Global Health

How can we address challenges and disparities that transcend national borders?

Using our philosophy of “frugal science” we tackle some of the most complex planetary-scale challenges, from climate change to emerging infectious diseases to extreme poverty. We invent, build, and scale-up ultra low-cost, yet powerful, open science tools for ecological monitoring (Abuzz), tropical disease diagnoses (Octopi, Squid), and science education (Foldscope). Our field work-focused approach allows us to collaborate with vulnerable communities across the globe to build a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future.

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Liberia, 2022

Topics

Our work is often rooted in global health issues that burden LMIC and low-resource settings, hence the topics/diseases that we target are often those regarded as the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Below are some of the topics that we have engaged in so far.

 

  • Related Projects:
    SnapDx
    Handyfuge
    Pneumask
    1000x1000
    Pufferfish
    N95 Decon

    Related Publications:

 

  • Related Project:
    PlantPad

    Related Publications:
    (coming soon)

Locations

Only so much can be done in the lab.

With the majority of our work designed to serve communities in LMIC, much of field sites often takes us out of California — as we travel to many countries in Africa and Asia on projects relating to global and environmental health. By being on-site, we gain a better understanding of the context and local constraints which help us design tools and ideas that solve real issues and become useful in each geographic context.

LIBERIA