Our Story
BMLSIA was born from a simple frustration: biomedical laboratory scientists are trained to understand disease better than almost anyone, yet they are rarely in the room when health technology is being built.
Samuel Ogunleke, a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist in training at the University of Ibadan, decided to change that. Not by writing about it — but by building a space where BMLS students and professionals could learn to code, design, communicate, and ship real healthcare products.
Cohort One launched in early 2025 with 30 carefully selected fellows — chosen from 140+ applicants across Africa. Together, they're building MPDetect, an AI-powered malaria detection system using smartphone microscopy, and OutEMReach, a micro-EMR for community health outreaches.
The goal is not just to build two tools. It's to prove — once and for all — that a biomedical scientist with a phone camera, a GitHub account, and a team can change diagnostics in Africa. And then to do it again, and again, with every cohort.
What We Stand For
Build Real Things
Every cohort ships a real product. No demos that die in a slide deck. If it doesn't work in a hospital or a community, it doesn't count.
Africa First
Our problems are our inspiration. We build for the health challenges that affect millions of Africans — starting with those our members see in their own labs.
Multidisciplinary by Default
Scientists + Engineers + Designers + Communicators. The best solutions come from unlikely collaborations. We engineer those collisions on purpose.
Build in Public
We celebrate wins loudly, share failures honestly, and document everything. Transparency builds trust, and trust builds communities that last.
Excellence is Non-Negotiable
We are selective because we are serious. 30 out of 140 applicants. Quality over quantity, always — because the BMLSIA badge must mean something.
People Over Products
The humans in every cohort matter more than the projects. Their growth, their stories, their futures — that's the real output of BMLSIA.
Journey
BMLSIA Founded
Samuel Ogunleke establishes BMLSIA at the University of Ibadan to bridge the gap between biomedical science and technology.
First Call for Applications
140+ applications received from students and professionals across Africa within 3 weeks.
Cohort One Launched
30 fellows selected across 11 disciplines from 3 African countries to build MPDetect and OutEMReach.
Projects Hit Build Phase
MPDetect AI model training begins. OutEMReach pilot deployment planned with Smilebuilders Initiative.
Demo Day
Cohort One presents to live audience of healthcare leaders, funders, and innovators — online and in Ibadan.
Pan-West Africa Expansion
Cohort Two opens with tracks in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. First BMLSIA HealthTech Summit announced.
Leadership
Samuel Ogunleke
Visionary Lead / CEO
Biomedical Laboratory Scientist in training at the University of Ibadan. Builder, educator, and AI Community Lead. Founded BMLSIA to prove that lab scientists are more than their bench.
Adedoyin Adedamola
Programme Lead / COO
Owns cohort operations, member experience, and programme quality. The engine room of BMLSIA — ensuring every cohort member has everything they need to build and thrive.
Advisory Board — Coming Soon
We are building an advisory board of 5–7 respected figures in African HealthTech, clinical science, and global health policy. Interested in advising? Email partnerships@bmlsia.org
Ecosystem
BMLSIA works with universities, hospitals, NGOs, and technology companies to give fellows access to real problems, real datasets, and real deployment environments.
University of Ibadan — BMLS Department
Smilebuilders Initiative
University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
HPV Consortium Nigeria
Interested in partnering with BMLSIA? Email partnerships@bmlsia.org or visit the Institutional membership page.
Whether you're a student, professional, mentor, or partner — there's a place for you at BMLSIA.