Tara Menon
My work focuses on equitable, systems-based approaches to health, grounded in both innovation and inclusion. I've led research on cancer disparities in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region, examining how caste, ethnicity, and healthcare infrastructure influence access to care. I'm also involved in neuromodulation research using low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) for chronic pain in the Legon Lab, where we study noninvasive ways to improve patient outcomes beyond traditional pharmacologic treatment. In addition, I've contributed to several clinical studies in surgical oncology, including projects on robotic hepato-pancreato-biliary procedures. I hope to continue researching cancer care and disparities in Southwest Virginia and other rural regions through a systems and community-based lens.