STEM-In-Action Fall Follow-Up: NanoGenuity

Welcome to our final STEM-In-Action Grant Fall Follow Up, where we check in with our 2023-2024 STEM-In-Action Grant winners to see what they've accomplished since NJ&EE! If you're new to the STEM-In-Action Grant program, the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) awards five STEM-In-Action Grants of up to $5,000 to eCYBERMISSION Regional Finalist teams wishing to further develop and implement their projects in their communities. For our final update until the spring, we're checking in with team NanoGenuity.

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Team NanoGenuity consists of emerging freshman innovators, Harini Arumalla and Rushi Bansal, based in suburban Atlanta, located in the city of Suwanee. Arumalla and Bansal became close friends at the beginning of their middle school career, bonding with the sorrow of Alzheimer’s disease marking loved lives, with a shared passion and determination towards Alzheimer’s disease. The students are both inclined towards the neurological branch of medicine, though are active in a plethora of extracurricular activities, shaping their individuality. Bansal is a Science Fair and Biology Olympiad competitor, along with competing in Debate tournaments, Robotics FRC competitions, and the annual NASA App Development event. She enjoys playing competitive Cricket with Arumalla, representing her high school at various tournaments, along with Track and Field. Harini Arumalla is a Varsity Biology Olympiad member, Model United Nations speaker and Robotics Mechanical Engineer for Lambert High School. Arumalla and Bansal began their eCYBERMISSION journey in 7th grade, introduced to it through their biology teacher, who recommended the students to explore their passions through the eCYBERMISSION platform. We continued our journey throughout the years, using our experiences to build upon, leading to our goals coming to life, with the STEM-In-Action Grant.

In our society, Alzheimer's disease is a common issue that has an impact on individuals, families, and the healthcare system. Patients with Alzheimer's disease see a significant decline in their quality of life as their cognitive functions, especially memory, deteriorate with time. As they navigate the difficulties of providing care and assistance for their loved ones, caregivers incur significant financial, medical, and psychological costs. Thus, the objective of the eCYBERMISSION project is to explore new avenues for treating Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on developing a non-invasive electrical stimulation headgear that targets the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The primary goal of our initiative is to use state-of-the-art neuroscience and technology to revolutionize Alzheimer's care. Targeting the vagus nerve, a key modulator of memory, specifically will help us alter neuronal activity, enhance neuroplasticity, and reduce neuroinflammation. In addition to reducing the symptoms of the illness, this novel approach attempts to improve the overall quality of life for Alzheimer's patients. By taking this direct approach to a pressing problem in our society, the project relieves caregiver burden and offers hope to people coping with Alzheimer's.

The significance of our eCYBERMISSION study extends beyond providing immediate symptom relief. Our innovative strategy aims to reduce the financial strain on the healthcare system in our community by potentially reducing the need for substantial and costly long-term care. Furthermore, by promoting increased social participation among individuals with Alzheimer's and the caregivers who support them, the project contributes to the development of a more inclusive and active community. Essentially, the eCYBERMISSION program seeks to address a critical issue in our community by offering a holistic and transformative approach to Alzheimer's therapy, ultimately benefiting individuals, families, and society at large.

The NanoGenuity headset works by stimulating the vagus nerve, which modifies brain activity, increases neuroplasticity, and decreases neuroinflammation, all of which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The headset uses nanotechnology to provide precise and personalized stimulation parameters, ensuring both safety and efficacy. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve was selected as the target, allowing for a less intrusive procedure that may lessen side effects and enhance user compliance. The groundbreaking concept of NanoGenuity arises from the urgent need for more effective treatments for Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease with far-reaching consequences for individuals, caregivers, and society.

The development of this non-invasive electrical stimulation headset aligns with the greater goal of improving Alzheimer's treatment by offering a holistic and revolutionary approach. Traditional Alzheimer's care practices usually result in considerable financial constraints for healthcare systems and emotional burden on caregivers. The NanoGenuity project aims to solve these challenges by potentially reducing the need for extensive and expensive long-term care. Furthermore, the headgear has the potential to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients by allowing them to actively participate in social and community activities. 

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We are so impressed by NanoGenuity's decision to tackle such an important problem. Their professionalism is astounding! We can't wait to catch back up with them this spring. 

eCYBERMISSION registration for the 2024-2025 competition year is open at www.ecybermission.com/register. 

Faith Benner

AEOP Sr. Communications and Marketing Specialist