BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
Title: Surgical Innovation and Translational Cancer Research
Speaker: Akshay Sood

My research is typically divided into two main areas. One area focuses on surgical innovation, where I have collaborated with the CDME team to develop a novel biopsy device. This device helps improve patient risk stratification for urothelial cancer.

I also focus on translational research, where we work to develop new biomarkers to help treat patients and support follow‑up care for prostate and bladder cancer.

We are currently in the process of moving this work into the mainstream. We received an accelerator award, which helped us develop our biopsy device from an initial idea into an alpha prototype. This prototype has been tested on the bench and appears to be working well.

The most important source of inspiration for this work has been the patients. Talking with patients and listening to their goals and needs has helped shape how we think about innovation and the development of new technologies to better support them.

No one can do truly meaningful research alone. Although I am speaking here by myself, I work as part of a team. I am very humbled and honored to have been selected for this award.

To be honest, I was not expecting it, as there are many individuals with exceptional talent who are doing outstanding discovery work here at Ohio State University. I feel truly humbled to receive this recognition.

END TRANSCRIPT