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Dr. Rolando Fausto Del Maestro

Academic title(s): 
  • William Feindel Professor Emeritus in Neuro-Oncology at ƬƵ University 
  • Director of the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre 
Dr. Rolando Fausto Del Maestro
Contact Information
Email address: 
rolando.delmaestro [at] mcgill.ca
Division: 
Surgical and Interventional Sciences
Degree(s): 

MD, PhD, FRCS(C), FACS, DBNS, DABPNS 

Graduate supervision: 

Currently supervising students

Group: 
Currently Recruiting
M.Sc. Students
M.Sc. Non-Thesis projects
Ph.D. Students
Research areas: 
Surgical Outcomes and Quality
Surgical Education and Simulation
Translation and Innovation
Medical Technology
Areas of expertise: 

Intelligent Tutors powered by AI, Virtual Reality simulators, Neurosurgical Simulation 

Current research: 

Dr. Del Maestro’s research focuses creating and testing comprehensive virtual reality platforms for surgical bimanual technical skills assessment and training utilizing AI powered intelligent tutoring systems such as the Virtual Operative Assistant (VOA) and Intelligent Continuous Expertise Monitoring System (ICEMS). Two randomized clinical trials, the first comparing the VOA and off-site learning of surgical simulation, and the second the utility of personalized verbal deep learning network learner feedback and error detection using the ICEMS platform compared to in person expert instructors. Both demonstrated the efficacy of these intelligent tutoring platforms compared to expert instructors. Investigations are also focused on evaluating how AI in surgical curriculum design can result in unintended outcomes for technical competencies in simulation training A third randomized controlled trial determined the optimum automated simulated surgical skills learning feedback modality to improve learner performance. Present research is focused on integrating ex vivo calf brain resection simulations as hybrid models to assess learner intraoperative skills to develop the human intelligent operating room powered by AI. These studies have the potential to implement advanced AI technology in operative room training, by developing ICEMS-OR technology which can be utilized in any human operative room focused on intraoperative learner assessment, training, and alerting trainees to avoid possible surgical errors. 

Biography: 

Dr. Del Maestro is the William Feindel Professor Emeritus in Neuro-Oncology and Director of the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence and Learning Centre at ƬƵ His research is focused on surgical virtual reality simulation, developing intelligent tutors powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and evaluating model AI curriculum to improve surgical learner education. 

Selected publications: 

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