Nigerian Female Engineer-Kemisola Bolarinwa

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Introducing Nigerian female engineer, Kemisola Bolarinwa, the brilliant mind behind a groundbreaking innovation poised to revolutionize breast cancer detection. As the founder and CEO of Nextwear Technologies, Bolarinwa unveiled her brainchild, a smart bra designed to detect early-stage breast cancer, in February 2022. Motivated by the loss of a loved one in 2017, Bolarinwa embarked on a journey to confront breast cancer, a disease she had previously regarded with detachment. Her poignant experiences within hospital walls, witnessing the harrowing battles of women against breast cancer, ignited a fervent determination to develop a solution.

Bolarinwa’s pioneering creation garnered international recognition, with BBC Africa spotlighting her innovation. Years of relentless dedication and meticulous research culminated in the birth of the smart bra prototype in 2019. Employing nanotechnology, Bolarinwa ingeniously repurposed ultrasound technology into a compact wearable device. The smart bra leverages a Doppler ultrasound system, employing high-frequency sound waves to detect anomalies such as blood clots and heart defects within the breast tissue. This transformative approach distinguishes her invention from conventional ultrasound machines, marking a paradigm shift in breast cancer diagnostics.

Nigerian Female Engineer Kemisola Bolarinwa: Engineer, Advocate and Trailblazer in the Fight Against Breast Cancer and Gender Disparity in STEM

A picture combination of Kemisola Bolarinwa and the breast cancer detector bra she invented

Despite her remarkable achievements, Bolarinwa remains steadfast in her pursuit of perfection. Acknowledging the need for further refinement and extensive clinical trials, she anticipates mass production of the smart bra by the onset of 2023. Beyond her role as an inventor, Bolarinwa emerges as a staunch advocate for gender inclusivity in STEM fields, echoing her personal commitment to empowering women in technology.

A multifaceted luminary, Bolarinwa holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the esteemed University of Ado-Ekiti. With over a decade of experience and an unwavering passion for innovation, she epitomizes resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity. As the president of the Women In ICT Foundation, Bolarinwa champions initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap in technology, nurturing the next generation of female leaders and innovators.

Yet, Bolarinwa’s narrative underscores a pervasive challenge plaguing Nigeria’s innovation landscape: the dearth of governmental support and institutional backing for indigenous inventors. Despite the abundance of talent and ingenuity, the absence of robust support mechanisms stifles the realization of groundbreaking ideas. As Bolarinwa and her contemporaries navigate this formidable terrain, their resolve remains unshaken, driven by an unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in society.