caregiving settings.