A Nigerian Computer Scientist, Mary-Brenda Akoda has won this year’s The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation Award organised by the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) limited and valued at $100,000.
Speaking at the Award ceremony held in Abuja on Monday, the General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Dr. Sophia Horsfall
said the prize was established not only to recognize scientific achievement, but to encourage research that addresses Nigeria’s challenges and delivers practical benefits to society.
Dr. Horsfall explained that Akoda’s invention, GenScanned AI, explores how advances in computing can be applied to magnetic resonance imaging.
“The true value of innovation in healthcare is seen in the difference it makes to the people who depend on it. GenScan AI presents a promising response to a recognized challenge in diagnostic imaging, making today’s engagement both timely and significant”, she said.
On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa thanked NLNG for the initiative, “I thank NLNG for looking for Nigerians and international people like Mary-Brenda Akoda. Thank you for your service to humanity”, he said.
Dr. Alausa advised that the scope of GenScan AI be expanded to cover other types of Medical Imaging:
“You don’t limit this to MRI alone. You can use the same thing for CT scan, for chest X-ray and for angiography. So, you don’t have a limit. If you look at the numbers of images being done every day, you’ve reduced a 60-minute MRI scan experience to six minutes. It goes beyond saving time for radiologists, for technologists, even the comfort. People have to sit in the scanner for one hour. If they now will sit in it for six minutes, it’s phenomenal”, the Minister said.
In her presentation, Mary-BrendaAkoda explained that the inspiration behind GenAI Scan stemmed from the loss of loved ones who had to wait for days to be scheduled for an MRI scan. Her invention, GenMRI is a first-of-its-kind AI imaging software that makes MRI scans up to 90% faster.
“…What we’ve done is, we have taught our AI system to be able to take just a few of those pieces, say 100 or 200 of those, and still be able to put back the full diagnostic quality image without any new hardware.
“And this does not disrupt the workflow. The workflow still remains the same. The only difference is the patient spends less time in the scanner. So what does this mean? Well, for one, as mentioned, patients can spend up to 90% less time in the scanner.
“It means reduced repeat scans. It means reduced sedation burden and the sedation cost. It means more patients can get the care that they need before it is too late. So ultimately, we’re working towards earlier access to diagnosis”, she explained.
