top of page
Year: 2024

Who: Naya Ellis

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana

What: At just 14 years old, Naya Ellis, a high school freshman from New Orleans, Louisiana, has made a groundbreaking contribution to healthcare innovation with her invention, WingItt. This stroke-detecting watch is designed to monitor nerve impulses and heartbeats, offering early detection of strokes, particularly for adults aged 55 and older. Inspired by her grandmother's experience with a stroke and her own childhood support of her mother during a battle with breast cancer, Ellis combined her passion for science and her desire to help others to create this remarkable device.

WingItt stands out for its focus on affordability and practicality, targeting older adults who may not have access to expensive health-monitoring devices like smartwatches. Unlike traditional stroke detection that relies on visible signs, WingItt addresses internal symptoms, providing a more proactive and inclusive approach to stroke prevention.

Ellis’s journey began with STEM NOLA, an organization dedicated to empowering K-12 students through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) projects. Through their programs, Ellis joined an eight-month fellowship for low-income high school students of color, gaining mentorship, networking opportunities, and technical training. Her participation in STEM Saturday, a free weekend program, led to her last-minute pivot from designing a seizure-detecting watch to creating WingItt. Her innovative design earned her recognition as a National STEM Challenge champion, selected from over 2,500 applicants.

Ellis will present her invention at the inaugural National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR. As part of the program, she will receive coding training and master classes with STEM experts.

Looking ahead, Ellis aspires to become an obstetrician-gynecologist, driven by her passion for women’s health and her belief in empowering others through innovation. Her journey exemplifies how determination and creativity can change lives and inspire future generations in STEM.

Sources:

Websites:

Address

Johns Hopkins University
2800 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

Email

Connect

  • Spotify
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
bottom of page