Steven McPhail

National Oceanography Centre, Queensland University of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Steven McPhail’s research bridges the frontiers of robotic ocean exploration and health economics, demonstrating a rare versatility in engineering and medical decision-making. His most-cited work, the 2022 paper introducing the AURORA multi-sensor dataset, addresses a critical bottleneck in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operations: the high cost and logistical difficulty of at-sea deployments. By providing a comprehensive, open-access dataset, McPhail enables researchers to develop and test perception and navigation algorithms without expensive sea trials, accelerating progress in marine robotics. This contribution has garnered 21 citations and positions him as a key enabler in practical AUV applications for scientific and industrial use. In a striking pivot, McPhail also leads health technology assessments, exemplified by his 2024 cost-effectiveness analysis comparing microwave ablation to robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for small renal masses in Australia. This study, with 2 citations, directly informs clinical and policy decisions by evaluating relative value in a resource-constrained healthcare system. McPhail’s work exemplifies how rigorous quantitative methods—whether in sensor fusion or economic modeling—can drive innovation and efficiency across domains as diverse as ocean science and oncology.