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About

Ruth Palan Lopez is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of gerontology, cognitive rehabilitation, and human-robot interaction. Her work focuses on leveraging social robotics to address the growing challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), with a particular emphasis on improving quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Her most-cited paper, a 2021 systematic review on robotic rehabilitation for cognitive training (101 citations), provides a comprehensive synthesis of how robotic technologies can mitigate cognitive deficits, establishing a foundational framework for the field. Lopez’s influential 2022 study assessing the acceptability of humanoid robots in ADRD care (33 citations) demonstrated strong stakeholder openness to robotic assistance, while her 2021 psycho-educational program for caregivers (13 citations) showed how social robots can reduce caregiver burden and improve mental health. By combining rigorous systematic reviews with user-centered acceptability studies, Lopez has advanced evidence-based guidelines for deploying robots in dementia care. Her work not only highlights the therapeutic potential of humanoid robots but also addresses critical implementation barriers, making her a key voice in shaping the future of technology-assisted geriatric care.