About Andrew Monk

I am the CEO of based UK startup ioLight. We make the only pocket microscope that can capture and share images of cells from the screen of your mobile phone.

I joined WildHub because conservationists globally find that a microscope that can travel anywhere that they can is now an essential part of their gear. The microscope allows you to make instant decisions in the field. It has been used in The Arctic, The Amazon, The Antarctic, and Mount Everest. Most of our microscopes are exported, with 50% sold in the USA.

We hope to connect with field ecologists, particularly those interested in citizen science. We can help you collect large volumes of rich data quickly and inexpensively.

We are looking forward to learning how you want to view microscopic subjects and to help make your field work faster and simpler.

I look forward to meeting you.

Which category below best describes the type of organisation you currently work for/or run?

Private-sector company or business

Areas of expertise

Other Species Management

Would you be willing to be approached and share your lessons learned in your area(s) of expertise with our community?

Yes

Would you like to be added to the calendar invitation for our monthly WildHub Socials?

Unsure, I would like more information about these socials

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Introduction to ioLight portable microscopes

Andrew Monk

Feb 06, 2024

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Andrew Monk

Feb 14, 2024

Collaborate and help others

Harmful Algal Blooms HABs near you?

Have you seen anything like this? Fish kill caused by Harmful Algal Blooms. Thank you to everybody who responded to my introduction post. I thought you might like to know a little more about our work, and I want to ask for your help, please. The distressing image above shows large numbers of fish that have been killed by green slime that looks like algae. In fact, this green slime is cyanobacteria, a photosynthetic bacteria that can produce toxins. Genera include Microcystis, Diolichspermum, Aphanizomenon and others. Under certain circumstances, which are not yet fully understood, cyanobacteria can produce strong toxins such as microcystin, killing fish, waterbirds, livestock, dogs and, potentially, people. The only reliable way to tell cyanobacteria from beneficial algae is to observe the colonies under a microscope. This means sending a water sample to a lab, which typically takes at least five days. After five days, the damage is done. Some authorities close the lake, which damages fishing and other businesses based on the lake; others keep the lake open, risking sickness, rashes, diarrhoea and worse. ioLight's portable microscope and image recognition software automatically diagnose cyanobacteria and count cells at the lake in a couple of minutes. This allows authorities to make the correct decision quickly and inexpensively. Cyanobacteria are naturally occurring and have been on Earth for millions of years. However, modern intensive farming and human waste discharge caused by growth in population density has increased the discharge of phosphorus into lakes and rivers, accelerating the growth of cyanobacteria. This is a well-publicised problem in the USA, where it is estimated that HABs have cost the economy over a Billion Dollars over ten years. We have similar problems in the UK with beautiful lakes such as Lough Neagh. How can you help? I would like to know how widespread this problem is. Is it restricted to densely populated areas of the UK and North America, or is this a global problem? I would love to hear your stories. Thank you Andrew

7 responses

Recent Comments

Comment on Unlocking Nature's Secrets with Portable Microscopy - Insights from ioLight

Andrew Monk

Mar 18, 2024

Thank you @Ussi Abuu Mnamengi and @Thirza Loffeld

Comment on Unlocking Nature's Secrets with Portable Microscopy - Insights from ioLight

Andrew Monk

Mar 13, 2024

Thank you, @Thirza Loffeld Loffeld. That is a great question. If Wild Hub can help me connect to environmental researchers working in the field, we can help you carry a good-quality microscope wherever you go, even on aircraft flights. The Everest Expedition is a perfect example. They spent many years looking for a microscope that they could carry up to 5000m. Those images that Dr Seimon got from protozoa under the ice are not something you could do with an expensive lab microscope. This is not a commercial website, but we can offer a discount to Wild Hub members buying ioLight products.

Comment on Introduction to ioLight portable microscopes

Andrew Monk

Feb 13, 2024

Hi @Thirza Loffeld thank you for your welcome. I met @Adam Barlow through a mutual friend, and Adam suggested that I look at WilldHub. Thank you, Adam.

I have a Masters degree in Physics from Oxford University. I was told to give up biology at school (despite being top of the year) because Physicists need Chemistry, not Biology. That was the worst advice I ever had!! Richard and I founded ioLight in 2014, and I am very much enjoying the Biology I should have done 40 years ago!

We passionately believe that biologists, especially ecologists, need a good quality microscope in their pockets. Samples always deteriorate on the way back to the lab, and often, you cannot remove them from the site. Our microscope images your samples on your phone so you can share them instantly, just like any other photo.

Happy to demonstrate how to fit a microscope in your pocket if anyone is interested.

Andrew

Comment on Introduction to ioLight portable microscopes

Andrew Monk

Feb 09, 2024

Hello @Grace Alawa and thank you for your comment. We submitted a joint project for COVID detection with Kenya Medical Research Institute and Oxford University and The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust has used our products for several years. We did a veterinary trial in Uganda and African Parks also has one of our microscopes. We would like to do more in Africa. The remoteness of some locations and limited budgets make ioLight a great research tool. Our users particularly like the battery power for areas where the mains supply is unreliable and the good wireless networks make it easy to share data.