Pedram Afshar , MD, PhD

Fellow
Technology

Minneapolis, MN

2009-10 Littlefield Fellow
Pedram graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennyslvania, majoring in bioengineering. He then completed extensive combined degree post-graduate training, earning a PhD in robotics and biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MD from the University of Pittsburgh. His thesis work focused on predicting human neural strategies to control the musculoskeletal system. He applied his work to control a robotic prosthetic index finger. During graduate school, he worked at a small startup to develop a device for non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring.

During the Fellowship, Pedram worked with his team to develop some innovative solutions to diseases of the vascular system. With their top solution, his team won non-dilutive money from the NCIIA as well as an elevator pitch competition. The project is ongoing with pending applications to other funding sources and further technology development.

Currently, Pedram is working in the Neuromodulation Division of Medtronic in Minneapolis, where he implements a needs based approach to new technology development.

Pedram's career interests lie at the intersection of medicine and engineering and include medical devices and healthcare information technology. He is particularly interested in developing cost-effective solutions to improve healthcare affordability and accessibility.

When he's not working to innovate medical technology, Pedram enjoys cooking, traveling, and the outdoors.