Samuel McDermott

Papers

Total Citations

202

H-Index

About

Samuel McDermott is a pioneer in open-source scientific instrumentation, with his work centered on democratizing high-performance microscopy for global health and research. His major contribution is the development of the OpenFlexure Microscope, a fully 3D-printable, robotic microscope designed to overcome the prohibitive costs of traditional equipment. This innovation enables automated, high-resolution imaging in low-resource settings, from malaria diagnosis in rural clinics to water quality analysis in the field. His foundational 2020 paper, "Robotic microscopy for everyone: the OpenFlexure microscope," has garnered 179 citations, reflecting its transformative impact on accessible science. By combining precision 3D printing with open-source software, McDermott has empowered researchers and clinicians worldwide to build, customize, and repair their own microscopes, drastically reducing dependency on expensive proprietary systems. His work exemplifies how engineering ingenuity can bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and underserved communities, making him a leading figure in the open-source hardware movement and a key advocate for equitable access to scientific tools.