Kai Akinloye-Brown

Kai Akinloye-Brown is a graduate student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology. With experience in both research and translational applications, Kai is focused on advancing solutions that address neonatal opioid exposure, a critical and growing public health issue. Their project centers on developing a reliable, rapid, and non-invasive diagnostic device to identify opioid exposure in newborns before withdrawal symptoms emerge. Using machine learning algorithms to analyze vital signs such as heart rate and respiration, the device provides clinicians with an objective measure that supports earlier intervention and treatment. By enabling timely detection, the innovation aims to improve outcomes, reduce hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs associated with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. If scaled, this technology could enhance care delivery in neonatal units and provide families with more immediate support. As part of the I4SUD 2025 cohort, Kai is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable newborns through innovative medical technology.