Season 16 Innovators
About
At just 19 years old, Emma Sleiman, a pre-medical student at the American University of Beirut (AUB), has already embarked on the exploration journey of science and innovation. Recognized as a young activist by one of the UN forums in Geneva during 2020, Emma embodies a blend of academic excellence and a passion for social impact.
Emma and her friends have been enthusiastic fans of the show for the last two years and have contemplated applying on multiple occasions. During Stars of Science season 15, a friend highlighted several innovations in her field of interest, which inspired Emma to see the potential for her own invention on the show and motivated her to apply. Her volunteering experiences have propelled her into the realm of creating impactful solutions, culminating in her current project aimed at transforming ADHD diagnosis. This invention, developed in collaboration with her team comprising a neuropsychologist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), and a software engineer based in Dubai, demonstrates Emma’s aspiration to further her contributions to neuroscience and brain health by introducing objective tools in the traditionally subjective field of psychology.
About the Project
Driven by a desire to improve the diagnosis process for ADHD, Emma's ADHD Multi-modal Classifier (Virtual Reality Tracker) is set to improve and simplify the diagnosis of ADHD. It's an accessible device that provides an objective assessment within 8 minutes with a specificity rate exceeding 70%. The technology focuses on key ADHD symptoms—attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—through engaging VR/EEG headset games that quantify cognitive and physical data for a comprehensive analysis.
Emma's project is deeply informed by her five years of volunteering experience and personal encounters with individuals struggling with developmental disabilities in Lebanon. Her invention seeks to address the challenges of traditional diagnostic methods head-on, offering a solution that is accurate, efficient, and accessible. She addresses the core issues of traditional clinical systems that remain subjective and costly.
Emma’s innovation aims to ultimately create a comprehensive VR tool that not only provides an ADHD diagnosis but also prompts individuals to check for associated symptoms, detecting other comorbidities such as depression and anxiety.
Impact
By eliminating the reliance on subjective assessments and extensive waiting periods, Emma’s invention is designed to help individuals, particularly children between the ages of 6 to 16, receive proper diagnosis and the necessary therapy, and recognize their challenges not as personal failings but as manageable conditions.
The technology aims to enhance ADHD diagnosis through clinics, adopting a B2B model to ensure those in need benefit from this innovative solution. In this manner, the ADHD Multi-Modal Classifier (VR Tracker) is set to redefine the care for ADHD through clinical partnerships.
Emma participation in Stars of Science Season 16 is not just about competing; it's about making a difference in the lives of those with ADHD and beyond, highlighting the transformative power of technology and innovation. Catering to her life-long fascination with hospitals and the intricate workings of the brain, she aims to enhance brain health understanding by innovating in neuroscience after attaining her medical degree at AUB.
Her advice to other Arab innovators is to embrace new challenges with courage and to learn from every experience as a steppingstone towards achieving their dreams.
