Asad Aslam, who completed an MSc in Biomedical Engineering at Queen Mary in 2016, has been awarded the British Council Study UK Alumni Award for Business and Innovation. The awarding committee commended his work, noting that “his innovation will help reduce mortality, and currently serves 15,950 preterm babies.”

Since graduating, Asad has forged a remarkable career as a Biomedical Engineer, co-founding a startup in Pakistan that uses AI to develop advanced neonatal incubators. His work also focuses on expanding green technology to lower and middle-income countries and conflict-affected regions, with potential support from the UN.

“We are planning to use solar panels and other energy resources in the rural areas where electricity is a major issue,” says Asad.

“Our products also use LED ultraviolet light in our phototherapy lights system, to lower the energy needs and temperature control.”

The incubators are produced locally, reducing transport emissions and supporting local industry. Designed for longevity, the products are easily repaired and upgraded and can be controlled through apps, making them both practical and sustainable.

Asad credits his time at Queen Mary for inspiring him, saying: "The time that I spent studying at Queen Mary changed my perspective and thinking about my life. I learnt leadership skills and developed the idea for my start-up whilst studying there."

We spoke to Asad about his other memories of Queen Mary and his career so far.