Spotlight on: Brandon Smith
Dr Brandon Smith is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Engineering. His research lies in the ideation, innovation, and translation processes for healthcare technologies in resource-limited settings.
What is your research about?
My research focuses on equitable global health technology, with a specific interest in developing ways to collect and process health data in resource-constrained settings. By leveraging advancements in new technologies such as deep learning and cellular networking, I aim to make healthcare access and provision more equitable, particularly for marginalised and remote populations.
What led you to this area of research?
My interest in global health innovation first began as a medical student at King’s College London, where my first intercalated degree focused on low-cost reusable surgical simulators for complex urological procedures. This was a major inflection point for my academic career and led me to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience at Cambridge, focusing on developing new low-cost and readily deployable platforms for automated patient follow-up after traumatic brain injury. Seeing the potential of frugal innovation to bridge healthcare gaps, I have remained dedicated to making cutting-edge medical technologies accessible to all.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am leading two flagship research projects in 2025: HELM and Amulet which focus on collecting & analysing and transmitting & storing healthcare data, respectively.
- HELM is an edge-based computer vision system that monitors helmet usage among micromobility users to prevent neurotrauma. Funded by the School of Technology Seed Fund, it generates real-time data to inform targeted public health interventions to reduce the risks of traumatic brain injury (TBI). With 69 million new TBI cases annually, HELM addresses a critical need, particularly in low-income countries.
- Amulet is a decentralised, passive wearable electronic health record designed for deployment in environments with little to no electronic health infrastructure. Targeted for use in conflict zones, humanitarian crises, and displaced populations, Amulet ensures continuity of care by providing a portable, user-friendly solution for accessing critical health information. Given that 1% of the global population is forcibly displaced due to conflict and environmental disasters, this innovation seeks to mitigate healthcare fragmentation and improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.
How does interdisciplinary collaboration enhance your research?
I am incredibly fortunate to be part of the International Health Systems Group, an interdisciplinary team comprised of academic engineers and clinicians. We work closely with collaborators in the UK and overseas, particularly Uganda and Pakistan.
My research is built on the principles of stakeholder co-design. I regularly engage with the public, healthcare professionals, and wider stakeholder groups to ensure a thorough understanding of the problem before the innovation process begins. This approach ensures new technologies and processes are resilient, contextually relevant, sustainable, and directly address the needs and aspirations of the populations they aim to serve.
Which public health challenges need more research and attention?
Bringing advancements in healthcare technology to the masses through equitable co-design and finding new ways to bridge the ever-growing digital divide to reach marginalised populations and improve health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.