Editor’s Note: Movers and shakers are people who make things happen, influencers whose energy creates positive change. They’re always busy and often pioneers in their respective fields. In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine , we highlight an individual, couple or group of people who we feel fits this definition. If you would like to nominate a mover and shaker to be celebrated in the pages of the magazine, email pmotte@hylogroup.com

Debasish “Ron” Nag

A Richardson Visionary on a Mission to Change the Face of Healthcare Through Innovation

By Patti Otte

  Nag at UTD’s Venture Development Center

Ron Nag’s official title on LinkedIn — Senior Executive & Entrepreneur, specializing in Engineering, Technology, Healthcare and Business Development — provides a glimpse into his business acumen and versatility. But knowing that Nag’s favorite engineer is Leonardo DaVinci and that his greatest joy comes from parenting his three boys offers a more complete picture of this dynamic Richardson leader. The son of two teachers, Debasish “Ron” Nag grew up in the Midwest, spending many of his early years in the Detroit area. He possessed an inquisitive mind at an early age and developed an interest in pursuing technology and engineering in college. Nag describes himself as a “passionate, results-driven problem solver” and he has spent his career doing just that…finding solutions to complex issues.

Nag holds a BSEE in Control Systems Engineering and an MBA in marketing and operations. When asked why he decided to study both engineering and business, Nag replies, “I had a technical methodology for solving a problem, but I needed to understand business methodology as well. In business, the math functions of add, subtract, multiply and divide are powerful tools for problem-solving compared to the complex math engineers use. I consider myself a ‘recovering engineer’ in that I can now convey a complex idea in a simple manner thanks to basic math and the ability to convey a story or idea. Engineering and business are complementary skills sets.” Like DaVinci, Nag seeks to balance the artistic and the technical, stating, “There is an art to solving a problem. True artistry exists in equations, which is how science describes nature. And the ‘art’ of engineering is math – and a dollop of creativity.” Innovation has always been at the forefront of Nag’s professional interests. He pursued a technical/ executive career in robotics, telecom and semiconductors before becoming a healthcare executive. Believing that limitations in healthcare pose a tremendous challenge/problem to be solved, Nag decided to dedicate his time and energy to that field.

Four years ago, Nag became an Entrepreneur in Residence for the UT system (UT Dallas and UT Southwestern). While there, he developed an interest in a key cancer detection technology – Artificial Intelligence (AI) for medical imaging. He saw the potential for combining the medical expertise of physicians and scientists with an engineer’s capacity for problem-solving. Acting upon that vision, Nag established MedCognetics, a business venture founded on a symbiotic relationship between UT Dallas (who had the technology) and UT Southwestern (who had the clinical and medical expertise).

MedCognetics’ AI engine which is revolutionizing breast cancer detection

Under Nag’s leadership, MedCognetics has received FDA clearance for its first product, which utilizes proprietary algorithms and software developed by the company to guide its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze mammograms and detect/identify breast cancer at its very earliest stages. When asked why breast cancer was the chosen disease for this new technology, Nag replies, “It’s everybody’s issue…your mom, your sister, your daughter, your niece, your piano teacher…someone you care for may be faced with it.”

MedCognetics’ AI is not ChatGPT-type technology. The company builds its own algorithms by first securing mammograms through global cooperation, a necessary step since women of different races develop cancer in unique ways and reading scans from a variety of ethnicities allows MedCognetics to deliver unbiased AI screening capabilities. Once the mammograms are gathered, radiologists then read the images. The team at MedCognetics turns the radiologists’ findings into computer code which “teaches” the AI engine. In essence, the physicians are training the computers to look for cancer at an even higher degree of certainty than the human eye.

In 2023, Nag and his team at MedCognetics received the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Economic Development, Growth and Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Award for Innovation. In partnership with the City of Richardson, and the Richardson and Richardson East Rotary Clubs, this awards program recognizes outstanding and cutting-edge Richardson businesses, initiatives and people that create economic impact and sustain community involvement

Nag was a member of Leadership Richardson 32’s Business & Economic Development Committee. He views MedCognetics as the culmination of what he learned during LR32. States Nag, “I now have the privilege and honor of delivering a cutting-edge business that originated from Richardson, [grew] with Richardson employees, and is still located here in Richardson. Our goal is to start the next chapter of innovation in our city, one which has a deep technological heritage.”

Nag is not content to rest on his current laurels. When asked about his “medical bucket list,” he mentions hoping to develop technology that can predict a patient’s propensity to have cancer (any type) with a single body scan. The company’s motto is to “See the Unseen” and MedCognetics hopes to create a “face detection” for cancer. They are starting with breast cancer but plan to move to lung and then prostate cancer in the future.

Nag and eldest son Dhilan at UT game

Nag and his twins at Diwali

When he is not busy innovating, Nag is a very family-oriented single parent of three teenage boys. Dhilan, his oldest, is a freshman Eagle Scout at UT participating in their honors engineering program. Kamran and Aren, twins, are juniors in high school. Kamran is in the process of earning his Eagle rank with Troop 198 in Richardson. Aren plays cello and is also a jazz pianist. All of Nag’s boys are interested in technology, music and community service.

Nag is a self-proclaimed Scout dad. He is actively involved in Richardson’s Troop 198 and currently mentors Eagle Scout candidates. He has closets filled with camping gear and devotes significant time to Scouts BSA. He likes performing local community service but in an organization with the propensity to make a difference on a much larger scale. And given that Nag determines whether or not to put in bandwidth for a charitable initiative by determining whether outcomes can be generational, Scouting fits the criteria perfectly. And Nag believes that Scouting is akin to an extended leadership workshop.

And while he doesn’t have much free time, the father of three enjoys travelling, watersports, and fine dining. His travel bucket list includes places such as Antarctica, Southeast Asia/Pacific Islands, New Zealand and the moon! First, he has to stop working so hard. In 2024, he is hoping to close out some projects with MedCognetics to garner some free time to spend with his family.

Nag loves living and working in Richardson. He states, “Richardson allows me to work, raise my family, and relax without any commute -it’s a onestop shop for me. Good infrastructure, fiscal management, and outstanding parks/recreation.” And in the future, Nag would like to see Richardson become home to a tier one facility for children’s health, emergency and acute care. Ron experienced the need of this service when he had to tend to a son’s broken arms and had to go outside of Richardson to address this issue.

When asked what he hopes people will remember about him, Nag replies, “I hope I will be known for being funny, engaged and always offering cheerful service.” And in true Scouter fashion, he jokingly states that he wants his epitaph to read: “He left no trace.” Or “This side up.” Ron won’t get his wish about leaving no trace as the impact he has made in both the Richardson community and the world at large will be felt for years to come.

Nag spending free time surfing