The IR Juniors Podcast

Thrombectomy has transformed the management of acute ischaemic stroke, but ensuring access to thislife-saving treatment remains a major challenge. As technology continues to evolve, could AI and robotics help bring thrombectomy to more patients?

In this fascinating discussion we welcome Prof.Iris Grunwald – a pioneer of interventional stroke managementwho brought the first mobile stroke unit to the UK. We discuss her experiences with thrombectomy, cadaveric simulation, AI and her experience being involved in the world’s first remote, transatlantic, cadaveric thrombectomy!

As endovascular techniques have evolved, boundaries betweenspecialties have shifted. The relationship between IR and vascular surgery has become central to delivering safe, high-quality patient care. While there has sometimes been a perception of competition between the two specialties, modelsof close collaboration are being developed that benefit trainees and, most importantly, patients.

In this insightful discussion we welcome not one, but twospecial guests!

Dr Narayanan Thulasidasan (interventional radiology) and MsBecky Sandford (vascular surgery) are based in Guys and St Thomas’s Trust in London, and join us to share their insights into the importance of communication and building a culture of collaboration between the two specialities.

Dr Ato Quansah is a consultant IR from the Komfo AnokyeTeaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Dr Quansah trained in Ghana and gained additional interventional experience internationally in the Netherlands and the UK.

Upon his return to Ghana, he began establishing an interventional radiology service in his hospital from the ground-up. He encountered numerous challenges including equipment shortages, training staff and keeping costs low for patients.

He joins us to share his journey into IR and the creative solutions he utilised to establish and maintain his practice. He also discusses his work with the medical imaging organisation Worldwide Radiology.

Dr Teik Choon See is a consultant IR based in Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge. Dr See has been a consultant IR for nearly two decades and has worked across the hepatobiliary, vascular and interventional oncology space.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr See shares his journey into IR, and how this led him to become interested in histotripsy – a new and exciting non-invasive, radiation-free, and incision-free procedure that uses focused ultrasound waves to destroy tumours.

Most recently, he led the team that delivered the first histotripsy treatment in Europe outside of a clinical trial. We’re very lucky to have him share his insights about this exciting new development in the field of cancer care.

Dr. Yuji Okuno is an Interventional Radiologist based in Tokyo, Japan, and the founder of Okuno Clinics - network of centers dedicated to innovative embolic treatments for chronic pain.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Okuno shares how his deep interest in pathological angiogenesis led to the development of the “Okuno Method,” a novel technique that uses temporary embolic agents to selectively target inflammatory blood vessels. He reflects on his early clinical observations, the translational science that underpins his work, and the decade-long journey to establish a robust evidence base for musculoskeletal embolization.

Dr. Okuno also discusses the significant regulatory, academic, and business challenges he faced while launching and expanding his clinic franchise. His story is one of persistence, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to innovation in patient care.

He offers thoughtful advice to young interventional radiologists looking to push boundaries and create new pathways within the specialty.

This is an inspiring episode for anyone interested in how original ideas, grounded in science and clinical need, can lead to transformative change in healthcare.

Dr. Alex Barnacle is a Consultant Pediatric Interventional Radiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the national clinical lead for the first-ever Get It Right First Time review of IR in England.

She shares her journey from pediatrics into interventional radiology, reflects on the biggest challenges facing the specialty today, and gives an honest look into life at one of the world’s most iconic children’s hospitals.

She also tackles the gender gap in IR and why visibility, mentorship, and allyship matter more than ever.

Dr. Atul Gupta is an Interventional Radiologist from the USA and the Global Chief Medical Officer for Diagnosis and Treatment at Philips who has built an international reputation for his thought leadership on innovating within image-guided therapy.

In this episode of the IR Juniors podcast, Dr. Gupta shares his insights on how to navigate the transition into industry and how technology might be used to tackle global challenges currently faced by the field. We also take a deep dive into the various incredible devices Philips has to integrate next generation technology within Interventional Radiology.

Dr. Elie Balesh, a radiologist from the USA, has built a remarkable career as a dual specialist in interventional radiology (IR) and cardiac imaging. In this episode of the IR Juniors podcast, Dr. Balesh shares his unique journey into the field, offering a comparative perspective on the training pathways in the US and UK, and delving into the existential challenges currently facing the specialty.

With a dynamic portfolio career, Dr. Balesh expertly balances his roles as a full-time radiologist and a medical entrepreneur. He reflects on his experiences founding multiple medical start-ups and the lessons he has learned while navigating the intersection of healthcare and innovation. Whether you're in medicine, business, or another field, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration that we’re excited to share with you.

Dr. Raman Uberoi, a consultant interventional radiologist at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, has been a key figure in shaping the future of interventional radiology (IR). With over two decades of experience, he has driven advancements in vascular and non-vascular interventions, led as Clinical Director of Radiology (2003–2012), and played a pivotal role in developing the European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) curriculum. In this episode, Dr. Uberoi reflects on his journey, from championing minimally invasive treatments to delivering the prestigious Andreas Grüntzig Lecture at CIRSE. He also discusses IR’s evolution into a distinct specialty and his vision for innovation through his non-profit, the Minnova Medical Foundation.

Often called the "godfather of interventional radiology in the UAE," Dr.Jamal Alktoeesh has been one of its longest-serving interventional radiologists. Hosts Dan and Fahad are honoured to have him speak on the podcast about his leadership in transforming the UAE’s IR landscape, pioneering minimally invasive treatments and establishing the UAE’s first radiology residency program to train future specialists​​​​​​. They also speak in depth about his role as Industry Relations lead for PAIRs and his considerations with commercial work.