Sareli Gibaja

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

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About

Sareli Gibaja is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics and mental healthcare, whose work focuses on developing humanoid robots capable of providing therapeutic support to isolated patients. Her most significant contribution is the design and implementation of Qhali, an expressive humanoid robot specifically engineered to assist in mental health treatment—a project that has already garnered 9 citations since its 2024 publication. Gibaja’s research uniquely integrates industrial design, closed-loop control systems, and gesture expression to create robots that can perform natural, socially appropriate body language movements, addressing a critical gap in human-robot interaction. Her 2023 paper on nonlinear control systems for body language movements (5 citations) demonstrates her technical expertise in ensuring robots move with both functional precision and social grace. Through her preliminary validation studies (2022, 3 citations), Gibaja has shown that these robots can effectively engage isolated hospital patients, paving the way for scalable, non-pharmacological interventions in mental health. Her work stands out for its human-centered approach, combining rigorous engineering with compassionate application, making her a key figure in the emerging field of socially assistive robotics for clinical settings.