Setareh Aghel Manesh

Experience

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  University of Calgary

  Sept 2012 - Jun 2017

  In this research, we explored the impact of empathetic robotics in reducing pain and anxiety in children during medical procedures. Our focus was on Medi, a humanoid robot designed as a caring social companion for pediatric patients, particularly during challenging experiences such as blood tests.We developed and implemented empathetic behaviors in Medi, aiming to create a nurturing and engaging environment. These behaviors enabled Medi to engage in meaningful conversations with children, using a combination of physical and verbal interactions.The application of our research took place at Alberta Children’s Hospital, where we tested Medi's effectiveness during blood draw procedures using the Wizard of Oz (WoZ) methodology. Our approach involved direct interaction sessions, collecting quantitative and qualitative data through questionnaires and video recordings, and thoroughly analyzing these findings. Our study, involving 80 participants, demonstrated promising results, showing that Medi significantly helps in reducing pain and anxiety in children.This research provided important insights into pain management strategies in the medical field and the role of socially interactive robots in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). It highlights my expertise in HRI and empathetic design, underscoring my commitment to improving pediatric healthcare experiences through innovative technology. This thesis contributes significantly to the field of socially interactive empathetic robots, emphasizing the importance of integrating advanced technological solutions in healthcare to enhance patient care and outcomes. Show less

  • Medi, Social Human Robot Interaction in Pediatric Health

    Sept 2012 - Jun 2017

  • Teaching Assistant

    Sept 2012 - Jun 2014
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  University of Calgary

  Jan 2023 - May 2023

  Academic Misconduct Workflow Specialist Advisor

  I worked closely with the Faculty of Science dean's office and CPSC department coheads to transform the traditional Academic Misconduct procedures into a more user-friendly process. This effort focused on enhancing information gathering, automating document generation, and streamlining case management. A significant part of this initiative involved creating a process visualization, which was crucial for clear communication with various stakeholders and for accurately assessing the scope of the project. Show less

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  Singapore Management University

  Jun 2023 - Dec 2023

  Visiting Researcher Funded by Mitacs

  As a Visiting Researcher at Singapore Management University, supported by the Mitacs Globalink Research Award, I played an instrumental role in developing an innovative conversational agent. This pioneering project empowers non-programmers to create immersive, interactive VR experiences through speech, eliminating the need for coding, by utilizing large language models. My contributions included collaborating with the HCI group at SMU under the supervision of Tony Tang and creating a working agent in Singapore to further advance the project in Canada through the final development stages and conducting a user study. This endeavor harnesses the power of generative AI to transform the realm of spatial and immersive interactive world design. Show less

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  University of Calgary

  Dec 2023 - Apr 2024

  Sessional Instructor

  In my role as a Sessional Instructor for CPSC217 at the University of Calgary, I will teach students not just the basics of coding, but how to think critically and creatively about programming. With a curriculum centered around Python, I emphasize the importance of problem-solving skills and logical reasoning in coding, guiding students through a journey that builds a strong foundation in programming and inspires a passion for technology.

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  Autodesk Research

  May 2024 - Jul 2024

  Research Intern