Cynthia Matuszek

Cynthia Matuszek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She directs UMBC’s Interactive Robotics and Language lab, focusing on enabling robots to learn from human interaction using natural language. Her research spans robotics, machine learning, human-robot interaction (HRI), and natural language processing (NLP). Notably, she was recognized in IEEE's 2018 '10 to Watch in AI' list.

Dr. Matuszek holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Washington (2014, 2010) and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin (2000). Her work bridges theoretical and applied domains, addressing challenges in grounded language learning, multimodal data fusion, and ethical AI deployment.

Her recent publications emphasize cybersecurity (e.g., malware detection using compact features), neurosymbolic reasoning, and the integration of large language models into robotics. The lab’s work often explores VR-based human-robot collaboration scenarios, leveraging photogrammetry and simulation for reproducible studies.

Key thematic trends in her articles include:

• Advancing grounded language learning through cross-modal alignment and interactive labeling
• Developing ethical AI systems capable of moral reasoning and command rejection
• Pioneering domain-specific cybersecurity solutions using tensor factorization and vector stores
• Expanding multilingual and multimodal capabilities for robots in unstructured environments

Her research also addresses societal impacts, including studies on gender stereotypes in AI datasets and privacy implications of pervasive robotics. The lab’s work often intersects with NSF-funded initiatives, such as the CAREER award for inclusive robotic learning environments.