Dr. Walter Karlen, ECE Post-Docotral Fellow working with Dr. Mark Anermino has advanced to the second round of the Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health Program. Public engagement, as measured by votes and comments to competitors’ videos, is part of the selection process of this grant. Anyone can watch the videos; however, you must register and be logged-in to pick your favourites. The video viewing and voting period is from September 27 – November 11. A video describing Dr. Karlen’s work can be see here: “The Camera Oximeter – Pulse Oximetry Embedded On a Mobile Phone for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia.”
The Camera Oximeter will be a novel, ultra-low cost pulse oximeter that uses the built-in camera of a mobile phone to measure oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate. Software will include an advisory system for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases (pneumonia) in remote areas & community hospitals of low income countries. Dr. Karlen is taking the Camera Oximeter to Africa to demonstrate that innovative and affordable technology can help to bridge the healthcare gap between Canada and low income countries.
Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health is a program designed to encourage emerging Canadian innovators to bring their energy and creativity to finding solutions to pressing global health challenges.If a scientist advances to the next level of funding within this program, collaboration with developing country scientists will be required. This program is specifically designed to strengthen and sustain Canada’s leadership role in global health innovation by attracting the next generation of innovators to the field. The focus of the grant is on the bold idea, not the person.