Dr Kovoor, who joined Grampians Health in 2024, will undertake a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Hung Lab in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, later this year. His research will focus on the intersection of robotic surgery and artificial intelligence, and how it can be used to positively impact surgical care. 

“The empowering culture of the surgical service of Grampians Health, which supports innovation like robotic surgery, motivated me to apply,” said Dr Kovoor.  

“My mentors, including Dr Mathew Jacob, Dr Michael Condous, Dr David Low, and Dr Dongrong Situ were inspirational. My research collaborators, including Dr Gavin Carmichael and Dr Alexander Beath, were always supportive.” 

A graduate of the University of Adelaide’s medical program in 2021, Dr Kovoor has already made significant contributions to the field of AI in medicine. During his PhD, he developed an artificial intelligence-backed system called Adelaide Score, which supports clinical decision-making. 

Currently serving as a General Surgery Principal House Officer at Gold Coast University Hospital, Dr Kovoor’s Fulbright fellowship will allow him to be part of path breaking research in robotic surgery and AI, furthering his mission to enhance surgical outcomes and improve patient care. 

“We are incredibly proud of Dr Kovoor’s recognition as a Fulbright Future Scholar,” said Matthew Hadfield, Chief Medical Officer at Grampians Health. “His work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and excellence that Grampians Health strives to foster. Our commitment to education and research is central to delivering world-class healthcare, and we are thrilled to see our former team members making a global impact. 

“Dr Kovoor’s journey reflects the growing importance of interdisciplinary research in shaping the future of medicine. We hope his work contributes to the evolution of surgical practice, both in Australia and internationally.”