Laura Montalbano

Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Laura Montalbano is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of pediatric healthcare and human-robot interaction. Her work centers on leveraging social robotics to improve therapeutic outcomes for children with chronic conditions, particularly asthma. In her most-cited study, "Social robots and therapeutic adherence: A new challenge in pediatric asthma?" (2020, 22 citations), Montalbano explores how companion robots can enhance medication adherence and disease management in young patients—a critical issue given that non-adherence in pediatric asthma leads to preventable hospitalizations. This innovative approach positions her as a leader in the emerging field of child-robot interaction for health behavior change. Beyond this flagship paper, Montalbano’s research integrates behavioral psychology, human-computer interaction, and clinical pediatrics, demonstrating how empathetic, socially engaging robots can motivate children to follow treatment plans. Her work has been recognized for its translational potential, bridging lab-based robotics with real-world clinical applications. For students and researchers, Montalbano’s contributions highlight a compelling future where technology becomes a compassionate partner in pediatric care, transforming how we address chronic illness management in vulnerable populations.