FISH Signature Event
72 hours. Real prototypes. Here is how it ended.
Final Ceremony
Ceremony video coming soon.
Winners
MicroAire Innovation Award
STEP SENSE
A shoe- and ankle-mounted device that gives audio and visual cues to show depth, helping people with impaired depth perception from neurodegenerative disease avoid falls on stairs and uneven ground. Parts cost about $24–26.
Quynh-Chi Phan, Mikaela Nowinski, Laura Kelly, Miles Swenson, Misha Romanov, Risad Ilham
1st Place
The Wopper: A (Wo)bble St(opper)
A customizable, universal adapter that attaches to everyday tools like utensils, pens and brushes. A spring mechanism dampens tremor and a planetary gear lock holds the tool at the angle the user needs. Material cost is about $5.
Audrey Ghorbani, Josalin Wang, Brandon Wang, Vera Barker
2nd Place
The ScrubMate
A handheld scrubber for people with Parkinson’s tremors who struggle to wash their hair. It has mechanical bristles, wrist stabilization, a curved comfortable shape and an easy-to-press button, so showering stays independent.
Eliza Warren, Sibel Mehmed, Josephine Shipper, Charlotte Lim
3rd Place
E.A.S.E. (External Achilles Stimulation Electronic device)
A low-profile heel insert that fits in everyday sneakers. A small motor gives a vibration cue near the Achilles tendon to help with freezing of gait, with timing and strength set in a companion app. Prototype cost is $29–59, against $499–650 for competing devices.
Macbel Yacob, Evan Daniel, Emelia Catahan, Diya Patel, Jordan Izaguirre
2026 Partners
The Jefferson Trust
MicroAire
Coulter Center
UVA Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
UVA Biomedical Engineering
UVA Experiential Learning Program
UVA Parents Program
UVA First Year Engineering