Brian Scassellati
About Brian Scassellati
Brian Scassellati is the A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Mechanical Engineering at Yale University, where he has worked since 2001. His research focuses on using humanoid robots to study infant social skill acquisition and to assist in diagnosing social development disorders such as autism.
Work at Yale University
Brian Scassellati has been serving as the A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Mechanical Engineering at Yale University since 2001. In this role, he conducts research that evaluates models of how infants acquire social skills, particularly through the use of humanoid robots. His work emphasizes the development of robots that can interact with humans using natural social cues, contributing to advancements in both robotics and cognitive science.
Education and Expertise
Brian Scassellati completed his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied from 1990 to 2001. He earned a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Computer Science, as well as a Bachelor of Science (S.B.). His academic background provides a strong foundation for his research in humanoid robotics and cognitive development.
Research Focus
Scassellati's research primarily focuses on the construction of humanoid robots that can assist in the diagnosis and quantification of social development disorders, including autism. He evaluates how these robots can facilitate the understanding of social skills acquisition in infants. His innovative approach combines robotics with cognitive science to address significant developmental challenges.
Previous Experience at MIT
Before his tenure at Yale University, Brian Scassellati spent six years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a Graduate Student from 1995 to 2001. Following this, he worked as a Post-doctoral researcher for three months in 2001. His experiences at MIT contributed to his expertise in computer science and robotics.