Maja Mataric´

Prof. Maja Mataric´ is the Chan Soon-Shiong Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at the University of Southern California (USC), founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, and current Interim Vice President of Research. She previously served as Vice Dean of Research for the Viterbi School of Engineering (2006-2019) and President of the USC Academic Senate (2006-2007).

Her educational background includes a PhD and MS in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Kansas.

Mataric´ pioneered socially assistive robotics, evolving from foundational work in robot navigation/mapping to multi-robot coordination and robot learning from demonstration. Her current research develops human-robot interaction algorithms for behavior change in rehabilitation, education, and healthcare, with deployments in homes, hospitals, and classrooms for autism therapy, stroke recovery, and dementia care. Her work integrates robotics, AI, and personalized health interventions through extensive real-world testing.

Her major honors include:

• Fellow of AAAS, IEEE, AAAI, and ACM
• Anita Borg Women of Vision Award for Innovation
• NSF Career Award and MIT TR35 Innovation Award
• IEEE Robotics Early Career Award
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentoring (2011)

She leads USC's K-12 STEM Center, developing open-source robotics curricula and equity-focused outreach programs. Her $10M+ grant portfolio includes NSF, NIH, and foundation funding for socially assistive robotics research and STEM education initiatives.

Mataric´ co-founded Embodied, Inc. (2016-2018), launching the Moxie robot for child therapy, and directs the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center where her lab conducts longitudinal human-robot interaction studies.