Students at Cornell University, as part of the Top Gun Surgical program and under the mentorship of Associate Teaching Professor Suelia De Siqueira Rodrigues Fleury Rosa, are developing surgical training tools designed to make learning more engaging, competitive, and effective. Rather than relying on traditional training methods, their approach introduces a training environment that is interactive and motivating, similar to the structure of a video game.
Top Gun Surgical, named in reference to the elite training model of the United States Navy’s Top Gun program, and founded by Dr. James “Butch” Rosser, is built around increasing interest in STEM and surgical careers by introducing laparoscopic surgical skills at an earlier stage. The program works with students spanning from high school through residency, allowing them to begin developing technical skills well before formal medical training.
Research from the program has shown that the Top Gun approach not only promotes interest in STEM fields but also improves student performance and academic outcomes. By combining early exposure, hands-on practice, and a competitive training model, the initiative is redefining how surgical education can be introduced and developed.
