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About

Olimpia Pino is a researcher at the forefront of human-robot interaction and cognitive rehabilitation, specializing in the application of social robotics to support individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. Her work pioneers the integration of humanoid robots — particularly NAO and Pepper — into structured cognitive training programs for elderly populations, exploring how these technologies can serve as effective therapeutic partners alongside clinical professionals. Pino's most influential contribution, "The Humanoid Robot NAO as Trainer in a Memory Program for Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment" (2019), has accumulated 115 citations, establishing her as a key voice in robot-assisted therapy research. Across her body of work, she has advanced methods for real-time emotion detection during robotic cognitive sessions, enabling more responsive and personalized interventions. Her investigations into patient engagement, adherence, and affective states during robot-assisted training have helped legitimize these approaches within clinical rehabilitation contexts. Particularly notable is her sustained focus on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy delivered through social robots in both individual and group settings, bridging affective computing, gerontechnology, and neuropsychological rehabilitation. Her research offers meaningful pathways toward scalable, technology-enhanced support for aging populations facing cognitive decline.