Automation, artificial intelligence and critical healthcare solutions took center stage at the 2025 Science and Technology Showcase (STS). Among the 18 finalist teams, three groups of Master of Applied Bioengineering (MAB) students—VenoSense, SeptaCain and Cliinica—stood out for their innovative work in medical diagnostics, therapeutics and healthcare automation.

The 2025 STS, co-hosted by the UW Science and Engineering Business Association (SEBA) and the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, saw a record 42 applications, culminating in a showcase with 18 finalist teams. A total of $6,000 in prizes—the highest in STS history—was awarded. The competition provided an invaluable opportunity for student innovators to gain feedback from Seattle-area entrepreneurs and investors, helping them refine their work for future commercialization.

VenoSense, composed of MAB students Kirandip Walia, Justus Brown and Cynthia Sainz, is tackling the challenge of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detection. Their project—a machine-learning-enhanced ultrasound system—aims to streamline the diagnostic process, improving accessibility and increasing automation while reducing costs. Their efforts were recognized with the $750 Davis Wright Tremaine Third Place Prize and the $250 Best Poster Prize.

VenoSense will also be competing in the upcoming Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge.

SeptaCain: A New Approach to Combating Sepsis

Septic infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA, pose a major global health challenge. The team behind SeptaCain—MAB students Shahd Linjawi, Paige DeOra and Li Xiaoya—has developed an herbal therapeutic drug to target sepsis pathogens. Their novel approach represents a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics, addressing a growing need for new infection-fighting treatments.

Cliinica: Automating Patient Journey Management

The healthcare system faces ongoing challenges in efficiency and patient management, which Cliinica aims to address. MAB students Georgia Witchel, Kayleen Garcia and Shuyi Huang are developing a software suite that automates key patient journey processes. Their innovation is designed to improve efficiency, reduce referral leakage—which occurs when patients leave a hospital’s network in favor of out-of-network providers—and integrate AI-driven solutions to enhance patient care. By streamlining these processes, Cliinica’s technology has the potential to make a significant impact in healthcare administration.

To learn more about the STS and the other 15 competing teams, read the Buerk Center’s full article.

Looking ahead: Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge

The UW Buerk Center has also announced the finalists for the upcoming Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (HHIC). In this annual competition, teams of students pitch a product, service or process designed to address a major global healthcare challenge. The proposals are then judged by a panel of investors, entrepreneurs and healthcare providers, who provide constructive feedback to help the teams adapt and advance their projects. This year’s HHIC cohort is composed of 22 finalist teams and one alternate, including 7 teams featuring UW Bioengineering students.

Learn more about the HHIC and all 22 competing teams on the Buerk Center’s blog.

In addition to Team VenoSense, Bioengineering students contributed to the following projects:

EnviroTect
EnviroTect aims to create a device that filters volatile gases exhaled during surgical procedures before they are released into the environment.

• UW (Bioengineering)

LegUp Prosthetics
LegUp Prosthetics is developing an adjustable, transtibial prosthetic and corresponding diagnostic system to help patients navigate poor healthcare infrastructure and reduce their financial burden.

• UW (Bioengineering, Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry)

Lymphatix
Lymphatix is designing a minimally invasive device to restore normal function for heart failure patients by reducing fluid buildup due to heart and lymphatic failures.

• UW (Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering)

Polymer Pal
Polymer Pal is developing a device to reduce the number of corrective surgeries in people living with hydrocephalus by preventing shunt blockage, the main cause of mechanical shunt failure.

• UW (Bioengineering)

Root Sense
Root Sense is developing a way for clinicians to address the need for rapid and reliable root canal cleanliness, so success rates increase and the reliance on clinician expertise is reduced.

• UW (Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering)

SoundCheck
SoundCheck is developing an app designed to assist clinics and address health inequality in low-income countries by ensuring the quality of ultrasound equipment for accurate cancer diagnoses.

• UW (Bioengineering)

Good luck to all of the teams as they progress to the final round of the HHIC, which will be held on Thursday, March 6th.