Papers
3
Total Citations
74
H-Index
3
About
Gwen A. Lagoda is a pioneering researcher in biomedical optics and surgical neuroscience, whose work focuses on preserving erectile function during prostate cancer surgery. Her key research areas include optical nerve stimulation, intraoperative imaging, and tissue characterization. Lagoda’s major contributions center on developing optical techniques to identify and map the cavernous nerves—microscopic structures on the prostate surface critical for erectile function—which are often damaged during radical prostatectomy. Her landmark 2007 study, cited 38 times, demonstrated the first *in vivo* identification and imaging of these nerves using optical coherence tomography and laser stimulation, offering a non-invasive alternative to electrical mapping. She further optimized this approach in a 2008 paper (28 citations), refining wavelength and pulse parameters for effective nerve preservation. Lagoda also advanced ultrasound elastography (2009, 8 citations) to provide tactile feedback in laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, addressing the critical lack of intraoperative tumor localization. Her work has directly informed the development of nerve-sparing surgical techniques, reducing post-operative sexual dysfunction. With a career dedicated to translating optical technologies into clinical practice, Lagoda remains a key figure in improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
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