Innovation as the Best Medicine
Rewriting the Script: Innovation as the best medicine
Rewriting the Script
April 19th 2026
In the past, we taught through repetition, diagnosed through experience, and operated only with our hands. Today, we have techniques and treatments that would have been impossible only a few years ago. The truth is that advances in science and biomedicine redefine the ‘impossible’ every day. Will medical training become continuous and immersive? Will artificial intelligence anticipate patterns without replacing clinical judgement? Will surgeons be able to operate with such robotic precision that they neither touch the patient nor need to enter the operating theatre?
In the module Rewriting the Script: Innovation as the Best Medicine, we will explore next-generation medical education, clinical artificial intelligence, and robotic surgery, led by those who are shaping the future of biomedicine in this vast field.
Speaker
Samuel Webster, PhD
Dr. Sam Webster is a lecturer at the Swansea University Medical School in South Wales (UK), and teaches anatomy and embryology to graduate entry medicine students, physician associate students, applied medical science students, and medical neuroscience students. His teaching approach seamlessly integrates traditional face-to-face instruction with the creation of a wide array of e-learning resources, such as videos, podcasts, and textbooks, to enhance the learning experience for his students.
Notably, he co-authored the textbook Essential Human Development and has contributed to the development of educational materials that bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and accessible learning.Dr. Webster’s research interests encompass human anatomy, stem cell biology, and developmental biology. He has co-authored several publications that delve into these areas, contributing to the scientific community’s understanding of human development and cellular processes. His work not only advances academic knowledge but also informs his teaching, ensuring that students receive education grounded in current scientific research.
Speaker
Merel Huisman, PhD
Merel Huisman, MD, PhD, is a Dutch radiologist and researcher dedicated to advancing the clinical adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Her work focuses on key areas that support the transition of AI tools from research environments into real-world clinical practice, including the standardization of methodologies, rigorous evaluation of AI systems, and the practical implementation of solutions in everyday clinical workflows. In particular, she investigates non-interpretive applications of AI in radiology, contributing to more efficient, reliable, and evidence-based processes within the medical imaging domain.
Her approach combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of clinical needs, allowing her to work effectively at the intersection of technology and patient care. Beyond her research activities, Merel contributes to the development of guidelines and educational resources that help healthcare professionals understand and adopt AI tools in an ethical and effective manner. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also informs the evolution of clinical practice, supporting safer, more responsible, and more impactful integration of AI into healthcare.
Speaker
Pietro Valdastri, PhD
Professor Pietro Valdastri is Chair in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of Leeds, where he directs the STORM Lab and leads research within the Institute of Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Sensing. Trained as a mechanical engineer with international research experience across Europe and the United States, he has built a renowned career in medical robotics. His work centers on soft magnetic surgical robots (SMSRs)—flexible, magnetically controlled systems capable of navigating complex anatomical pathways with minimal human input—designed to provide patient-specific, minimally invasive access to hard-to-reach regions of the body.
With an extensive publication record and leadership of major international research programmes, including projects funded by NSF, NIH and the European Research Council, Professor Valdastri has been instrumental in translating robotic innovation toward clinical practice. His vision is to make customizable, magnetically guided robotic platforms affordable and widely accessible, offering life-saving options to patients who currently have no viable alternatives.