The National Academies of Engineering (NAE) recently announced their newly elected members list, and among the many distinguished new members is previous CCC Council member, Maja Matarić. Dr. Matarić, the Chan Soon-Shiong Chair and professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at the University of Southern California (USC), was elected for her pioneering contributions to human-robot interaction and socially assistive robotics.
Matarić’s research focuses on developing socially assistive robots that provide personalized assistance through social interaction rather than physical intervention. Her research has led to applications that aid children with autism, elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke survivors, among others. The interplay between humans and machines serves as both the inspiration and the guiding principle for her research. The overarching objectives of her research are twofold: to develop AI systems that are capable of delivering individualized user experiences, and to gain deeper insights into human behavior by examining the dynamics of human-machine interactions.
Dr. Matarić served as a member of the CCC Council from 2016 – 2019. During her time on the council, she co-authored two CCC-led white papers on the topics of AI and robotics (Next Generation Robotics and Advances in Artificial Intelligence Require Progress Across all of Computer Science) as well as participated in 5 CCC workshops. In 2014, Matarić also ran a CCC-sponsored workshop, titled, “Interacting with the Computers All Around Us,” which focused on improving how computers interact with people and their surroundings.
In addition to her recent NAE election, Matarić’s accolades include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2009. She was also elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2023.
Maja Matarić’s election to the National Academy of Engineering not only honors her individual achievements but also highlights the transformative potential of socially assistive robotics in addressing societal challenges.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Maja Matarić on this incredible accomplishment.
