Mississippi State University researchers receive SMART Act grant to advance AI-driven surgical technology

Studio portrait of Zahra Saadatizadeh
(photo by Beth Wynn / © Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University researchers are advancing cutting-edge medical technology with support from Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning through the Securing Mississippi’s Agreement for Research and Technology Act.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor Zahra Saadatizadeh; MSU data science instructor Pedram Chavoshipour Heris and MSU College of Veterinary Medicine clinical professor Andy Shores have been awarded $84,961 through the SMART Business Accelerate Initiative Application to lead a project titled “Physics-Informed AI-Driven Precision-Power Electrosurgical System with Reduced Collateral Tissue Damage.”

Their research focuses on developing an advanced electrosurgical system that uses artificial intelligence and real-time data to improve surgical precision. By integrating physics-informed modeling with AI, the system continuously adjusts power delivery based on voltage, current, and thermal feedback. The goal is simple but significant: reduce unintended tissue damage, enhance patient safety, and improve the reliability of surgical tools used in operating rooms every day.

This work represents the kind of innovation the SMART Act was designed to support, bridging the gap between university research and real-world application. By combining applied research with commercialization pathways, the initiative helps ensure that promising technologies don’t stay in the lab but move toward meaningful impact in healthcare and beyond.

As part of the project, the team will also participate in NSF Regional I-Corps training, supported by Mississippi State University Office of Technology Management and the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach. This program focuses on customer discovery and market validation, helping translate research into viable products that can benefit patients, providers, and the broader medical community.