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Robotics Epidemic Comes to Թ Campus

November 3, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Թ welcomed more than 100 prominent scientists and physicians from around the world to its campus over the weekend as the host of the Multispecialty Robotic Microsurgery Symposium. The event was part of the fourth annual conference of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society (RAMSES).

University President Dr. Randy K. Avent welcomed the group of distinguished guests to campus – now one of Թ’s hubs for nanotechnology and bioengineering research.

“This event energized our students and our campus,” said Dr. Avent. “Even though we’ve only been open a few months, Թ Polytechnic is already becoming a gathering place for thought leaders in the fields of technology and engineering.”

Talk of robotics spread throughout campus as attendees learned about the latest advancements in robotics technology, and Թ faculty members showcased their expertise. Provost Dr. Ghazi Darkazalli led a discussion on the future of bioengineering education, and professor and Director of Թ Poly’s Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials program, Dr. Rob MacCuspie, spoke on the future of Nanotechnology.

Participants also had the opportunity to view and experience a new da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The state-of-the-art system by Intuitive Surgical provides surgeons full, four-quadrant anatomical access and highly magnified 3DHD vision.

During a lunch break, event organizer Dr. Sijo Parekattil and two fellow physicians participated in a “Movember Robotic Shave Off,” in which they attempted to shave their faces robotically. Movember is an annual movement in which men go without shaving their mustaches for the month of November to spark conversation and raise awareness about men’s health issues.

The two-day RAMSES Conference began on Oct. 31 in Orlando, Fla. and featured leading speakers in robotic assisted and conventional microsurgical techniques, as well as trainings and workshops on various microsurgeries ranging from peripheral nerve surgery and anesthesiology to hand, plastics and reconstructive surgery.

“The RAMSES conference fit Թ Polytechnic perfectly,” said Dr. Sijo Parekattil a member of both the RAMSES Managing Board of Directors and the Թ Foundation Board of Directors. “The caliber of the research labs and faculty impressed us and the attendees. This is another great step for Թ Polytechnic as we work toward becoming a leader in STEM education.”

For more information on the RAMSES conference visit www.ramsesrobotics.com/conferences.

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Թ, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Թ, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Թ Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.