Success Stories
“Stars of Science not only provided a platform to showcase my invention but also equipped me with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of innovation and entrepreneurship. This foundation has been instrumental in my professional journey and the launch of DalilDZ” says Abderrahmane Khiat about his participation in Stars of Science season 13.
Project & Impact
Abderrahmane, a native of Algeria with a rich background in science, has always been driven by his passion for data and robotics. He has pursued an illustrious academic and research career, from winning the Youngest Researcher Award during his studies in Algeria to becoming a project leader in Germany. Inspired by Mohammed Doumir, a previous winner on "Stars of Science," Abderrahmane decided to tackle a critical health issue: snake bites.
Annually, snake bites result in up to 138,000 deaths and three times as many serious injuries, including amputations, particularly in rural regions of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Traditional treatment for snake bites involves identifying the snake species to administer the correct antivenom—a process fraught with delays and potential errors due to the need for specific blood tests and the physical distance from medical facilities.
Abderrahmane's project introduces a revolutionary Diagnostic Tool that accelerates this process by using a device to monitor the victim’s vital signs and a mobile application for entering bite location and visual details. This tool, connected to a comprehensive database, quickly predicts the snake type involved, guiding healthcare professionals to prepare the appropriate antivenom swiftly. This innovation not only enhances the speed and accuracy of snake bite responses but significantly mitigates the risk of fatalities and permanent disabilities by ensuring timely and precise medical intervention.
The Aftermath of SOS
Abderrahmane, currently the Team Lead at Fraunhofer IAIS, a premier European institute for applied research, has significantly advanced his professional activities since his participation in Stars of Science 2021. Beyond his role at Fraunhofer, Abderrahmane co-founded DalilDZ with Dr. Khaoula Rima Chaabna, a fellow Stars of Science alumnus. DalilDZ aims to empower the next generation of innovators by providing comprehensive mentorship programs that guide young minds from concept development to market readiness, inspired by their experiences at Stars of Science. Abderrahmane is actively refining his Stars of Science invention, "AntiBite: A Diagnostic Tool to Predict Venom Type from Bite and Victim's Vital Signs," with the patenting process underway. Additionally, he has developed a new technology, "Assessing Driving Quality and Recklessness Using Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Driver's Body Movements," which is also in the patenting process at Fraunhofer IAIS. His commitment to research continues as he supervises PhD students and co-authors significant research papers, including "Accelerating Queries on Distributed Data Using Machine Learning" published in Data Intelligence (2023), and presentations at prestigious conferences like DEXA 2024 and ESWC 2024. Abderrahmane's work exemplifies a blend of leadership, innovation, and academic contribution, driven by his passion for scientific advancement and mentorship.
