Funda Yildirim
Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
Funda Yildirim is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, cognitive neuroscience, and human-robot interaction (HRI). Her work uniquely combines mobile neuroimaging with behavioral studies to decode how humans perceive and emotionally respond to artificial agents. Yildirim’s most cited study (2022, 12 citations) leverages functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore the neural correlates of HRI, revealing how the prefrontal cortex processes social cognition and emotional engagement during real-time robot encounters—a methodological breakthrough for mobile brain imaging. She has also made significant contributions to understanding the uncanny valley effect, demonstrating that eeriness is amplified with multimodal (visual + auditory) stimuli and varies across age groups (2021, 3 citations). This work challenges traditional visual-only models and has implications for designing more acceptable social robots for diverse populations. Yildirim’s research bridges engineering, psychology, and neuroscience, offering empirical frameworks for creating robots that feel less alien and more intuitive. Her innovative use of fNIRS in HRI positions her as a leader in ecologically valid neuroergonomics, with future work poised to reshape how we build empathetic, socially aware machines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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