Other Projects
MIT Grand Hack 2025 Google Prize Winner
On the Transformative Intelligence track at MIT Grand Hack 2025, our team, Atenas Diagnostics, set out to tackle a critical healthcare challenge: using deep learning and computer vision to support early detection of oral cancer.
Oral cancer often goes undetected in under-resourced communities until it's too late. We wanted to change that. By leveraging Google’s HAI-DEF models, we built a solution that aims to improve accessibility and accuracy in early diagnosis—bringing much-needed support to areas that need it most.
The hackathon experience was intense—nonstop ideation, prototyping, and iteration—but I thrive in that environment. Working alongside such a sharp and dedicated team made the grind worthwhile, and the energy from everyone at the event was truly inspiring.
To cap it all off, we won the Google Challenge! 🎉
It still hasn’t fully sunk in.
This win reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: AI has massive potential in healthcare—not just in innovation, but in equity.
Grateful for this opportunity, for my team, and for the chance to build something with real-world impact. Excited to keep pushing forward. 💪
MIT Reality Hack 2025 AGOG LA Emergency Response Track Grand Prize Winner!
🎉 Proud to share that our team won the 2025 MIT Reality Hack in the LA Fire Emergency Response track! 🎉
Huge thanks to our sponsor Agog, the MIT Media Lab, MIT Reality Hack (co-organized by Reality Hack, Inc. and VR/AR MIT), and Sultan Sharrief for making this incredible 4-day journey possible.
Our project, Memoverse, is a web-based AR experience that lets users revisit 3D scans of lost sites before the fire and preserve their memories with personal stories, images, and videos. It’s designed to offer a space for healing—digitally rebuilding the emotional fabric of the communities affected by natural disasters like the LA fires.
Throughout the hackathon, our team constantly asked:
🔹 How can XR help in a disaster?
While tangible needs are immediate during a disaster, we realized the emotional aftermath—especially memory—was an underserved area. Thanks to Liuchuan Yu’s insight, we leaned into the power of memory as a form of resilience. We discovered grief was multilingual, global, and deeply personal—even for those no longer living in LA.
🔹 Homes or public spaces?
I advocated for focusing on public memory—places like parks, beaches, and familiar streets. These are often neglected in recovery efforts, yet hold deep meaning for countless people. By capturing and sharing these shared spaces, we can offer a platform for collective healing.
🔹 What kind of XR is most accessible?
To maximize impact, we built Memoverse as a web AR tool—no app, no headset, just a smartphone. That choice ensures it’s available to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Diet Vision Wins 3rd Place! 🏆
We’re thrilled to announce our victory at the recent hackathon, where Diet Vision claimed 3rd place! Diet Vision is our groundbreaking tool that redefines calorie tracking through automated logging with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), providing new ways to combat obesity and enhance health management.
What Sets Diet Vision Apart:
- Seamless Connectivity: Bluetooth LE syncing with CGMs
- Real-time Recognition: Computer vision to instantly identify foods
- Automated Tracking: Instant nutrient and calorie tracking, no manual entry needed
Technology Stack:
- Hardware: Raspberry Pi Zero prototype paired with Libre 2 CGM
- Backend: Flask server and Nvidia Triton Inference Server for scalable AI
- ML Pipeline: ONNX models for streamlined interoperability
- Computer Vision: Powered by OpenCV, TensorFlow, and Keras for precision image processing
- Embedded Systems: MicroPython on a custom PCB (upcoming)
Roadmap and Vision:
- Miniaturization: Custom PCB for a more compact device
- Enhanced Accuracy: Advanced ML models for improved food recognition
- B2B Opportunities: Integration with major CGMs, e.g., Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
- Privacy First: Future implementation of federated learning for secure model updates
Market Potential:
- Targeting a $70 billion market, beginning with the 422 million individuals living with diabetes
- B2C launch strategy with B2B partnerships in the pipeline
Next Steps: FDA approval, a crowdfunding launch, and rapid scaling to bring Diet Vision to more users.
Check out our press release here and share your thoughts—what feature would you like to see in smart calorie-tracking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us5uuHK-qLk
Veterans Affairs MIT Hacking Medicine Hackathon: Team AIHR Takes 3rd Place!
We had the honor of participating in the first-ever Veterans Affairs MIT Hacking Medicine Hackathon, where our team, AIHR, built a groundbreaking AI tool that accelerates the hiring process by more than three weeks. In just 48 hours, we developed a working proof of concept that has the potential to make a meaningful impact in the hiring process at the VA.
About Our Solution: Our AI-driven solution is designed to optimize the hiring timeline, potentially saving the VA a month in processing time, leading to faster placements and enhanced efficiency in critical hiring practices.
Special Thanks: A heartfelt thank you to Indra Sandal, PhD, MBA, and Veronica Herst for their invaluable insights into the VA’s processes, which were instrumental in shaping our approach. Additionally, we appreciate the guidance of over two dozen mentors who supported us, especially Ryan Holt and the Microsoft help desk team, who dedicated countless hours helping us with Microsoft Azure troubleshooting.
Stay tuned as we further develop this promising project in the upcoming Makerthon!
GrandHack Success: Diapatch Wins 3rd Place! 🏅
A Design-Centric Approach:
Unlike traditional hackathons, GrandHack emphasized a design-first mindset, challenging us to dive deep into understanding our stakeholders. We asked:
- Who are our end-users?
- What specific challenges do they encounter?
- How can Diapatch be tailored to meet their unique needs?
Reflections on the Experience:
This hackathon was a powerful reminder of the importance of thoughtful design and the value of collaborating with a diverse, multidisciplinary team. I’m more motivated than ever to approach future challenges with renewed creativity and empathy for users.
Looking forward to the next big idea!