Zahra Khashei Varnamkhasti
University of California, Riverside, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Papers
3
Total Citations
44
H-Index
3
About
Zahra Khashei Varnamkhasti is a biomedical engineer and robotics researcher whose work centers on the design and development of advanced surgical needle systems for minimally invasive medical procedures. Her research sits at the intersection of medical robotics, needle steering mechanics, and image-guided intervention, with a particular focus on improving the precision and safety of tissue biopsy techniques. Among her most significant contributions is the development of a telescopic steerable robotic needle, published in 2021 and accumulating 23 citations, which represents a meaningful advancement over traditional biopsy instruments by enabling greater maneuverability within tissue. Her earlier work on a 3D steerable biopsy needle integrated with motorized manipulation and ultrasound tracking — cited 11 times — demonstrated her commitment to combining robotic actuation with real-time imaging for clinical applicability. Her 2019 study on a novel minimally invasive active surgical needle, with 10 citations, further established her as a consistent innovator in percutaneous needle-based procedures used in brachytherapy, thermal ablation, and biopsy. Collectively, her research addresses a critical clinical need: enabling more accurate needle placement to improve diagnostic outcomes and patient safety in procedures that millions of patients undergo annually.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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