Clara
Faculty Advisor: David Ogle
Team Members: Todd Cresswell, Marlon Williams, Joseph Milliken, Abigail Easterly
CLARA is an AI-assisted pathology support system designed to help detect colorectal cancer earlier, especially in younger adults where cases have been increasing. As colorectal cancer becomes a leading cause of cancer-related death in people under 50, early and accurate diagnosis is more important than ever. At the same time, pathologists often manage heavy workloads, and subtle abnormalities in gastrointestinal polyp slides can be difficult to catch during an initial review. CLARA helps address this challenge by acting as a reliable second set of eyes. Using machine learning–based image analysis, it carefully reviews biopsy slide images and highlights areas that may need closer attention. This added support strengthens the pathologist’s assessment and builds confidence earlier in the diagnostic process, reducing the chances of missed findings. Importantly, CLARA is not meant to replace human expertise. The pathologist remains fully in control of all final decisions. Instead, the system works alongside clinicians, enhancing their capabilities within a secure and efficient workflow. By reducing the need for repeat reviews and helping prioritize critical cases, CLARA can streamline the diagnostic process. Overall, CLARA has the potential to shorten the time to treatment, lower healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes, especially during the early, most treatable stages of colorectal cancer.