Healthcare technologies for low resource settings (session 1)

Brian is a biomedical engineering researcher and innovator working with Makerere University where he also assists in tutoring and lecturing students. He has a vested interest in research and innovations around maternal and child health and infectious diseases with focus on technologies and rapid diagnostics. He is the coordinator under the Center for design, Innovation and Translational Excellence (CITE) at Makerere University. He is also a lead and or coordinator on a number of projects including the Early Preeclampsia Detection Strip Project, the KeySuite Laparoscopic device, the LeVe CPAP system, MATICA-mathematics learning, phototherapy and UltraViolet light applications. 

Pete is Professor of Healthcare Engineering and Director of Post Graduate Research in the School of Mechanical Engineering. His expertise is in multidisciplinary research on medical device technologies, particularly focusing on sustainability and global healthcare challenges. His current funding supports projects on sensors to identify diabetic foot ulcer risk, designing ‘frugal’ MedTech equipment for low-resource settings in India and Africa, and engineering to support ‘circular’ (reusable) medical devices. Pete is sustainability co-lead of the Leeds NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) for Accelerated Surgical Care, driving strategies to improve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions in the NHS sector. He sits on the Institute of Mechanical Engineers’ Biomedical Engineering Division committee and co-chairs their “Incontinence, An Engineering Challenge” conference series.

Amarpreet Rai brings more than 10 years of experience in the emerging markets and with innovative medical devices. As one of the co-founders of Sanrai, she is skilled in bringing an idea from concept to maturity. In 2023, Ms. Rai became the Managing Director with responsibility over the entire global operation with a goal of making healthcare accessible to all. She is passionate about reducing inequality and commercializing the latest healthcare innovations. 

Oliver Niemann brings to Drive Medical over 25 years of medical industry experience and Business Leadership. In 2009, Mr. Niemann moved into the Executive role of Managing Director of DeVilbiss Healthcare for the entities in Germany, France and UK. Following the acquisition event by Drive Medical, in 2015 Mr. Niemann joined the Drive DeVilbiss Corporation. He played an integral role streamlining the various international sales and operational activities for the entire Drive DeVilbiss product portfolio. Since 2018 when Mr. Niemann earned additional responsibility as the Managing Director for Drive Medical GmbH in Isny/Germany and since 2023 for Drive  DeVilbiss Nancy/France respectively, the goal is continued improvement and merging business functions by always keeping focus on the customer.