Cohort One — Active

Where Biomedical
Scientists Become Builders

Africa's premier HealthTech innovation academy — training biomedical lab scientists to build real AI-powered healthcare solutions, one cohort at a time.

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01 — Who We Are

More than an academy. A movement.

BMLSIA is a next-generation innovation academy for biomedical laboratory science students and professionals who believe their white coats can do more than just diagnostics.

We're not a classroom. We're a build space — where scientists learn to code, design, research, and ship real healthcare technology that Africa needs.

Our full story →

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Our Mission

To empower Biomedical Laboratory Scientists to become innovators, storytellers, educators, and changemakers using the power of science, technology, and creative thinking.

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Our Vision

A world where lab professionals are seen not just as testers — but as tech-enabled problem-solvers shaping the future of healthcare in Africa and beyond.

02 — What We Build

Real products. Real impact.

active

MPDetect

AI-powered malaria detection via smartphone microscopy

A smartphone-based malaria parasite detection system that uses computer vision and machine learning to identify malaria-infected blood smears — making accurate diagnostics accessible in resource-limited settings across Africa.

AIMalariaDiagnosticsComputer Vision

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pilot

OutEMReach

Micro-EMR built for community health outreaches

A lightweight, outreach-optimized Electronic Medical Record platform designed to capture, store, and share patient data during community health missions in Africa — where internet is unreliable and time is scarce.

EMRCommunity HealthDigital HealthNigeria

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03 — The Cohort Journey

From application to impact.

Apply

Weeks 1–2

Open application process. 140+ applications reviewed. 30 changemakers selected across 11 disciplines.

Onboard

Weeks 3–4

Team formation, role assignments, tool onboarding (Notion, GitHub, Figma), and mentor introductions.

Define

Weeks 5–8

Deep problem space research. Literature reviews, user interviews, competitive analysis. Problem Statement delivered.

Build

Weeks 9–12

Full development sprint. Every discipline contributing. Bi-weekly mentor check-ins and milestone reviews.

Ship

Weeks 13–15

Testing, iteration, documentation, and whitepaper publication. All assets pushed to GitHub.

Demo Day

Week 16

Public showcase event — live and virtual. Teams present to judges, funders, and healthcare leaders.

04 — The Innovators

Meet Cohort One

View all 30 fellows →

Abdul Bello

Graphic Design

Uni. of Ibadan

Abdullateef Abdullahi Akanbi

Biomedical Science

Usmanu Danfodiyo Uni.

Abuoma Ejikeme

Biomedical Science

Uni. of Ibadan

Blessing Chukwudi

Biomedical Science

Uni. of Nigeria, Nsukka

Blessing Chukwuma

AI/ML Engineering

Uni. of Nigeria, Nsukka

Bright Gabriel

Medical Writing & Storytelling

Uni. of Port-Harcourt

Charles Diovu

AI/ML Engineering

Enugu State Uni. of Science and Technology

Chidimma Ilonze

Medical Writing & Storytelling

Uni. of Nigeria, Nsukka

Chisom Obah

AI/ML Engineering

Uni. of Ibadan

Clinton Nduka

Frontend Development

Uni. of Lagos

Daniel Akinade

Medical Writing & Storytelling

Uni. of Ibadan

Ekengo Ataetip

Content Creation

Uni. of Port-Harcourt

+ 18 more fellows in Cohort One

05 — From the Lab

Latest stories

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🔬Project Update

How We Built MPDetect: A Smartphone Malaria Detection System

Cohort One takes you behind the scenes of building Africa's first AI-powered malaria detection tool using nothing but a phone camera and machine learning.

8 min readRead →

🤖AI & Diagnostics