Sujay Shankar, a student at Texas A&M’s School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) in collaboration with Houston Methodist, is making significant strides in thoracic medicine. As part of EnMed’s unique program, blending engineering and medical training, he is learning to tackle complex healthcare challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Shankar was recently interviewed by Fox 26 Houston’s Health Watch to highlight the impact of his work and its potential for real-world application in treating esophageal tears.
“In this program, we train to become both medical doctors and engineers. The exciting part is that we get hands-on experience in both fields, working alongside doctors to identify problems and engineer solutions,” Shankar said in a live interview with Fox 26 Houston’s Health Watch.
Click the image above and scroll down approximately 3/4 down the page to watch the video.
One area of his focus is improving treatments for esophageal tears, a serious condition that can cause dangerous infections and even be fatal. The esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach, can develop holes that require complicated surgical procedures.
Current treatments are often highly invasive, involving the removal and stitching of damaged sections, which can result in extended recovery times and repeated hospital visits. Shankar is currently working on a minimally invasive alternative that could revolutionize how esophageal tears are treated.
“Our goal is to create a solution that can positively impact patient care by reducing recovery times and hospital stays.”
EnMed plays an important role in supporting Shankar throughout the development of this project by providing the ideal interdisciplinary environment for engineering, medicine, and innovation.
“I was able to observe a surgeon in the operating room, recognize a problem, and immediately start working on a solution. That’s the power of combining medicine with engineering and turning real-world challenges into opportunities for innovation.”
With continued research and development, this breakthrough could mark a significant advancement in thoracic medicine, offering patients a safer and more efficient treatment option in the future.
