PhD student wins big at HealthTech Week 2024
Muhammad Saad Khan has been recognised by the healthcare technology community for his PhD research, receiving the prestigious Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT) Early Career Research Award and the People’s Choice Research Poster Award during the HealthTech Week 2024 Conference.
HealthTech Week is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national conference for the health technology industry. Several hundred academics, healthcare providers, industry experts, and students gather to share and learn about the latest advancements in health technology.
Muhammad Saad Khan was invited to attend and present his work at this year’s conference in Auckland. Saad was then selected for the Early Career Research Award by the CDMT committee, a group of leading researchers from the University of Auckland, Otago University, and Victoria University of Wellington. The Award is given to postgraduate students engaged in research and development of medical-related technologies and celebrates innovative future leaders in the field. Saad was also the recipient of the People’s Choice Award voted on by attendees of the event—a further testament to the importance of his innovative work among the health tech community.
Saad says that winning the Early Career Research Award is “a significant milestone in my academic journey and provides me with a strong foundation to continue advancing my research.”
Saad’s research looks at integrating Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the accuracy of radiology diagnostics and improve the training of radiologists.
“XR technology allows radiologists to interact with 3D images of a patient’s anatomy, such as virtual models of the heart or brain, providing a more detailed understanding of complex structures. AI complements this by rapidly analysing large volumes of medical images, identifying patterns, and offering insights that might be overlooked by the human eye.”
Saad Acknowledges the incredible support he has received from his mentors and the opportunities provided by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
“The University’s strong focus on innovation and collaboration has enabled me to connect with industry partners and fellow researchers, which has been invaluable in advancing my research.”
Following his success, Saad has big aspirations for the future of his work.
“I aim to translate my research into practical tools that can be used in hospitals and medical schools. My goal is to see XR and AI technologies widely adopted in radiology. I hope my work will contribute to a future where medical errors are minimised and patient care is significantly enhanced through technology."
Learn more about Saad's Research Project.