Adam Santorelli
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, Irish Research Council
Papers
9
Total Citations
362
H-Index
6
About
Adam Santorelli is a prominent researcher specializing in assistive robotics, dementia care, and human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on improving quality of life for older adults living with cognitive impairment. His work centers on the MARIO project, a European Horizon 2020-funded initiative that developed a companion robot designed to combat loneliness, social isolation, and cognitive decline in people with dementia residing in long-term care settings. Santorelli's most influential contribution, a 2018 literature review on the acceptability of social robots by older adults, has garnered 153 citations, establishing him as a key voice in understanding the human factors that shape technology adoption in vulnerable populations. Through rigorous pilot studies, qualitative stakeholder interviews, and case-based analyses, he systematically evaluated MARIO's real-world impact on depression, perceived social support, resilience, and overall wellbeing. His work is notable for its person-centered methodology, meaningfully involving people with dementia throughout the research process rather than treating them as passive subjects. With a cumulative citation count exceeding 360, Santorelli's research has meaningfully advanced the evidence base for socially assistive robotics, offering practical insights for clinicians, care home designers, and technologists working at the intersection of aging, technology, and compassionate care.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Interacting with Dementia: The MARIO Approach24 citations · 2017
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- 7Investigating the Effect of Social Robot Embodiment4 citations · 2017
- 8Can robots improve the quality of life in people with dementia?3 citations · 2018
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