Kimani Toussaint, the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives at the School of Engineering and Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Professor of Science at Brown University, has been named the International Society for Optics and Photonics’ (SPIE) 2026 awardee for Diversity Outreach. Toussaint is the seventh recipient of the annual award, which originated in 2020, for work promoting diversity in the education, training and participation of people in optics and photonics.
Toussaint was recognized for his promotion of inclusion, diversity, and equity in the development of biomedical diagnostics, in optics research and mentoring, and in public outreach and awareness.
“It’s a real honor to be recognized for this award, which fundamentally acknowledges that diversity and inclusion are major engines for scientific and technological innovation,” Toussaint said.
His PROBE lab at Brown University has developed a novel photoplethysmography (PPG) technique that leverages optical polarization for more accurate estimates of blood oxygen. PPG is an optical technique that monitors blood oxygen saturation levels, typically through the use of pulse oximeters. Conventional pulse oximetry has been found to overestimate blood oxygen for individuals with appreciable amounts of melanin in their skin, and as a result, those with darker skin tones are close to three times more likely to suffer from silent hypoxia. Toussaint’s innovation is a potential solution to this prevalent problem for people of color in health care delivery.
SPIE brings together engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals to advance light-based science and technology. Toussaint will be honored at the SPIE Society Awards Banquet in conjunction with the August 2026 Optics + Photonics Conference in San Diego, Calif. He is featured on the SPIE website with the announcement of the award.