News: ABSPIE recent initiatives

At the 12th EDCTP Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 15th to 20th June 2025, Ernest Bwogi, a biomedical engineer from Ernest Cook University, presented collaborative research on “Oxygen Concentrator Failures in Resource-Limited Settings.” This study, jointly conducted with the University of Warwick and University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome and funded by EPSRC IAA, examines the technical, environmental, and operational factors affecting the performance of oxygen concentrators essential to healthcare in low-resource environments. Bwogi’s presentation highlighted the significance of publishing peer-reviewed, evidence-based research to inform practical solutions and policy discussions. The forum provided a platform for interdisciplinary engagement and underscored the critical role of emerging professionals in driving innovation for healthcare delivery in underserved regions. Bwogi’s participation demonstrated the impact of global research partnerships in addressing real-world health challenges.

Dr Davide Piaggio, Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick, has been elected as Councilor and appointed Secretary General of the European Alliance of Medical and Biological Engineering and Science (EAMBES). He will align these new roles with his ongoing work at the IFMBE, BMEI, and the Society and Culture Spotlight.
Prof Leandro Pecchia, Full Professor at the University of Warwick and University Campus Biomedico of Rome, already with a rich history of leadership roles in EAMBES, was elected as Vice President.

ABSPIE Lab participated in the EPIG (European Parliament Interest Group) event, which focused on revisions to the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) to address regulatory bottlenecks. Key themes included medical innovation, sustainability, digital transformation (EHDS and AI), and patient safety, emphasizing the sector’s impact with 2 million technologies, 37,000 companies (90% SMEs), and 880,000 jobs. The event echoed the message: "No health, no wealth; no medical technologies, no healthcare."

Giacomo Pratesi and Davide Piaggio have been awarded a Visiting Professorship at the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) at the University of Warwick. Their research focuses on validating "DINO" by Paperbox Health, a web-based game for early literacy assessment in English primary schools.

The 7th East Africa Regional Healthcare Engineering Conference (EARC) 2024 in Mwanza, Tanzania, brought together scholars and professionals to address critical challenges in biomedical engineering. Representing a collaborative international team, our intern Mr Ernest Bwogi presented research on oxygen concentrator failures in low-resource settings, exploring the impact of dust and humidity. The experience was transformative, offering valuable feedback, inspiring discussions, and fostering meaningful connections. This milestone highlighted the importance of collaboration, persistence, and knowledge-sharing in driving innovation.