Concentration: Medical Technology and Innovation

Project Mentor: François Luks MD PhD

Graduation Year: MD 2010

Concentration Title:
Head Mounted Imaging Display

Concentration Description:
The summer following first year of medical school, I began my concentration by sending my time in the lab of Bharat Ramratnam. My main duty there was t build a mRNA library and learn basic lab techniques. This was funded with an SRA. During the second year of medical school I continued my concentration with two separate projects. First, I began an internship at Brown Technology Partnerships. Under the guidance of the staff here I was given several technologies to evaluate and work on marketing for. This involved reading patent applications, talking and meeting with researchers, and identifying companies that may be interested in these technologies. This was valuable experience that allowed me to learn the basics of licensing and technology transfer. I also surveyed several engineering classes including Business Engineering Fundamentals I (FALL), and Innovation and Technology Management II (SPRING). I attended these classes as a observer my medical school schedule allowed. In addition to the intern experience and additional course work, I also conducted a research project on a specific technology. With Dr. Francois Luks as my advisor, I designed and conducted a study to evaluate the effect of head mounted imaging displays on laparoscopic trainer performance in med students. I have also continued to meet with Dr. Luks to discuss additional studies that may be conducted to evaluate new imaging techniques and computer algorithms that his colleagues have developed since my project started.