SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre hosts “Illuminova ’26”: A futuristic UG research expo advancing healthcare with AI

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre successfully hosted Illuminova ’26, an Undergraduate (UG) MBBS Research Expo, on April 28, 2026, bringing together innovation, academic excellence, and cutting-edge technology under the theme “SRM Futuristic: Advancing Healthcare with AI.”

The event served as a dynamic platform for budding medical professionals to present research, exchange ideas, and explore the rapidly evolving intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence. Illuminova ’26 reflected SRM’s continued commitment to integrating emerging technologies into medical education and clinical practice.

A key highlight of the expo was the showcase of AI-powered healthcare “studios,” designed to offer immersive insights into the future of medical systems. These included the AI-Assisted Rapid Mobile Response Unit, AI-Enabled Outpatient Department (OPD), AI-Integrated Operation Theatre, AI Smart Central Laboratory, and AI-Powered Medical Education Unit.

Each exhibit was thoughtfully developed in collaboration with engineering and other interdisciplinary domains of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, demonstrating real-world applications of AI in diagnostics, patient care, surgical precision, and medical training. The showcases emphasised efficiency, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making in modern healthcare delivery.

Dr. P. Sathyanarayan, Pro Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, remarked, “Illuminova 2026 embodies SRM’s vision of integrating innovation with medical education. By bringing AI into undergraduate research, we are empowering students to shape the future of healthcare with knowledge, creativity, and purpose.”

Reinforcing the institution’s philosophy on impactful research, Dr. Jayanthi, Dean (Medical), SRMMCHRC, stated, “Research isn’t a checkbox of publications or metrics, it thrives when it reaches beyond the lab to touch real lives in our communities.”

The event also featured an extensive UG Research Poster Exhibition, presenting 104 research posters across 18 medical departments. The projects ranged from conceptual studies to ongoing and completed research, highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration and the academic rigour of undergraduate students.

In his special guest address, Dr. Prantar Chakrabarti, Chief Medical Director, Sugah Healthcorp (a Zoho Corporation initiative), Chennai, emphasised, “AI is a double-edged weapon. Do not lose your human characters, your way of looking at a person, your empathy, your communication. And no kind of AI can work in healthcare without a human in the loop, be it a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or emergency medical technician.”

Addressing the students, Prof. Dr. K. Narayanasamy, Vice-Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, highlighted the importance of holistic growth: “The four I’s—Interest, Involvement, Innovative Thinking. These will shape your Identity not just within SRM, but across the globe. Learn beyond your curriculum, and you won’t just grow individually; you’ll elevate the institution itself.”

Through initiatives like Illuminova, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre continues to lead in redefining medical education—blending advanced infrastructure with forward-thinking learning approaches. The expo stands as a testament to the institution’s dedication to preparing future healthcare professionals for a technology-driven world.