AI and ML are no longer emerging technologies. They have become disruptive technologies in various fields like education, manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and of course healthcare too. AI solutions are being used everywhere across the globe by diverse industry verticals. AI solutions have been useful in overcoming a wide range of challenges that exist in the real world.
In recent years, women in India have made enormous advances as AI influencers and AI researchers. One such AI influencer in India is Dr. Geetha Manjunath.
Dr. Geetha Manjunath is the Co-founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, a tech-based start-up that has developed a novel solution for breast cancer diagnosis in women. The word ‘Niramai’ in Sanskrit means ‘being free from illness’.
Dr. Geetha’s – Education and work experience
- Dr. Geetha has completed her Master’s Degree and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). She has also been awarded a gold medal at the same institute.
- She was a part of the C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) team that developed the first Indian supercomputer.
- She worked for 17 years at Hewlett Packard Labs (India) as a research scientist.
- She joined Xerox Research Centre India (XRCI) where she was the head of Data Analytics Research.
How did Dr. Geetha turn into an AI influencer? How was Niramai born?
In the year 2013, two women from Dr. Geetha’s family were diagnosed with breast cancer. They were just in their later thirties and early forties and both had young children. This was a very distressing and disturbing time for Dr. Geetha and her family. This is when she started actively reading about breast cancer. Coincidentally, at her workplace, she was dealing with imaging technology. Dr. Geetha realized that thermal imaging can be useful in detecting breast cancer. This is how Niramai was born and Dr. Geetha turned into an entrepreneur.
How does Niramai detect breast cancer?
There are almost 1.38 million breast cancer cases every year. Mammography is the most commonly used technique to detect breast cancer. However, most women are not comfortable with it since it involves exposure to radiation and there is face-to-face contact with the technician. Many women in India suffer from breast cancer at an early age. When detected at a later stage, it is difficult to treat. This is where the technology used at Dr. Geetha’s Niramai can be useful.
- The technology used at Niramai is thermography.
- Cancerous cells multiply at a faster rate compared to normal cells. This also means that the blood flow to such cells is also more.
- The thermal image produced in thermography can detect hotspots that are cancerous.
- The use of AI and ML confirms whether these hotspots are actually malignant or not.
- There have been several clinical trials conducted and the number of false-positive results is hardly any compared to the positive diagnosis.
Why is Niramai unique and beneficial for women?
- It is a radiation-free and non-invasive means of detecting breast cancer. No incisions need to be made.
- It is an extremely accurate, sensitive, and specific means of breast cancer detection.
- Privacy of women is completely respected – No contact, No touch, No see.
The future of Dr. Geetha’s Niramai and the robust technology
- Early detection and treatment can help prevent breast cancer deaths in India.
- The Niramai breast cancer test is quite affordable and portable too. Any clinic or hospital can make use of it.
- Niramai takes care of all the socio-cultural stigmas associated with the diagnosis of breast cancer as complete confidentiality and privacy is maintained.
- The technology used at Niramai can not only be used for the diagnosis of breast cancer but other diseases as well.
- Niramai has received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the diagnosis of a disease named River blindness.
AI influencers like Dr. Geetha Manjunath are role models for everyone, especially those individuals who wish to make a career in STEM in the future.
