Addressing the stark divide in healthcare between rich and poor in his homeland compelled Nigerian medical doctor Elvis Chidi-Ezeama (MEng(Biomed) ’22) to do more – so he travelled to Australia in 2019, to study and obtain a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering.
He set about this task with a clear goal: to learn how to develop affordable medical devices that could make essential healthcare accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
“I wanted to solve specific problems that I was seeing as a doctor, and malaria in Nigeria is a very big problem,” says Dr Chidi-Ezeama. “However, when I announced that I wanted to become an engineer to solve this problem – and being an engineer is something I had always wanted to do – I was told by many people to forget that and just keep concentrating on what I had already achieved as a doctor.
“For me, it wasn’t enough. I had to pursue this larger idea. It was a decision that would either prove to be wonderful, or very stupid – so, I felt that I had absolutely nothing to lose.”
As part of his Master of Engineering degree at Flinders University, he focused on developing low-cost, AI-powered diagnostic devices that could improve healthcare access in remote and poorly-resourced regions.
His background in medicine gave Dr Chidi-Ezeama a unique clinical insight that brought new clarity to engineering tasks that ultimately created equitable healthcare solutions that are both practical and life-changing.
His Masters research project – “Reinventing the Microscope: Design and Development of a Low-Cost, Portable, Automated and Smart Digital Microscopy Device for Malaria Detection” – has now formed the basis of a burgeoning business venture.
After graduating, Dr Chidi-Ezeama collaborated with his friend David Butler, a machine learning expert, to establish Biomicrology to commercialise Biochrome, the device he designed to improve malaria diagnosis.
Biochrome is an AI-powered point-of-care microscopy device tailored to malaria
diagnosis in resource-poor and endemic regions. With its advanced algorithms, Biochrome delivers lab-grade results within minutes, enabling reliable, swift and instant treatment.
“It wasn’t just a matter of importing an expensive machine from a first-world country that was going to solve the malaria problems in Nigeria,” explains Dr Chidi-Ezeama. “They have malaria screening tests that are fast and cheap but very unreliable; the very expensive but reliable option is out of reach of most people, in a country where there is only about one doctor for every 10,000 people.
“The device I wanted to engineer had to be affordable, portable and not need highly skilled personnel to operate effectively, so that it can be distributed far into the community and used extensively.
“For me, this has been so much more than an academic exercise. I know this can have a far-reaching effect and change people’s lives.”
During his studies, Elvis was awarded the StudyAdelaide International Student of the Year and the 2022 Academic Excellence: Postgraduate (coursework) Award.
For his inspiring list of achievements and energetic drive to introduce positive change, Dr Chidi-Ezeama is also a 2025 InDaily 40 Under 40 recipient, celebrating the most dynamic young individuals in South Australia who are making a difference.
This reaches far beyond Dr Chidi-Ezeama’s academic and entrepreneurial achievements, as he is equally committed to serving the community. He works as a disability support worker and volunteered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) during South Australia’s devastating 2019-20 bushfires. He is still an active ADRA volunteer, helping each week to distribute food items to individuals and families in need.
He is an accomplished concert violinist – and while he no longer has the time to perform concerts, as he did during his student years, he still enjoys playing the violin each Saturday in church.
“There are only so many hours in each day – and I feel that I am already filling them. But I am using these hours wisely. I am truly living my best life.”
Dr Chidozie (Elvis) Chidi-Ezeama has been awarded a 2025 Early Career Alumni Award for his significant contributions to creating equitable healthcare solutions.