Call for bridging gap between biological, technological advances in medicine
Anantapur: Leading head and neck oncologist and surgeon Dr. U.S. Vishal Rao delivered the S.G. Sundaraswamy Memorial Lecture 2023 at the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Prasanthi Nilayam of Puttaparthi on Sunday.
The endowment lecture is organised annually in honour of late Sundaraswamy by his son S.S. Naganand, Trustee of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.
Speaking on the topic “Possibility to Actuality: Bridging the Gap Between Biological Advances and Technological Advances,” Dr. Vishal Rao explained in detail translational medicine that is disrupting the current state of medicine, reimagining evidence-based practices through technological advancements.
The talk discussed different stages of innovation, including research, incremental improvements, disruptive inventions and jugaad innovation or smart fixes within existing constraints.
Through several examples from his life, Dr. Vishal Rao felt the greatest tribute students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning could pay to their founder chancellor Sri Sathya Sai Baba would be to use the world-class research facilities available at the institute for the benefit of society.
He advocated integrating genomics, proteomics, microbiomics, and other scientific disciplines like physics, quantum physics and chemistry to foster a holistic approach to innovation.
Dr. Vishal Rao is a Fellow of Royal Society of Medicine. He is currently the country director for Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery at the HCG Cancer Centre in Bengaluru. He is the inventor of “Aum Voice Prosthesis” a $1 speaking device for throat cancer patients. His invention is a part of 100 global social innovations across the globe.
Chancellor K. Chakravarthi, vice-chancellor Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, registrar Dr. Srikanth Khanna, controller of examinations Dr. G.S. Srirangarajan, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust managing trustee R.J. Rathnakar and S. Naganand were present.
