OSU veterinarian appointed to Focused Ultrasound Scientific Advisory Board

Friday, July 12, 2019

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation recently appointed Ashish Ranjan, PhD, BVSc, Kerr Foundation Endowed Chair and associate professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, to their Veterinary Program Scientific Advisory Board.

The main purpose of the Scientific Advisory Board is to provide advice regarding the direction and scope of the veterinary program. Specific goals include identifying the greatest clinical needs in the veterinary realm, defining functional specifications for a focused ultrasound device, developing a better understanding of the likely client base, and outlining a business model.

Dr. Ranjan leads the veterinary center’s focused ultrasound research and clinical studies. He and his colleagues have been conducting clinical trials using high intensity focused ultrasound to treat various types of cancers in dogs and cats.

“Pets are exposed to the same environmental stimuli as humans and develop many of the same diseases,” explained Ranjan. “Focused ultrasound offers several advantages over traditional treatments like surgery and radiation. It is non-invasive, which reduces the risk of infection and eliminates the need for stitches. Focused ultrasound can also be used to enhance delivery of therapeutic drugs. We are currently investigating the therapeutic benefits of this technology against head and neck cancers, and skin tumors. Our experiences in treating veterinary patients can come in handy for the board to prioritize specific indications against which this technology can be quickly translated for clinical use.”

For more information on Dr. Ranjan’s work, visit Nanomedicine and Targeted Therapy Laboratory.

MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu