Hi everyone! Welcome back! We just finished our 6th week in Malawi. I am excited to share the progress we’ve made and some updates!

So this week began on Mount Mulanje! Monday was a national holiday, so Katie and I decided to go on a 2-day overnight hike with some of our friends from Kabula Lodge. It was definitely the hardest hike I have ever done, but it was also very fulfilling as we got to cold plunge in a small pond and swim in a waterfall along the way. Our legs definitely were not happy the next day, but nonetheless, it was a great experience.

During the working week, we were preparing for our presentations of our medium fidelity prototypes on Friday, which turned out to be a great success. Racheal (my Malawian partner) and I have been working tirelessly to get our app, scale, and SMS database working. Unfortunately, we are still encountering some problems with the SMS database. We were able to pinpoint the issue to the lack of a 2G network in downtown Blantyre, as one of our TAs was able to use the GSM module at his home, but it never seemed to work at MUBAS. I definitely want to nail this down as soon as possible, as it is a very important part of our project since we want to make our app and device as accessible as possible, especially in rural clinics, which require SMS. Aside from the SMS issues, the app and scale development are going smoothly. We just completed the final CAD model for our scale and will begin 3D printing. We also transferred our working circuit onto a perfboard to make it fit within the CAD model. I am excited to finalize this part of the project next week. The app is also looking much better, as we have completed a good chunk of what we had envisioned. The only thing left is, again, related to the SMS! I am very happy with our progress this week.

The best part of our week was definitely shadowing the NICU and Dr. Moses Chanza. We were able to get firsthand exposure and experience in the neonate ward and learn about the impact that NEST360 has made on QECH. We also identified areas for improvement and potential individual projects that we can work on. One such project would be a formula dispenser that adjusts the input rate according to the neonate’s weight, size, etc., as they already have a similar device for dextrose. We plan on shadowing some other areas of the hospital next week to gain more valuable field exposure!

This weekend, we also decided to take a spontaneous trip to the Zomba Plateau. It is absolutely beautiful and I wish we had longer to visit. We were able to see monkeys, walk along a beautiful river, and enjoy a nice sunset hike. The more time I spend in Malawi, the more I feel like time is running out. I would love to bring my parents or friends here someday to experience the beauty of Malawi.

I have no doubt that the next two weeks will be very busy, as we finalize our projects and try to make the most out of our last days.

Stay tuned for more!

Hi everyone! I am excited to share with you all the progress we have made over this past week.

On Monday, our team worked on finalizing the code for our ESP32 scale interface. Over the last two weeks, we have been working on designing the circuits for our project while also integrating software to make our system cohesive. As shown below, we were able to get a simulation of our code with the proper components working with the buttons. The next step for this part of our project will be to make our ESP32 transmit its output to the healthcare provider’s phone through Bluetooth. Next week, we also plan on finalizing this build and 3D printing our CAD model to finish our medium-fidelity prototype.

Tuesday through Thursday, we shifted our attention to the ESP32-GSM module interface. For those who don’t know what those two components are, an ESP32 is a microcontroller similar to Arduino, except it has built-in Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities. A GSM module is used to transmit and receive SMS between devices. This interface is crucial as it serves as a sort of “server” that can then be used to communicate and transmit crucial clinical information between the database and healthcare workers in remote areas. A diagram explaining the different parts of our project can be found below:

On top of building the circuit, we were able to form a connection between Firebase (an online database) and the ESP32 module, making it possible to transmit information between the two. We also began working on writing the code to receive SMS messages from the GSM module. This process was a bit more challenging than initially anticipated, as we ran into some issues while debugging. Nonetheless, we are making steady progress on our DigiScale project, and I expect that we will finish this part of the project very soon!

Regarding the Lung Ultrasound Trainer (my other project that was brought from the U.S.), we coordinated with some radiographers on Friday, who helped us record some videos of the trainer to distribute them to more point-of-care ultrasound users to get feedback on the realism of the device. One interesting finding from our conversations was that ultrasounds are not often used on lungs in Malawi, as one radiographer mentioned that they prefer X-rays for many patients. This presents a unique challenge, but it will definitely be one that we can overcome with the right approach. I am excited to see how this project will progress, as I think the following steps will primarily include receiving feedback from clinicians.

Aside from work at MUBAS, I finished my physics final on Thursday, which was a significant relief, as it now means I will have more time to explore Malawi and pursue other passions. For example, Katie and I were able to go to a high school graduation today, and also went to the gym. I am excited to see what the next few weeks will look like!

Thanks for checking in with me! See you all in two weeks!

Hi everyone, it’s Mehmet again. This week has been very informative and adventurous. Let me take you through my days.

This past Sunday, our American roommate and I went to play in a basketball tournament at the local sports complex. We split into teams of 5 each, with seven teams in the tournament. It was fun to navigate the cultural differences in play style and rules. I plan to join the sessions every weekend! It’s incredible how something as simple as a sport can bring people together.

On Monday, we had off from work due to Eid. As a result, we decided to participate in a sunset hike up Mount Ndirande. Hiking up the 1600m mountain was quite challenging, but the view absolutely made up for our “suffering.” Once we reached the summit, we sat at the top for around an hour, eating oranges and taking pictures before making our way down as the sun set. It was an exhilarating experience, and I plan to hike more during my time here.

During the week, Katie and I participated in multiple workshops. On Tuesday, we finalized the design criteria for our new project. My partner, Racheal, and I are developing a digitized system to monitor longitudinal child growth. Our current solution will include the creation of an app, a database that synchronizes with the existing health passport system, and a digital scale that automates the process of weighing a child. I am excited to start prototyping soon! This project will help build my understanding of microprocessors, app development, and database management.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we participated in Arduino and CAD workshops with our TAs. The lessons were eye-opening, and I am excited to develop our projects with these tools. We also met with a couple of our clinical mentors and planned the next steps for receiving feedback and needs-finding. In the coming weeks, I plan to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital more frequently and better scope out the healthcare system in this country.

This weekend, we are heading to the Majete National Park to explore the wildlife and go on a safari! I can’t wait to share the pictures and further progress on our projects!

Thanks for reading my blog post! See you next time.

Hi everyone! My name is Mehmet Acikel. I am a rising sophomore on the pre-med track, studying biochemistry and minoring in global health technologies. I am originally from New Jersey, and my favorite hobbies include playing basketball and trying new cultural food. I am excited to embark on this two-month journey of learning and growth. I am excited to learn more about the culture, history, and people of Malawi. It is a blessing to have this opportunity, and I hope to give back as best I can.

My interest in global health began during my junior year of high school. At the time, I wrote my extended essay on the Mediterranean commensality, the act of eating together, and how it creates health benefits for both communities and individuals. I found the social and cultural dimensions of healthcare fascinating, and I read multiple books in the medical anthropology space, which furthered my interest in global health.

Since coming to Rice, I have had the opportunity to engage with the Rice 360 Global Health Club as part of the special topics committee and with the Rice Association for African Development, where I helped design an improved complementary food packet to address malnutrition in Nigeria. Both of these experiences furthered my interest in approaching global health from a technical standpoint, which led me to this internship.

Katie and I plan to focus on receiving feedback for two projects this summer: a tourniquet trainer and a lung-ultrasound traines used to simulate different lung pathologies. I am eager to also work on projects with the students from MUBAS, as everyone has been super kind and motivated. This summer, I hope to develop a project combining hardware with software, as I am interested in learning about the cohesive development of medical devices. As someone with little experience with hardware but a decent amount of exposure to software, it will be an excellent opportunity to learn from students in Malawi and expand my skill set.

After multiple long flights, we arrived in Malawi yesterday around noon. In our first two days here, it has been great to explore different markets and meet the amazing people we will be working with this summer. Before this trip, my family was fortunate enough to find a contact in Malawi, so Katie and I could also meet with him today. He runs a school called Bedir, which is 5 minutes away from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Having someone like him as a contact point is such a blessing. Next week, since it is Eid (an Islamic holiday), I plan to go and distribute food with him in some villages around Blantyre. I am excited to meet and speak with some of the high school students at his school, who have aspirations of studying college abroad in Europe and other countries.

As someone who enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures, I am excited to share food with, build connections with, and learn from more people. Whenever I travel, I find myself in awe of how vast and beautiful our world is. I cannot wait to learn more about Malawi and myself through this trip. I plan to reflect deeply on my experiences here and bring what I have learned back to the US. Specifically, learning more Chichewa before I leave will be great!

Looking forward to these next two months. Thanks for reading!