Cell, Culture, Community

Smiti Mittal
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We explore bioengineering innovations that are transforming human and planetary health, particularly in underprivileged settings. Health goes beyond hospital walls, such as the health we build by preventing pandemics or fortifying our food. In conversation with inventors, scientists and strategists, we hunt for design criteria, novel science, and field insights. Learn about the creative ways scientists address resource constraints, from paper-and-pencil diagnostics to a durable phototherapy device. Explainers, expert interviews, my personal sci-fi fantasies…there’s something for everyone!

Episodes

  1. 07/29/2024

    At-Home Relief: Novel Drug Empowering Patients in Sickle Cell Crisis

    Over 90% of American sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are Black or African American, contributing to a history of underfunding and stigma. Patients in debilitating pain are misconstrued as drug seekers. What medicines they receive have side effects and fail to address the root cause. In this season’s finale, I interview John Paderi, Chief Scientific Officer at IHP Therapeutics. Inspired by Biodesign’s patient-centric approach, he is developing a novel, self-administered drug for SCD pain crisis. Join us to discover the SCD patient journey, shortcomings of existing therapies, and his learnings as CSO—risks, opportunities, strategy and all. We also explore how he integrates Biodesign with his academic training, surprising parallels between SCD and migraines, and his most rewarding moment at IHP so far! References: Overview on Sickle Cell Pain Management (Osunkwo et al.) Health Care Disparities in Sickle Cell Disease (Lee et al.) Impact of Opioid Epidemic on Sickle Cell Patients (Sinha et al.)

  2. 07/10/2024

    Accessible Diagnostics with Paper, Printer and Pencil

    Low-cost, rapid, accurate, portable, heat-proof… These are just a few of the many boundary conditions Prof. Suman Chakraborty keeps in mind while designing for low-resource settings. Inspired by the simple arts and crafts we do in primary school, he builds paper-based frugal diagnostics. He explores the deep science in everyday items. Tune in to hear how he invented pencil-drawn electrodes and microfluidic channels you can print in any office! We also discuss the demand-supply gap in point-of-care devices, his recent push towards device-free testing, and his philosophy on keeping curiosity alive by pursuing simplicity of the mind. References: WHO India Health System Review (How Health Expenditures Drive Poverty) Publication from Chakraborty Lab on Paper-and-Pencil Microfluidics

  3. 06/18/2024

    Portable, Painless and Privacy-Aware: Breast Imaging For All

    “We always love our technology,” Dr. Geetha says. “It’s easy to say - yeah, that false negative? It has to be false.” Today, I speak with the founder of Niramai, a safe, accessible AI-based cancer diagnostic that’s gone beyond buzzwords to create large-scale, global impact. Join us to hear how Dr. Geetha built the world’s largest database of thermal breast images, navigated doctors’ worries of being replaced by A.I., and adapted her product for diverse contexts, to be low-cost for rural screening and low-risk for quick FDA clearance. Along the way, she shares why cancer rates are increasing among young women, how entrepreneurship feels like racing down an empty highway, and the one thing in her daily routine she prizes more than food! References: Feature on Niramai and Breast Cancer Stats in India WHO Global Cancer Burden News Release Article Linking Breast Cancer, Childbirth, and Breastfeeding Youtube License Codes: YRVETGM2CE9Z5UVW, QX3HA65SLZLJAKWV, UR8BNRLMRASVSRDR

  4. 05/16/2024

    Our Enemy’s Enemy: Can Phages Beat Antibacterial Resistance?

    In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused 1.27 million deaths around the world. Antibiotic misuse is making tried and trusted medicines ineffective against resistant superbugs. In this episode, I speak with Prof. Urmi Bajpai, co-Founder of the International Bacteriophage Research Consortium. We dissect how phages work, what we can and cannot engineer in them today, and why global coordination is essential going forward. Via the One Health lens, we explore the impact of climate change on AMR and how our war on bacteria is interconnected across sectors, from agriculture to medicine. Tune in to also catch Prof. Bajpai’s take on a fictional, futuristic phage-printer and her journey creating a Biomedical Science department from scratch! References: R&D Gaps in Phage Therapy Forbes Primer on Phage Therapy WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Fact Sheet Music License Codes: YHNLRERFHWIXNVJ0, XLV7SAFD5G0EXWND, 6ZMZK5UJG7ZAITZV

  5. 04/30/2024

    Celsi’s Clinical Journey + The Invention Education Model

    Studies reveal >65% of babied admitted into Asian and African NICUs are hypothermic. In Part 3 of this series on neonatal health devices for low-resource settings, I speak with Sonia Sosa from the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies. Through bite-sized student projects, they develop tools such as Celsi, a continuous monitor that alerts nurses of unchecked hypothermia. Tune in as Sonia shares clinical insights from Celsi’s creation and journey to FDA 510(k) clearance in 2023. We also explore what ‘low-resource setting’ truly means to her and how the Invention Education model is fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in Malawi and Tanzania! References: Neonatal Hypothermia Prevalence WHO Newborn Mortality Fact Sheet WHO Preterm Birth Fact Sheet Music License Codes: OSIYU3ZJ3NMOEBRB, BFIVSC8JRHFHEIYI, WGPKEPYQKZDP0V7R

  6. 04/30/2024

    Integrating Tech Within Diverse Health Systems

    The Brilliance phototherapy device has touched the lives of over 1 million neonates with jaundice. Their trick? Probing deep into health systems to ask: Who are the people and institutions providing care to underserved communities? What does it take to earn their trust? How do we embolden health workers to use their skills to the fullest? In Part 2 of this series spotlighting neonatal health technologies designed for low-resource settings, I welcome Krishnakumar Sankaranarayanan (KK), former MD of Equalize Health India. Join us as we uncover the technology and market strategy behind the successful adoption of Brilliance phototherapy device. Along the way, we explore the cost-quality tradeoff in engineering and why pharma giants haven’t been able to bridge the accessible tech gap just yet. References: Human-Centered Design Case Series Featuring “Brilliance” Equalize Health Impact Audit Music License Codes: 6RZ1QCMLRU5EUREW, UJMANWNDBCJ8SCFV, FBBXCULZLH4SQGLZ

  7. 04/30/2024

    How To Escape The Device Graveyard: Low Cost CPAP Design

    “Device graveyards” clutter the basements and broom closets of crowded hospitals. As of 2010, a whooping 40% of medical devices in the developing world were out of service due to inadequate repair, training, or infrastructure. Join us for Part 1 of this series spotlighting neonatal health technologies created for low-resource settings. Today’s guest, Tanner Shioshita from Equalize Health, shares the design principles that helped him build a neonatal CPAP that’s affordable, user-friendly, and robust. Also discover his passion for engineering, and the unique culture that made his time at Equalize Health fun, creative, and fulfilling! References: How Much Medical Equipment is Broken in the Developing World? WHO Newborn Mortality Fact Sheet WHO Preterm Birth Fact Sheet Music License Codes: FXTEJTJTOPXZHPPG, 2YWHQJJMCDY1EQNM, WGSEZCGNDNYGLSIA, IUVMEDVMOQT3IG3F

  • 7 Episodes

About

We explore bioengineering innovations that are transforming human and planetary health, particularly in underprivileged settings. Health goes beyond hospital walls, such as the health we build by preventing pandemics or fortifying our food. In conversation with inventors, scientists and strategists, we hunt for design criteria, novel science, and field insights. Learn about the creative ways scientists address resource constraints, from paper-and-pencil diagnostics to a durable phototherapy device. Explainers, expert interviews, my personal sci-fi fantasies…there’s something for everyone!

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