Fran Soljacic

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About

Fran Soljacic is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics and healthcare, whose work fundamentally shapes how we envision human-robot collaboration in care settings. Her primary research areas include human-robot interaction, assistive robotics, and the sociotechnical dimensions of healthcare automation. Soljacic’s most influential contribution, "Robots in healthcare as envisioned by care professionals" (2024), has garnered 27 citations and represents a critical shift in the field—moving beyond technical feasibility to examine how caregivers, nurses, and healthcare providers themselves perceive and anticipate robotic integration. By centering the voices of care professionals, she illuminates the nuanced ways robots must address not only physical assistance but also emotional, ethical, and relational dimensions of care. Her work challenges the field to design robots that augment rather than replace human touch and judgment. With a growing citation footprint and a reputation for bridging engineering and social science, Soljacic is establishing herself as a vital voice in responsible robotics—one whose insights will guide the next generation of healthcare technologies that truly serve both patients and those who care for them.