Dr. Vishal Rao is one of the most notable cancer surgeons in Bangalore. He has over 18 patents filed for medical innovations; and is the inventor of Aum Voice Prosthesis, a 1$ speaking device that helps throat cancer patients regain their voice. Aum is considered among the top 100 social innovations across the globe, recognized by the BBC, Harvard Business Review and Forbes. A TEDx speaker, Dr Rao is the recipient of several awards: Honorary FRCS by the Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow; Judy Wilkenfeld Award (2017); Varshada Kannadiga Award 2018; and Rotary Vocational Training Award (2016).Presently the editor of journal of precision oncology, Dr Rao has more than 100 national and international publications to his credit, and is a reviewer for 10 international journals. He is a visiting faculty for the leadership programs in John Hopkins University.Closely connected to various organisations, he is the Principal Scientific Advisor to Covid Consultative Group, Govt of India; an international advisor to WHO Tobacco Free Initiatives; and a member of High Powered committee on tobacco and cancer control, Govt of Karnataka, among others.