Impact Pitch Winner Dr. Akshee Batra on Health Literacy, Mentorship, and the Future of Cancer Education

“They mentored me while I was presenting:” Impact Pitch winner Dr. Akshee Batra on the Competition, Health Literacy, and What’s Next

Dr. Akshee Batra’s award-winning project at Binaytara’s Impact Pitch highlights the critical role of health literacy in cancer care. By developing patient education videos, her work aims to improve understanding of systemic therapy and expand access to equitable, patient-centered oncology resources worldwide.

Key Takeaways from the Impact Pitch and Dr. Batra’s Award-Winning Project

• Spotlight on health literacy in cancer care: At the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities, Dr. Akshee Batra’s award-winning project focused on improving patient understanding of systemic cancer therapy through educational videos.
• Innovative research funding through live pitching: Binaytara’s Impact Pitch introduced a Shark Tank–style format, where early-career researchers presented and defended their ideas in real time.
• Patient education as a tool for equity: Dr. Batra’s work addresses critical gaps in health literacy, aiming to empower patients with accessible, easy-to-understand cancer treatment information.
• Mentorship-driven evaluation process: Beyond funding, participants received live feedback and guidance from expert Catalysts, strengthening the quality and scalability of their research.
• Global potential for scalable solutions: Dr. Batra envisions expanding her project into a platform that delivers cancer education resources to patients worldwide.
• Recognition and support for emerging leaders: The $25,000 Binaytara Implementation Science Research Award supports early-career innovators advancing patient-centered cancer care solutions.
• Redefining “winning” in research: The Impact Pitch emphasizes learning, iteration, and collaboration, positioning participation itself as a meaningful professional milestone.

Inside Binaytara’s Impact Pitch: A New Model for Research Funding

Binaytara’s inaugural Impact Pitch took center stage at last weekend’s Summit on Cancer Health Disparities. Following the first-of-its-kind Shark Tank-style funding competition, two early-career researchers walked away with the Binaytara Implementation Science Research Award after presenting their research and fielding constructive questions and feedback from the session’s Catalysts.

Meet Dr. Akshee Batra: Advancing Health Literacy in Cancer Care

Joining Dr. Benjamin Li on the first-ever winners’ podium is Dr. Akshee Batra, a Hematology and Oncology Fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Before landing in Miami, Dr. Batra earned her M.B.B.S. from Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi.

At the Impact Pitch, Dr. Batra introduced her project “Implementing Patient Education Videos to Improve Understanding of Systemic Cancer Therapy.” Per the session’s fast-paced format, Dr. Batra received seven minutes to talk about her project, including making a case for why it should win, before the Catalysts launched into questions and critiques.

Award-Winning Project: Improving Patient Understanding of Systemic Therapy

Despite a little initial anxiety, passion for her topic—health literacy disparities—steeled Dr. Batra’s nerves. “Going on stage and getting this opportunity was amazing,” she said. “I’m very grateful that Binaytara is focusing on disparities. The judges asked very thought provoking questions… So it not only gave me the opportunity to present, they also mentored me while I was presenting my project and improved it for further research.”

As the competition progressed, Dr. Batra began to see the Impact Pitch process as even more valuable than its results. “I don’t consider [the outcomes] as winning or losing. Having the opportunity to present here and improve the project is a win by itself.”

Dr. Batra was in for another kind of win, as well. Following the Impact Pitch, she received the Binaytara Implementation Science Research Award maximum prize of $25,000 for her project—which she’d flown from Miami, Florida to Bellevue, Washington to present and defend. She plans to continue her research and expand its scope.

“This is my passion,” Dr. Batra said. “Maybe we’ll develop a platform to enable patients all over the globe to get the information that they need.”

Frequently Asked Questions About the Impact Pitch and Health Literacy

Who is Dr. Akshee Batra?

Dr. Akshee Batra is a Hematology and Oncology Fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, with a background in medicine from Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi.

Why is patient education important in cancer care?

Clear, accessible education improves patient comprehension, engagement, and decision-making—leading to better adherence to treatment and improved health outcomes.

What problem does this project address?

The project targets health literacy disparities, which can prevent patients from fully understanding their diagnosis and treatment options, especially in underserved populations.

How does the Impact Pitch support researchers?

The Impact Pitch provides a platform for early-career researchers to present their work, receive real-time expert feedback, and compete for funding in a dynamic, high-visibility setting.

What makes this approach different from traditional grants?

Unlike traditional applications, this format emphasizes concise communication, immediate critique, and interactive mentorship, helping researchers refine their ideas quickly.

How much funding did Dr. Batra receive?

Dr. Batra received the maximum award of $25,000 to support and expand her research initiative.

What are the future goals of this project?

Dr. Batra aims to scale her work into a global platform that delivers accessible cancer education resources to patients worldwide.

What is implementation science in this context?

Implementation science focuses on integrating evidence-based interventions—like patient education tools—into real-world healthcare systems to improve outcomes at scale.