Stephanie Nguyen

Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Stephanie Nguyen’s research bridges the cutting edge of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and socially intelligent robotics, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for children. Her most cited work, “Integrated cardiothoracic surgery: Navigating interviews and the match” (2020, 7 citations), provides essential guidance for aspiring surgeons, reflecting her commitment to mentorship and education. In a striking interdisciplinary leap, Nguyen co-authored “Authenticity and Co-Design: On Responsibly Creating Relational Robots for Children” (2023, 4 citations), which introduces Tega—a blue, fluffy, AI-enabled relational robot designed to form genuine bonds with children. Tega aids early childhood education by talking, playing educational games, solving puzzles, and co-creating stories, demonstrating Nguyen’s dedication to responsible, human-centered AI. Most recently, her 2025 paper “Robotic approach for surgical correction of scimitar syndrome via direct anastomosis” (2 citations) showcases her technical innovation in minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery, describing a novel robotic technique for a rare congenital condition. With work spanning from the operating room to the robotics lab, Nguyen’s research is defined by its compassionate, child-focused impact—whether through life-saving surgical procedures or emotionally intelligent machines that learn and grow alongside their young users.