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Home of bright IDEAs

Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D. and Shane Farritor, Ph.D.

Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., UNMC’s minimally invasive surgical expert, and his engineer collaborator, Shane Farritor, Ph.D., were each presented the Innovation, Development and Engagement Award (IDEA) from the University of Nebraska in April.

The IDEA award is one of four prestigious university-wide awards that recognize faculty for teaching, research and engagement and whose work has had a significant impact on students, the university and the state, said former University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken.

The IDEA award specifically recognizes faculty members who have extended their academic expertise beyond the boundaries of the university in ways that have enriched the broader community.

Dr. Oleynikov, the Joseph and Richard Still Endowed Professor of Surgery in the department of surgery, and Dr. Farritor, professor of mechanical engineering with ties to NASA, lead a team that combines the experience of surgical practice with the exceptional problem-solving skills of the engineering profession.

Their home base is the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology (CAST), which was created by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 2005. Since its inception, the center has evolved as a significant contributor to the national effort in advancing surgical technology.

CAST has assembled a critical mass of NU researchers to build a nationally prominent biomedical research center for surgical technology in Nebraska.

Dr. Oleynikov is director of CAST and of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery. Widely published, he is one of UNMC’s most internationally recognized scientists.

Dr. Farritor leads UNL’s Robotics and Mechatronics Lab, a research and education program focused on the innovative application of robotics technology. His team of UNL engineers devised a method of measuring railroad track integrity to identify weak spots that might compromise railway safety. To date, more than 250,000 miles of railroad track have been tested. Not only have these innovations attracted significant research funding and national attention, they also have far-reaching applications and tangible public benefits.

Working with Dr. Oleynikov, he helped create miniature surgical robots that can be inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen, perform minimally invasive surgery and is remotely controlled. The devices significantly reduce the patient’s pain and recovery time. Their collaboration resulted in a new spinoff company, Virtual Incision Corp.

Since 2002, when they first met, the Oleynikov and Farritor partnership has resulted in multiple patents and technology commercialization and is widely recognized as a model for cross-campus collaboration. Their partnership is so strong that neither would allow their name to be nominated for this award without the other.

Watch a video about Drs. Oleynikov and Farritor and their work.