Kennesaw State University student Preston Brantley is developing an artificial intelligence tool aimed at helping pathologists detect cancer cells more quickly and efficiently, according to a May 4 announcement. Brantley, who is double majoring in mechanical engineering and nursing at the Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College, said he hopes his work will reduce the lengthy wait times patients often face when awaiting a cancer diagnosis.
Brantley’s research matters because faster diagnoses can allow treatment plans to begin sooner and potentially improve patient outcomes. The process of identifying cancer cells is currently slow and vulnerable to human error, as pathologists must examine thousands of cells by hand.
“I’ve always wanted to use engineering to create solutions for healthcare,” Brantley said. “Nursing helps me understand what patients need, while engineering allows me to build tools that can actually make a difference.”
Working with Razvan (Chris) Voicu, assistant professor of robotics and mechatronics engineering at the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Brantley is training an AI model that analyzes microscope images for patterns associated with breast cancer cells. The system learns from hundreds of images how to distinguish between healthy and potentially cancerous cells based on traits such as irregular shape or clustering.
“This research is important not only because it can help with earlier cancer detection, but it can also help reduce some of the growing burden on pathology workflows,” Voicu explained. “The goal is not to replace the pathologist, but to provide better support… That can help improve efficiency, support more consistent review, and hopefully contribute to earlier findings and better patient care.”
Brantley envisions the technology as a cloud-based system accessible by clinics or hospitals through a computer with internet access. Providers could upload images for rapid analysis. “I would love to see someone get a possible diagnosis in 72 hours instead of four weeks. That time difference can be critical…” he said.
The team has developed a prototype now being tested; early results are promising. They plan further improvements in accuracy before expanding its application beyond breast cancer detection.
Brantley also sees potential benefits for rural or underserved communities where specialist access may be limited: “If we can make this technology more accessible, it can help bridge that gap.” He has presented his work at several conferences including the National Conference of Undergraduate Research.
“A lot of people worry that AI will replace doctors… It’s really about using AI as a tool… At the end of the day, it’s about helping people,” Brantley said.