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== Rebecca Richards-Kortum ==

'''Rebecca Richards-Kortum''' (pronunciation: reh-BEH-kah RIH-chards KOR-tum) is an American [[biomedical engineer]] and [[educator]] known for her work in [[biomedical optics]] and its application in global health. 

=== Etymology ===

The name "Rebecca" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "to bind or tie". The surname "Richards" is of English origin, meaning "powerful or brave ruler". The surname "Kortum" is of German origin, meaning "short".

=== Biography ===

Rebecca Richards-Kortum was born in [[Nebraska]], United States. She completed her undergraduate studies in [[Physics]] and [[Mathematics]] at the [[University of Nebraska]], and later earned her master's and doctorate degrees in [[Medical Physics]] from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT).

Richards-Kortum's research focuses on developing low-cost, high-performance technology for low-resource settings. She is the Malcolm Gillis University Professor of [[Bioengineering]] at [[Rice University]], where she also directs the Rice 360° Institute for Global Health.

=== Contributions ===

Richards-Kortum has made significant contributions to the field of [[biomedical engineering]], particularly in the development of portable imaging systems to improve early detection of [[cervical cancer]] and [[oral cancer]]. She has also worked on developing technologies for neonatal and pediatric care in low-resource settings.

=== Awards and Honors ===

Richards-Kortum is a member of the [[National Academy of Engineering]], the [[National Academy of Sciences]], and the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]]. She is also a fellow of the [[American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering]] and the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]].

In 2016, she was awarded a [[MacArthur Fellowship]], also known as the "genius grant", for her innovative work in global health technology.

=== Related Terms ===

* [[Biomedical Engineering]]
* [[Biomedical Optics]]
* [[Global Health]]
* [[Cervical Cancer]]
* [[Oral Cancer]]

[[Category:Biomedical Engineers]]
[[Category:Educators]]
[[Category:Women in Engineering]]
[[Category:MacArthur Fellows]]

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