By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : April 29, 2026 11:33 am
SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre hosts undergraduate research expo highlighting innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role of artificial intelligence
SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre successfully hosted Illuminova ’26, its Undergraduate (UG) MBBS Research Expo, on April 28, 2026.
The event united innovation, academic excellence, and advanced technology under the theme “SRM Futuristic: Advancing Healthcare with AI.”
The event provided a vibrant platform for emerging medical professionals to present research, exchange ideas, and explore the fast-evolving convergence of medicine and artificial intelligence. Illuminova ’26 underscored SRM’s ongoing focus on embedding emerging technologies into both medical education and clinical practice.
A major highlight of the expo was the display of AI-powered healthcare “studios,” offering immersive glimpses into the future of medical systems. These included the AI-Assisted Rapid Mobile Response Unit, AI-Enabled Outpatient Department (OPD), AI-Integrated Operation Theatre, AI Smart Central Laboratory, and AI-Powered Medical Education Unit.
Each exhibit was developed in collaboration with engineering and interdisciplinary teams from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, showcasing real-world AI applications in diagnostics, patient care, surgical precision, and medical training. The displays highlighted improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making in modern healthcare delivery.
Dr. Sathyanarayan, Pro Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, said, “Illuminova 2026 embodies SRM’s vision of integrating innovation with medical education. By bringing AI into undergraduate research, we are empowering students to shape the future of healthcare with knowledge, creativity, and purpose.”
Reinforcing the institution’s philosophy on meaningful research, Dr. Jayanthi, Dean (Medical), SRMMCHRC, stated, “Research isn’t a checkbox of publications or metrics, it thrives when it reaches beyond the lab to touch real lives in our communities.”
The event also featured a comprehensive UG Research Poster Exhibition, showcasing 104 posters across 18 medical departments. The projects ranged from conceptual work to ongoing and completed studies, reflecting strong interdisciplinary collaboration and the academic rigour of undergraduate students.
Dr Prantar Chakrabarti, Chief Medical Director at Sugah Healthcorp, Chennai, emphasised, “AI is a double-edged weapon. Do not lose your human characters, your way of looking at a person, your empathy, your communication. And no kind of AI can work in healthcare without a human in the loop, be it a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or emergency medical technician.”
Prof Dr K. Narayanasamy, Vice-Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, highlighted the importance of holistic development: “The four I’s; Interest, Involvement, Innovative Thinking. These will shape your Identity not just within SRM, but across the globe. Learn beyond your curriculum, and you won’t just grow individually; you’ll elevate the institution itself.”