Indian American-Led Team Wins Health Innovation Challenge

A team of University of Washington (UW) students, led by Indian American tech lead Tejoram Vivekanandan, has secured the $15,000 grand prize at the 2025 Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge. Their groundbreaking project, Luminovah, introduces a non-invasive device designed to detect jaundice in newborns, aiming to reduce neonatal mortality rates globally.

Addressing a Critical Health Challenge

Newborn jaundice is a significant health concern, ranking as the fourth-largest cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Early detection and treatment are crucial, yet existing diagnostic tools often fall short, especially for infants with higher melanin levels in their skin. Vivekanandan highlighted this disparity, noting the difficulty in developing models that accurately identify jaundice across all skin tones. Luminovah’s technology seeks to bridge this gap, offering reliable detection for diverse populations.

Path to Implementation and Collaboration

The team is advancing towards clinical application by completing animal model testing and collaborating with Seattle Children’s Hospital for human studies. These efforts are steps toward obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Discussions with neonatal healthcare providers have underscored a strong demand for such a device. Additionally, Luminovah plans to offer rental options for parents, facilitating at-home monitoring and early intervention to prevent severe complications like brain damage.

Team Composition and Additional Accolades

Alongside Vivekanandan, the Luminovah team includes members Lillian Tran and Nana Wang. Their innovative approach not only earned them the Hollomon Family Grand Prize but also the $2,500 Naturacur Wound Healing Best Idea for a Medical Device award. Reflecting on their achievement, Tran emphasized the device’s significance and potential impact on neonatal care.

Diverse Innovations Recognized

The 2025 Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge celebrated a decade of fostering student-driven solutions to pressing health issues. This year’s competition featured a record 69 applicants from the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, with 22 teams advancing to the final round. Other notable winners included General Molecular Electronics and VISTA, both from UW, who tied for the $10,000 WRF Capital Second Place Prize. Their projects focused on genetic diagnostics for cardiovascular disease and computer vision technology for image-guided surgery, respectively. The $5,000 R1 Third Place Prize was awarded to Revyn Medical Technologies from the University of Victoria for their advancements in gynecological examination technology.

A Legacy of Impactful Innovations

Over the past decade, the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge has been a catalyst for student entrepreneurs to develop solutions addressing critical health challenges. The competition, hosted by the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship in the Foster School of Business, continues to inspire and support the next generation of innovators committed to improving global health outcomes.