Medical Student
Dow International Medical College
Zunaira Pathan, Final-Year MBBS Candidate and Medical Student at Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan, is an aspiring neurosurgeon with a strong academic interest in the use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other modern technologies in neurosurgical care. Her work focuses on understanding how improved visualization tools and data-based systems can help surgeons operate more safely, plan procedures better, and support clinical decision-making in complex neurological cases.
During her undergraduate medical training, Zunaira has actively pursued opportunities in neurosurgical research as well as international clinical exposure. She gained observational experience in busy neurosurgical operating settings, where she observed a range of cranial and skull-base surgeries. These experiences further strengthened her commitment to neurosurgery and encouraged her interest in the practical use of technology to support surgical practice and innovation.
As an early-career researcher, Zunaira has shown strong initiative by undertaking independent academic projects, submitting conference work, and developing structured research and writing skills alongside her medical studies. She is currently working on a systematic review examining the role of artificial intelligence in detecting and predicting cerebral cavernous malformations. She has a particular interest in developing technologies that can be used inside the operating room to support surgeons and improve patient outcomes.
Zunaira is motivated by the growing connection between medicine, engineering, and artificial intelligence, and hopes to contribute to the future of precision-based neurosurgical care through continued research, innovation, and academic involvement. She believes that future advances in neurosurgery will increasingly rely on smarter surgical systems, improved imaging and visualization, and predictive analytical tools, and she remains committed to contributing to this progress through her clinical training and research work.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
The Role of Augmented Reality in Neurosurgery: Bridging Innovation and Education
Friday, May 1, 2026
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM CT