Mariana de Melo

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About

Mariana de Melo is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of assistive robotics and neurorehabilitation, with a primary focus on developing robotic tools for cognitive and language recovery. Her most impactful work, "Using Assistive Robotics for Aphasia Rehabilitation" (2019, 11 citations), introduces a novel approach to treating aphasia—a language disorder often resulting from stroke—by employing a humanoid robot as a mediator in memory-based therapeutic games. This contribution is significant because it expands the application of assistive robotics beyond traditional motor rehabilitation into the domain of cognitive-linguistic therapy, addressing a critical gap in post-stroke care. By demonstrating how robots can facilitate engaging, repetitive language exercises, de Melo’s research offers a scalable, interactive solution that may improve patient motivation and recovery outcomes. Her work has been recognized for its interdisciplinary innovation, bridging robotics, clinical psychology, and speech-language pathology. Though early in her career, de Melo’s findings are already informing the design of more accessible, home-based rehabilitation technologies, positioning her as a rising voice in human-robot interaction for healthcare.