Partner Highlight: CASIT
Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology
Innovation and Mentorship
At CASIT, we are proud of the strong culture of innovation and mentorship that has grown within our research program. We lead multidisciplinary collaborations that bring together surgeons, engineers, data scientists, and industry partners to advance AI-driven technologies, robotics, and imageguided interventions.
Digital Health Leadership
CASIT plays a key role in the NSF-funded Center to Stream HealthCare in Place (C2SHIP), developing hospital-grade digital technology for in-home care in partnership with over two dozen academic and industry centers.
Industry Partnerships
CASIT actively develops partnerships with major medical device, robotics, and technology companies. We have hosted several industry-focused workshops to advance robotic surgery, image-guided surgery, AI, and smart ORs.
10
20+
5
Bijan Najafi, PhD
- Research Director, CASIT
- Professor of Surgery
"Together, these accomplishments highlight the impact of our collaborative work and reinforce our commitment to advancing patient care." - Bijan Najafi, PhD
Educational Impact by the Numbers
CASIT-AEI Learners from 2024 - 2025
3313
Surgeons in practice
2927
Medical students
0
Patients and families
8319
Surgical residents
82
Health profession students
1272
Others
388
Physicians from other fields
478
Nurses
156
Residents and fellows (other)
340
Allied health professionals
Activity Highlights from 2024 - 2025
1,800+
Instructional hours
500
Courses conducted
17,271
Total learners
Educational Outreach and Industry
Building the pipeline for future innovators: Cultivating Future Surgeons
Our educational outreach is a cornerstone of our mission. CASIT is dedicated to inspiring the next generation through hands-on exposure to medical technology.
Summer Immersion Program
In partnership with the UCLA Volunteers Office, we host a week-long program introducing high school students to surgical careers through simulation and OR exposure.
Scalpels and Scopes
A focused program for teens to learn basic surgical techniques, teamwork, and the role of technology in modern surgery.
"These programs help cultivate a diverse future pipeline of surgeons, engineers, and healthcare innovators."