Marina B's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Prostate Cancer Detection: Imaging to Impact BASIS Advisor: Charity Taylor Antal Internship Location: Mayo Clinic Onsite Mentor: Nelly Tan

Project Abstract

With cancer-related deaths in the U.S. expected to top 600,000 in 2024, my focus is on finding ways to leverage medical research and data science to reduce mortality rates, specifically in the field of prostate cancer. I want to understand how tools like machine learning and AI can assist in better analyzing cancer data, improving diagnostic accuracy, and helping doctors make more informed decisions—all while considering the ethical implications of using such technologies in healthcare. I’ll be working under Dr. Nelly Tan at Mayo Clinic, a place known for its pioneering work in both patientcare and medical research, which makes it the perfect environment for this kind of study. Mayo Clinic’s focus on both cutting-edge technology and patient-centered care will allow me to dive deep into the practical applications of AI in healthcare while learning how it impacts real-world clinical settings. I will specifically be researching two different topics: the PPV (positive predictive value) of clinically significant prostate cancer in men who have had previous benign biopsies as compared to men who are biopsy naive and the accuracy of the PI-RADS version 2.1 scoring system for the severity of prostate cancer. Through this project, I’m hoping to learn how we can use technology to improve prostate cancer outcomes and treatment options, all while keeping patient needs front and center.