Tyndall equitable photonics pioneer honoured as Optica fellow

This biophotonics researcher goals to develop sensing units that work successfully for individuals of all pores and skin tones.

Cork-based equitable biophotonics pioneer Dr Sanathana Konugolu Venkata Sekar has been elected a fellow member of Optica, an honour reserved for less than essentially the most distinctive people working in optics and photonics.

Konugolu is head of the FAST biophotonics group at Tyndall Nationwide Institute and is an affiliate professor at College School Cork (UCC). He’s additionally the co-founder and technical marketing consultant of BioPixS, a spin-out from his analysis.

In 2024, he was awarded a European Analysis Council (ERC) grant for his venture NOBIAS, which addresses racial bias in optical well being monitoring. His patented know-how allows correct physiological sensing throughout all pores and skin tones, setting new requirements for inclusive innovation.

“Color bias in optical units equivalent to smartwatches and pulse oximeters have an effect on 2.2bn individuals of color,” Konugolu instructed SiliconRepublic.com final 12 months.

“The continual wave (CW) know-how utilized in these units is proscribed in accuracy and outcomes are biased by pores and skin color and lightweight scattering in tissue.”

He stated that the objective of the NOBIAS venture “is to put the inspiration for the world’s first bias-free and correct optical biomarker sensing gadget”.

Rising up in rural India, Konugolu stated he all the time had a ardour for science and innovation, and he even created a mini lab at residence to tinker with damaged devices.

“I’m really honoured by this recognition from Optica,” Konugolu stated.

“I’m deeply grateful for the assist, encouragement and alternatives offered by UCC and Tyndall, which have allowed me to take unconventional paths and pursue impactful work throughout disciplines, from my early days of founding BioPixS right into a globally recognised requirements firm in biophotonics, to securing an ERC grant, main a number of EU and industrial tasks, constructing a vibrant FAST-Biophotonics group, and receiving a number of awards and recognitions alongside the way in which.”

Optica is a number one worldwide society devoted to advancing the science of sunshine. Fellow membership is reserved for less than 10pc of Optica’s members and goals to recognise members who advance the self-discipline with their work.

CEO of Tyndall, Prof William Scanlon described Konugolu’s recognition as a “incredible achievement” and “a proud second for Tyndall”.

Head of biophotonics at Tyndall, Prof Stefan Andersson-Engels can be an Optica fellow. He stated that Konugolu’s work “delivers real-world affect in well being monitoring and world standardisation”.

Key enabling know-how

With functions throughout a variety of fields together with communications, medical imaging, semiconductors, photo voltaic panels and quantum computing, photonics – the science and engineering of sunshine particles – is vital for analysis and improvement in superior applied sciences, and in 2009 was named by the European Fee as one of many 5 key enabling applied sciences.

Current analysis from European group Photonics21 discovered that the photonics start-up scene is accelerating throughout the area, with 240 corporations newly recognized since 2024 and 556 energetic corporations now tracked throughout the continent. Of these, one in 5 deal with medical functions together with most cancers diagnostics, surgical imaging and new instruments for personalised drugs.

Earlier this 12 months, the European Fee introduced €5m in funding over 4 years to develop a brand new photonics schooling and coaching community to spice up Europe’s expertise pipeline on this very important sector.

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