LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University welcomed more than 100 prominent scientists and physicians from around the world to its campus over the weekend as the host of the Multispecialty Robotic Microsurgery Symposium. The event was part of the fourth annual conference of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society (RAMSES).
University President Dr. Randy K. Avent welcomed the group of distinguished guests to campus – now one of Florida’s hubs for nanotechnology and bioengineering research.
“This event energized our students and our campus,” said Dr. Avent. “Even though we’ve only been open a few months, Florida Polytechnic is already becoming a gathering place for thought leaders in the fields of technology and engineering.”
Talk of robotics spread throughout campus as attendees learned about the latest advancements in robotics technology, and Florida Polytechnic University faculty members showcased their expertise. Provost Dr. Ghazi Darkazalli led a discussion on the future of bioengineering education, and professor and Director of Florida Poly’s Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials program, Dr. Rob MacCuspie, spoke on the future of Nanotechnology.
Participants also had the opportunity to view and experience a new da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The state-of-the-art system by Intuitive Surgical provides surgeons full, four-quadrant anatomical access and highly magnified 3DHD vision.
During a lunch break, event organizer Dr. Sijo Parekattil and two fellow physicians participated in a “Movember Robotic Shave Off,” in which they attempted to shave their faces robotically. Movember is an annual movement in which men go without shaving their mustaches for the month of November to spark conversation and raise awareness about men’s health issues.
The two-day RAMSES Conference began on Oct. 31 in Orlando, Fla. and featured leading speakers in robotic assisted and conventional microsurgical techniques, as well as trainings and workshops on various microsurgeries ranging from peripheral nerve surgery and anesthesiology to hand, plastics and reconstructive surgery.
“The RAMSES conference fit Florida Polytechnic perfectly,” said Dr. Sijo Parekattil a member of both the RAMSES Managing Board of Directors and the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. “The caliber of the research labs and faculty impressed us and the attendees. This is another great step for Florida Polytechnic as we work toward becoming a leader in STEM education.”
For more information on the RAMSES conference visit www.ramsesrobotics.com/conferences.