Karim S. Karim of electrical and computer engineering has won a $100,000 grant from Grand Challenges Canada to help improve global health by developing an inexpensive tuberculosis test to combat the disease in developing countries. Karim was one of 15 researchers recognized on February 9 by Grand Challenges Canada’s rising stars awards handed out to the country’s most creative innovators to improve global health. Karim’s low-cost, portable tuberculosis test exemplifies the federally funded organization’s goal, said chief executive officer Peter Singer. ”It’s a bold idea with big impact that could save and improve lives of people in the developing world,” Singer said. The test will also be beneficial in other parts of the world, including Canada. Tuberculosis infection rates are very high in Aboriginal communities-upwards of 185 times greater than for others born in the country. [Grand Challenges Canada (PDF)]
Monday, February 13, 2012