Dr Hardik J Pandya from IISc Bengaluru delivered Lectures at SMVDU

Dr. Hardik J. Pandya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, Division of EECS, and Associate Faculty, Department of Design and Manufacturing, Division of Mechanical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore delivered Invited talks on Neural Engineering in Advanced Health Care Technologies on 07^th March 2024 from 10.30 AM to 12.30 Noon and 2.30PM to 4.00PM aimed to foster academic and research collaboration between the two esteemed institutions. The first talk titled ‘Invasive and Non-Invasive Technologies for Neural Engineering’ focused on clinical challenges in neural oncology, neurophysiology, and neurotherapeutics, for which integrated solutions have been developed based on micro engineered devices and electronic systems engineering. The talk covered an intraoperative probe integrated with microchips for brain tumor delineation using electromechanical characterization and soft robotics, silicon-based microneedles for deep brain recordings and flexible electrode arrays for surface recordings toward understanding rodent neurophysiology, particularly during Parkinson’s disease and Epilepsy. Polyimide-based flexible 32-channel microelectrode arrays to identify the evoked seizures’ spatiotemporal behaviour was also discussed. On a quick and robust spatiotemporal analytical approach to delineate between normal and epileptic subjects, along with identifying the seizure type based on epileptiform discharges (spikes, sharps, and slow waves) counts were also explained.

The Talk two centered around a multimodal intraoperative probe integrating the opto-electro technology which can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of breast cancer margin assessment, leading to better patient outcomes and potentially reducing healthcare costs. Towards Multimodal Intraoperative Probe for Breast Cancer Diagnosis -the discussion focused on a micro-engineered silicon-based chip to elucidate the electro-thermo-mechanical properties of adjacent normal and cancerous breast tissue samples. Ultimately, integrating these modalities into a multimodal probe for effective breast cancer margin assessment.

Dr. K. R. Jha, Dean Faculty of Engineering graced the event and delivered the presidential address with a note about an importance and need of hour on micro and nano engineering system devices in advanced health care technologies. Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, Head of Electronics and Communication Engineering has delivered a special address with note micro communication system. Dr. Sumeet Gupta, Faculty In-charge Examination participated in the event and interacted with the expert. Third year B.Tech Mechanical and ECE students have participated and interacted with the expert. Dr. Mir Irfan Ulaq has expressed a sincere thanks to Prof. (Dr.) Hardik J Pandya for his time and interaction with faculties and students of SMVDU and Prof. (Dr.) Pargathi Kumar, Vice Chancellor for the permission and approval to this event. The Event was coordinated by Dr. M. Eswaramoorthy and Dr. Yatheshth Anand, School of Mechanical Engineering.