Research

My prior research has focused on global health technologies, engineering education in Africa, energy solutions for health systems, and environmental sensing in low-resource settings.

My current research interests include exploring the policies which address the most important social, natural, technological, and health challenges impacting the planet.

Development of a non-contact handwashing device to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in Nigeria

• Lead author and presenter. Presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Seattle, Washington.  2022.

Limited-contact posture change device for ICU patients in Nigeria

• Lead presenter. Presented at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. San Antonio, Texas. 2021.

Non-contact, adaptable handwashing device

F/PT/NC/2024/11732 · Issued by the Nigerian Federal Government in Apr 2024

• Description: A piece of hardware which, when interfaced with a water bucket, serves to automatically dispense water and liquid soap onto a user’s hand when a proximity sensor is triggered – for use where piped water is unavailable

Limited-contact, posture change device for patients

F/PT/NC/2024/11733 · Issued by the Nigerian Federal Government in Apr 2024

• Description: A mechanical device which turns a critically ill (and potentially infectious) patient from the supine position to the prone position, thereby reducing the number of healthcare workers required to handle a patient 

Leveraging an Open-Source Digital Design Notebook for Graduate Biomedical Engineering Education in Nigeria

• Citation: Casserly, P., Dare, A., Onuh, J. et al. Leveraging an Open-Access Digital Design Notebook for Graduate Biomedical Engineering Education in Nigeria. Biomed Eng Education 4, 267–274 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00136-8 

• Mini Abstract: Faced with disruptions from university strikes and the Covid-19 pandemic, a digital design notebook (DDN) using Google Sites was developed to support biomedical engineering graduate students in Nigeria. This tool enabled remote instruction, collaboration, and documentation of the engineering design process, allowing students to create e-portfolios that showcased their work on clinician-identified design challenges while being remotely assessed by instructors. 

A machine-learning approach for measuring groundwater depth using handpump infrastucture as a medium 

• Citation: Casserly, P. A machine-learning approach for measuring groundwater depth using handpump infrastructure as a medium. Tsinghua University Library Press. (2019).
  https://newetds.lib.tsinghua.edu.cn/qh/paper/258270 

• Mini Abstract: This master's dssertation describes a machine-learning method to estimate groundwater depth using communal handpump infrastructure which is common in rural Africa. By attaching an accelerometer to the pump handle and using a regression model to analyze vibration data, the study demonstrated a highly accurate and affordable approach to groundwater monitoring, with significant potential for improving water resource management in low-income regions. 

Innovation Technology Landscape: Technologies from African universities designed to solve local and global challenges: 1st edition

• Citation: Kirby, R., Taylor, A., and Casserly, P. (2022). Innovation Technology Landscape: Technologies from African Universities Designed to Solve Local and Global Challenges: 1st Edition Technical Report. NEST360: Retrieved from
  https://nest360.org/project/innovation-landscape/ 

• Summary: The Innovation Landscape features solutions designed by African innovators that solve local healthcare challenges. I worked with collaborators at Northwestern University and Rice University to develop this resource for investors interested in supporting rising leaders in Africa and to create awareness and visibility for new innovators.

Transforming invention education to solve local and global health challenges

• Venue:  2022, Skoll World Forum 

• Summary: Along with four other panelists, I discuss my work to enhance "invention education ecosystems" to sustainably address local and global health challenges. 

• Link:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suYtUP0ooFw 

Where is the power? Solutions for small and sick newborn care in the context of power outages

• Venue:  2024, NEST360 and UNICEF Newborn Care Implementation Toolkit Series

• Summary: Along with a panel of global health and energy solutions specialists, I describe the science and application of solar energy solutions in the context of providing electricity for health centers in low-resource settings. 

• Link:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbYYSacuVOg 

The design and development of appropriate MedTech products in West and East Africa

• Venue:  2022, Worldwide University Network

• Summary: I served as a West African respresentative in a full-day workshop discussing the design, development, manufacturing, and servicing of MedTech products.

• Link: https://wun.ac.uk/article/workshop-design-development-of-appropriate-medtech-products-in-west-and-east-africa/