Yvonne Cagle

Ames Research Center, Johnson Space Center

Papers

Total Citations

311

H-Index

About

Dr. Yvonne Cagle is a pioneering force at the intersection of aerospace medicine, surgical innovation, and artificial intelligence. Her research primarily focuses on integrating AI into surgical robotics and neurosurgery, where she explores how autonomous systems can enhance precision and outcomes. Her landmark 2019 paper, "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Surgical Robotics," with 199 citations, analyzes the groundbreaking Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR), which outperformed human surgeons in suturing tasks. In her equally influential work, "Promises and Perils of Artificial Intelligence in Neurosurgery" (110 citations), Dr. Cagle critically examines the transformative potential and ethical challenges of AI-driven clinical automation. Beyond these contributions, she has advanced space medicine through her work on the Virtual Glovebox—a simulation technology for the International Space Station—demonstrating her versatility in tackling complex, high-stakes environments. A NASA astronaut and physician, Dr. Cagle’s career exemplifies how interdisciplinary research can push the boundaries of human capability, from the operating room to outer space.