The intention behind this  Project

Inspired by my late uncle’s brave battle with Parkinson’s disease, I have a vision of using new technology to transform the lives of millions of people who struggle with this condition. My uncle’s dementia had created a deep chasm in our close bond. As his condition worsened, I saw the essence of the smart, vibrant man I once knew disappear. His disease progressed to the point where he wasn’t able to remember who I was. Accepting that my uncle would gradually forget who I am was devastating; However, the true tragedy came when I realized he would not remember the events in his life that made him the role model I looked up to. Almost five decades ago, my uncle founded The Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital in Chittagong, Bangladesh, as a means of providing healthcare to the impoverished in the region. He told me stories of how it started in 1973 as a two-room clinic with a lack of funding, and blossomed into a successful medical school and hospital by 2005. His motto: service over self. Whenever my Nana looked back at his accomplishments with the hospital, he could see the impact he had on the lives of multiple families over multiple generations as he created an institution that could sustain itself. While my Nana may not be here today, the communities he helped will never forget the impact he had on them. The sense of accomplishment I saw in my Nana motivated me to serve my own community so that I can feel just as rewarded. This passion to help people, that my uncle has instilled in me, is one I hope to serve through a future career in computer science. I have already worked with the University of Southern California to create an algorithm that uses MRI scans to detect signs of Parkinson’s disease in the brain early on before the disease progresses. In the future, I hope to help prevent the effects of Parkinson’s disease that many individuals like my uncle have suffered from. Additionally, I’ve learned from my uncle that it is crucial for me to be able to reflect on my life when I’m his age and feel as though I’ve made a positive difference in the world and the lives of others.

My goal is not merely to create software; it’s to create hope, awareness, and change. By developing a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis program, I believe I can contribute to a healthier, more compassionate world—one where individuals face challenges with resilience and where progress is measured in lives improved. 🌎✨