AI based screening solutions are broadening the horizons of proactive diagnosis, thus taking health care to a whole new level by bringing about “Equity driven diagnostic excellence (DxEqEx)”

Dr Renu Ethirajan, our next pathbreaker, Doctor turned Medical Evangelist at SigTuple, supports in the creation of AI based solutions in pathology.

Renu talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about making the transition from a clinical setting to contributing to the medical knowledge of digital healthcare platforms that help in expanding the reach and quality of health care to underserved areas.

For students, study smart, be informed, have an open mind, learn to adapt and embrace change. And most importantly, be focused on your goal.

Renu, Your background?

I am a hemato-oncopathologist by profession, currently working as a Chief Medical Evangelist for a tech company called SigTuple.

Born in India, I grew up in Kuwait and had a fabulous childhood with my dear parents. My mother was a computer science teacher and my father was a manager in the Chambers of Commerce & industry

I always dreamt of becoming a doctor – a cardiologist, although later, life had other plans.

But I did focus on my goals and work towards the goal of seeking a seat in med school.

I was a good student, committed and dedicated with good grades. I was also an all rounder with keen interest in sports, music, recitation, oration and team building activities.

I was the captain of the basketball team in high school and school captain as well.

Music was my passion – I played the guitar and keyboard.

My parents taught me that there was no substitute for consistency and hard work. So I followed a kind of timetable throughout the day to put my plans into action and follow a disciplined way of life which was also filled with fun. I loved reading and devoured lots of books on mystery and fiction. Was also interested in Encyclopedias and geography.

All this while focusing on science and medicine which I eventually got into.

What did you do for graduation and post-graduation?

I have completed my MBBS and post graduation from Father Muller medical college Mangalore.
After MBBS, I completed my internship from St. Stephens Medical college in Delhi and worked
as a junior resident in Internal medicine for 2 years before pursuing my post-graduation in
Pathology at Father Muller medical college in Mangalore where I worked for 4 years before
joining Anand Diagnostic laboratory in Bangalore

What were some of the influences that led you to a career in Pathology?

My key influencers were my grandfather who was also my mentor, and all my teachers.

I still remember my first step into med school – a big dream coming true and finally stepping out as a pathologist ready to face the world

The 1st turning point was when I started independent practice at HCG Bangalore as Chief of Hematology, Flow cytometry and blood banking.

The 2nd turning point was when a tech company approached me to join them as director. A completely new ball game, new environment, working with engineers. But I took the plunge and there was no looking back. I shifted gears and an still racing on.

The thought process has always been to keep an open mind and keep acquiring new skill sets inside and outside your domain.

Can you talk about your career path?

Although I was keen on Cardiology, I ended up taking Pathology as a speciality and completed my post graduation with great passion. It is one of the toughest subjects but I enjoy it a lot. I chose this career as the cornerstone of medical practice is about providing the right diagnosis to the patient at the earliest. The ultimate aim is to save lives.

Pathology is a specialization that one can do after MBBS. The domain deals with diagnosis of
various diseases and conditions. The subjects under pathology are histopathology,
cytopathology, hematopathology, clinical pathology and autopsy to name a few. Advanced tests
such as flowcytometry, molecular studies, also immunohematology also are part of the
specialized areas of work.

My jobs and internship were standard pathology focused and general medicine. But I guess being an all rounder helped me adapt in various situations. And having extensive knowledge in general, I also am a wellness and nutrition coach today.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

1. Pathology in itself is a tough subject – the only way to master it is through hard work and revision. A smart way of studying is, making notes, seeing practical cases and implementing theoretical knowledge.

2. Adapting to the work environment and people management – This one is the toughest – life teaches many lessons other than your domain subjects. Be patient, learn, unlearn and practice perseverance

3. When ideas crash and you witness failure – Adapt to embrace failures and move with change. I still keep doing it 🙂

Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?

I work at SigTuple technologies.

I support in creating AI based solutions in pathology and also am part of the GTM team for voicing the product

I took up this job at SigTuple as I was seeking to do something different with the skills that I had
acquired over the years as a hemato and clinical pathologist. As advancements in the digital and
AI space were just beginning, I decided to give it a chance where I could use my knowledge and
expertise to help & support in the creation of something unique which could lead to
transformation of health care. It still pertains to my original domain which is Pathology and is
connected with developing tests in Pathology like blood tests on an AI based platform. I have
contributed to the creation of AI based solutions in screening solutions like peripheral blood
smear analysis whch is one of the earliest screening tests for various disorders like anemia,
infections, hematological malignancies like leukemia or blood cancer and malaria to name a
few. I add value by providing the medical knowledge in the creation of these screening
solutions and also in the training by helping doctors to have a smooth transition in adopting and
working on digital platforms. I do not work in a hospital lab anymore where I diagnosed diseases
for patients earlier but am involved in the research of creating AI – based solutions for the same.
It deals with innovation and AI leading to transformation of how we can take health care to a
new level bringing about “Equity driven diagnostic excellence (DxEqEx)

The skills have been acquired over time as explained in the above paragraphs

A typical day is like performing annotations for deep learning algorithms, validations and training end users on the software

What I love about this job is innovation and the impact it has created in expanding the reach of quality health care to underserved areas

How does your work benefit society?

Early screening and monitoring benign & neoplastic hematological disorders, hereditary hemoglobinopathies and infectious diseases in children and adults.

Broadening the horizons for AI based diagnostic laboratory services

Enabling the doctors to provide quality healthcare and quality of life to the Adivasis.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work

Working with Ashwini hospital at Gudalur district, where we had the opportunity to work with AI to screen a million hematological disorders across 50 hamlets in the Nilgiris

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Study smart, be informed, travel and learn, absorb cultures as you grow, be updated, take up a certain sport, be fit, have an open mind, learn to adapt and embrace change. Be focused on your goal. It’s ok to fail. Winning isn’t everything. Be grateful everyday and celebrate the small victories and miracles of life. Keep smiling no matter what !