Grad student develops new approach to breast restoration

Each year more than 230,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States and approximately 180,000 undergo mastectomies. Nicholas Pashos, 28, a PhD candidate in the Tulane University interdisciplinary bioinnovation program, is working on a project that he hopes will one day transform breast reconstruction surgery.

He invented an experimental graft that plastic surgeons may use to regenerate a nipple and areola for complete breast restoration after cancer treatment.  

Pashos has won a $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps and $25,000 from the New Orleans BioInnovation Center to develop his research. His company, BioAesthetics, will compete next month as a finalist in the Tulane Business Model Competition.