Elena Mugellini

HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, HES-SO Fribourg

Papers

Total Citations

120

H-Index

About

Elena Mugellini is a leading researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and affective computing, with a focus on designing empathetic and intelligent systems for healthcare and wellbeing. Her work pioneers the development of virtual coaches and empathic agents that can understand and respond to human emotions, aiming to make technology more socially aware and supportive. Mugellini’s most cited paper, a systematic review on virtual coaches for older adults’ wellbeing (62 citations), establishes her as a key voice in using AI for cost-effective health interventions. She further explores the critical role of empathy in human-machine communication, investigating how chatbots can provide compassionate medical assistance (42 citations) and proposing new frameworks for measuring empathy in artificial agents. Her research also extends to creating emotionally responsive smart environments, where interactive surfaces and furniture can display and share emotional states. By blending technical innovation with deep psychological insight, Mugellini’s work has significant implications for the future of healthcare, assistive technology, and socially integrated AI, shaping how machines can better support human wellbeing.