About

Our Story

Rapidemia was founded in 2023 by Collin Smith, a clinical researcher who saw first-hand how inaccessible scientific literature can be.

Determined to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the wider world, Collin set out to make academic journals usable for everyone. What started as a personal frustration grew into a mission: to create a more scientifically literate society by delivering research 'the way you can read it, and without the superiority complex'.

"I spent countless hours struggling through dense research papers during my literature review. I realized if someone with my background was having trouble, imagine how impossible this must be for students and curious minds everywhere. That's when I knew we needed to change how science is received."
— Collin Smith, Founder & CEO

Collin Smith

Founder & CEO

Clinical Researcher turned EdTech Entrepreneur

Science Without the Superiority Complex

Our guiding principle that drives everything we do

We believe advanced science should not be gated behind complex jargon. Our mission is to democratize access to academic research, allowing students, educators, and lifelong learners to engage with cutting-edge science directly.

Every breakthrough, every discovery, every piece of research has the potential to inspire and educate - but only if it's accessible. We're removing the barriers that have traditionally separated the scientific community from curious minds everywhere.

Accessibility First

Making complex research understandable for everyone, regardless of background.

No Jargon Barriers

Clear, plain language summaries that preserve scientific accuracy.

Time Efficient

Hours of reading condensed into minutes of clear understanding.

Our Team

We are a team of educators, researchers, and technologists based in Virginia Beach, VA, passionate about removing barriers to knowledge. Our diverse backgrounds, from clinical research to software engineering, fuel our commitment to make research accessible and engaging for all.

Team Members

2023

Founded

250,000+

Papers Processed

Based in Virginia

Ready to Experience Science Without the Complexity?

Join thousands of students, researchers, and lifelong learners who are discovering research the way it should be - clear, accessible, and engaging.

Try Rapidemia Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rapidemia and how does it work?

Rapidemia is an AI-driven reading platform that transforms peer-reviewed research papers into concise, structured digests. Each digest preserves the paper’s terminology, methodology, citations, and data links - giving readers a clear entry point before they engage with the full article.

Why is it helpful for students?

Rapidemia gives students a first-pass understanding of complex literature, so they can decide which papers merit deep reading. By highlighting key findings and retaining original terminology, the platform accelerates comprehension without sacrificing rigor - freeing up study time for analysis and discussion.

Does Rapidemia replace reading the original paper?

Not at all. Rapidemia is a comprehension accelerator, not a substitute for primary literature. Each digest gives readers a fast grasp of a paper’s structure and significance, while the full article (linked directly in Rapidemia) remains the authoritative source for deep analysis, critique, and citation.

The digests help scholars decide which papers truly match their research question, so they spend time reading the right articles, not wading through the wrong ones.

Is Rapidemia available for schools, universities and institutions?

Yes, Rapidemia offers a range of subscription options suitable for schools, universities, and institutions. We believe in democratizing access to academic knowledge, and our institutional packages provide access to our comprehensive platform for all students, faculty, and staff. For details on these packages, please contact our team.

Is Rapidemia FERPA-compliant and secure?

Yes. We handle student data under FERPA guidelines and follow security controls equivalent to SOC 2. All data are encrypted in transit and at rest, and institutions can request a full security questionnaire.

How does Rapidemia integrate with campus systems?

• Single Sign-On (SSO) via SAML or OpenID.
• LMS-ready embed codes (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle).
• IP and EZproxy options for library databases.
• Admin dashboard with real-time usage analytics.

Can educators control or curate content?

Yes. Faculty or librarians can: 1) restrict which papers students see, 2) create reading lists, and 3) monitor cohort usage. Dashboards surface engagement stats to inform instruction and collection development.

What does a pilot look like for a university?

We recommend an 8-week pilot in one STEM course or research-methods seminar.
• Setup: ≤ 1 hour (SSO + user import).
• Faculty toolkit: syllabus templates and assessment rubrics.
• Outcomes: comprehension scores, reading-time savings, and student feedback survey.
Contact us to schedule a start date.

About Rapidemia

Rapidemia by the numbers

Academic journal articles

Cost to get started

Scientific Literacy