Rishab Kapoor

My path to healthcare innovation started at Newcastle University 

Rishab was awarded the prestigious Overseas Research Scholarship and chose to study at Newcastle University for its globally-recognised expertise in immunology, translational medicine and AI-driven research. He told us:

"Newcastle was more than just an academic institution—it was an intellectual crucible that refined my ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and navigate interdisciplinary challenges. The university’s emphasis on research and evidence-based decision-making continues to guide my career." 

The pandemic highlighted the potential of AI

One of the first big challenges of Rishab’s career came when India was placed in lockdown in March 2020. But he stepped up, and was responsible for the development of India’s first COVID-19 testing lab at Delhi IGI Airport, playing a pivotal role in optimising the diagnostic infrastructure. Under his leadership, the lab achieved an RT-PCR turnaround time of just four to six hours—one of the fastest globally—processing over 7,000 samples per day. By integrating AI-powered Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and automated workflows, his team streamlined sample processing, result validation, and data integration, improving efficiency and accuracy. 

"AI was instrumental in optimising workflows, reducing manual intervention, and ensuring high-precision diagnostics. The pandemic highlighted the potential of AI in accelerating diagnostic capabilities—a model that can be replicated across other diseases," Rishab said. 

Throughout the pandemic, Rishab also collaborated with government healthcare bodies and leading medical institutes, such as the National Institute of Virology (NIV), to conduct disease surveillance and variant sequencing, reinforcing how AI could be used in public health strategy and outbreak management. 

Harnessing AI to find cancer earlier

Today, Rishab serves as a Diagnostic Consultant for Ace Pharmaceuticals in Zambia and is leading healthcare initiatives in Zambia and across Africa. Rishab is driving AI-powered diagnostics for oncology, pathology and infectious diseases. His work focuses on introducing AI-integrated medical imaging to improve early detection and treatment, particularly in female healthcare and cancer screening. 

One of his current projects involves portable radiation-free AI-powered breast cancer screening, and remote clinics providing AI-integrated colposcopies for cervical cancer detection and treatment, all in just 40 minutes! This project is making high-precision diagnostics both accessible and affordable. Rishab’s team are also developing AI-assisted X-ray image analysis for tuberculosis detection and AI-powered ultrasound imaging to bring real-time diagnostics to remote settings. 

As well as harnessing new technologies in his own work, Rishab prioritises upskilling the healthcare industry for the future. Collaborating with ministries of health, hospitals and global partners, he ensures that radiographers, pathologists, and frontline healthcare workers receive specialised training to integrate AI into clinical practice. 

"AI is not just a tool—it’s a force multiplier for healthcare equity,” he said. “By combining AI-driven diagnostics with local capacity-building efforts, we’re ensuring that high-quality, affordable healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of geography or economic status."

The challenge ahead

While the potential that using AI has in healthcare is revolutionary, the implementation of such technology presents many challenges, particularly in developing regions. Rishab told us:

"Many regions lack the necessary digital infrastructure—such as reliable power supply, internet connectivity, and cloud storage—making AI deployment difficult. Additionally, data quality and standardisation remain significant hurdles, as healthcare records in many countries are fragmented, inconsistent or paper-based, limiting AI-driven analysis." 

Other challenges include underdeveloped regulatory frameworks for AI in healthcare - raising concerns about patient safety, data privacy and algorithmic bias - and the high costs of AI-powered devices and cloud-based systems create barriers to adoption. 

Despite these hurdles, AI offers transformative opportunities to bridge critical healthcare gaps. AI-powered diagnostics expand access to early disease detection and disease surveillance, allowing governments to respond to health crises more efficiently. Rishab commented:

"AI provides cost-effective, scalable solutions that reduce reliance on expensive equipment and specialists. To maximise AI’s impact in developing regions, a multi-faceted approach is essential—public-private partnerships, government policies supporting AI integration, training programmes for healthcare workers, and infrastructure investments to enhance digital accessibility." 

Technology should serve people – not the other way round

For those looking to make an impact in healthcare innovation, Rishab emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary expertise and adaptability:

"AI and healthcare are evolving rapidly, and the key to success is staying ahead of the curve. Take every opportunity to gain practical experience—whether through research, internships, or industry projects. Build a strong foundation in both technology and healthcare, as the future of medicine lies at the intersection of these fields. And most importantly, always focus on impact—technology should serve people, not the other way around." 

Looking ahead, Rishab hopes to establish ‘one-stop’ digital solutions that integrate diagnostics, capacity-building and medical delivery to improve accessibility and efficiency. One key initiative involves designing a data surveillance system using a hub-and-spoke model, enabling real-time disease monitoring, early detection and better response strategies, particularly in resource-limited regions. Additionally, he is developing structured AI training programmes to enhance awareness of AI in healthcare analytics and equip professionals with skills in data analysis, predictive modelling and AI-driven decision making. He ended by saying:

"Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. AI has the potential to democratise diagnostics, ensuring that quality healthcare reaches the most vulnerable populations.” 

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