by Paola Moreno-Roman
In May 2025, I traveled to Iquitos, Peru to lead a hands-on Foldscope workshop for public health workers from the Gerencia Regional de Salud (GERESA) Loreto. I had the privilege of facilitating this session, which brought together science, innovation, and community health through the power of paper microscopy.
As participants arrived and took their seats, the sense of curiosity in the room steadily grew. José Luis, representing GERESA, opened the session with a warm welcome. He was followed by Penny Brou from Innovalab at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, our key local partner.
I began by introducing the Foldscope, our paper microscope designed to make science more accessible and engaging. For many participants, it was their first time assembling and using a paper microscope. The excitement was immediate and contagious.
We observed mosquito specimens collected locally, which are highly relevant to the region's public health efforts. With diseases like dengue and malaria posing ongoing threats in the Amazon, exploring these samples under the Foldscope helped bridge the gap between laboratory science and field-based action.
Other participants chose to examine water samples, leaves, and even fibers from their clothing. Each new slide revealed a hidden world and opened the door to new questions and possibilities for applying microscopy in their everyday work.
Midway through the session, Innovalab hosted a coffee break that gave everyone time to connect and share reflections. Conversations sparked around how Foldscope could support disease surveillance, health education, and outreach in remote areas. Several participants saw its potential not only for diagnosis or monitoring but also for engaging communities and sparking curiosity in local schools. It was deeply moving to witness how quickly people began to make the tool their own.
As the workshop came to a close, it was clear that the GERESA team was not only interested but genuinely creative in thinking about how Foldscope could enhance their work across the Amazon. Their commitment to serving communities in challenging and often under-resourced environments is both inspiring and humbling.
I am deeply grateful to the entire Innovalab team at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia for their partnership and trust. And to every participant who joined with open minds and curious eyes, thank you for reminding me why this work matters.
Together, we are building a future where science is truly for all.
