Prokar Dasgupta

Prokar Dasgupta is internationally reputed as a clinician-scientist, educator, polymath and formerly editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI).

He pioneered robotic surgery in urology in the UK, and with the help of The Urology Foundation, trained and mentored several consultant surgeons and over 30 fellows both nationally and internationally. He was the first to develop image guided and 3D printed prostatectomies, indentation probes for precise localisation of tumours and is ambassador for the KCL-Ericsson 5G global health program in telemedicine. He was chief investigator for the world's first randomised controlled trial of telerobotics and the only trial comparing open, laparoscopic and robotic cystectomy.

Twenty-five years ago, while at Queen Square, Prokar described the role of C-fibres in overactive bladders (OAB) and then developed the technique of injecting botulinum toxin-A under local anaesthesia. The "dasgupta technique" and the first international trials of the toxin led to its licensing for OAB and influenced National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines. In recognition of his achievements he received the Golden Telescope in 2006 and was appointed professor of robotic surgery and urological innovation, King's College London, and chairman of the King's-Vattikuti Institute of Robotic Surgery.

He has made major contributions to the study of mucosal cell biology, focusing on receptor function in the bladder and targeted immunotherapy in prostate cancer. Chair of the prostate cancer research centre at KCL, he currently leads a large research team of basic scientists, engineers and clinician-scientists and has generated grant income of over £40 million from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, EPSRC, EU, the Guy's and St Thomas' Charity and The Urology Foundation. 

He is acknowledged as a leading educationalist, starting a successful BSc in surgical science at KCL and looking for the evidence underpinning simulation in operative surgery, human factors and patient safety. He developed the world's first laparoscopic nephrectomy simulator, led the EU-MARS project of the development and validation of robotic surgical training and the only international randomised trial of simulation for patient benefit – the SIMULATE study.

Prokar was elected the youngest ever Hunterian President and served on the Associated Parliamentary Committee for Surgical Services in the House of Lords. He is also known for his services to Charity, serving as a trustee to the Prostate Cancer Research Centre and the Malcolm Coptcoat Trust. He is a mentor and advisor to the National Clinical Entrepreneurship Program. He has supported the careers of 15 UK and international academics, eight to chairs. He has established multi-million collaborations with universities in Europe, India, the far east and southern China. He is a clinical director within the ambitious MedTech Hub at St Thomas' Hospital with a budget of £110 million.

Prokar has supported the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) in its core mission of education and research to enhance patient care. He has served on BAUS Council, Trustees, Regional Specialist Professional Advisor, Specialist Advisory Committee, Joint Committee for Surgical Training and examiner to the Intercollegiate Board. Nationally he is a member of the NICE Guidelines Panel and internationally he is a Founding member of the European Association of Urology Robotics Section (ERUS). He is the recipient of the St Peter's Medal in 2020, the highest honour from BAUS.

During the COVID-19 crisis he published a blog from Italy, China and South Korea, which was significant to the planning of surgical services in the UK and internationally.