Laura Boccanfuso

Laura Boccanfuso has a diverse work experience in the field of robotics and education. Laura is the founder and CEO of Vän Robotics, a company that develops AI-enabled robot tutors to enhance academic learning for K-8 students. Through machine learning and sensing, Vän Robotics personalizes core skills instruction for individual students. Prior to this, Laura worked at Yale University as an Associate Research Scientist and a Postdoctoral Associate. Laura also completed their Ph.D. in Computer Science (Socially Assistive Robotics) at the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Laura served as the Program Coordinator for Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at USC, where they assisted undergraduate participants in research and paper writing for publication.

Laura Boccanfuso has a strong educational background in computer science and engineering. Laura obtained their PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of South Carolina, where they studied from 2008 to 2013. Prior to that, Laura earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University. Laura also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the George Mason University Department of Communication.

After completing their doctoral studies, Laura pursued a PostDoc at Yale University from 2014 to 2017, specializing in Social Robotics. Laura'sresearch and academic journey have equipped their with a comprehensive understanding of computer science, engineering, and communication.

In addition to their academic achievements, Laura Boccanfuso has obtained a certification in "Excellence in Service Innovation with Impact to Society" from the International Society of Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP) in April 2022. This certification reflects their dedication to innovative and impactful service in their field of expertise.