Audrey Lee

Papers

Total Citations

105

H-Index

About

Dr. Audrey Lee is a leading voice in the regulation and classification of autonomous surgical systems. Her research focuses on the critical intersection of robotic autonomy, surgical safety, and medical device policy. In her landmark 2024 systematic review, "Levels of autonomy in FDA-cleared surgical robots," Dr. Lee provided the first comprehensive framework for categorizing the autonomous capabilities of commercially available surgical robots—a contribution that has already garnered over 105 citations. This work exposed a critical gap: while surgical robots are rapidly gaining decision-making abilities, existing regulatory frameworks have not kept pace. By mapping the spectrum of autonomy from teleoperation to conditional independence, Dr. Lee's research directly informs how the FDA and international bodies should evaluate and approve next-generation systems. Her analysis is essential reading for engineers designing safer autonomous features and for policymakers crafting standards. Dr. Lee’s scholarship is shaping the future of how we trust machines in the operating room, ensuring that innovation proceeds with clear, evidence-based guardrails.