June 2026 – Dr. Brahim Mehadji Receives STAIR HEALTH Proof-of-Concept Grant for PET-Guided Cancer Surgery

Dr. Brahim Mehadji received a UC Davis STAIR HEALTH Proof-of-Concept Grant in support of his project, Precision PET Probe: Revolutionizing Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery. 

Dr. Mehadji's work aims to develop a compact PET probe designed to guide surgeons during minimally invasive cancer removal procedures. Currently, one of the key challenges in cancer surgery is confirming in real time that all tumor tissue has been removed. Dr. Mehadji's probe would bring PET radiotracer imaging directly into the operating room, giving surgeons a precise, live view of tumor boundaries during the procedure itself. A major hurdle this project addresses is the current lack of laparoscopic devices capable of detecting PET tracers, making this a genuinely novel contribution to the field.

The one-year grant will fund prototype development and early validation studies, helping move this technology closer to clinical use. Dr. Mehadji was one of only three recipients selected across UC Davis this cycle. 

The STAIR HEALTH program invests in translational research with clear potential to improve patient care and accelerate the path from laboratory discovery to real-world clinical impact.

Congratulations, Brahim, on this exciting recognition!