Articles
HCC student entrepreneur and director secure $5,000 grant award at National Pitch Competition
Oct 24, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Houston Community College (HCC) student entrepreneur Talha Khan and director Ravi Brahmbhatt were awarded a $5,000 grant after being named one of six winning teams at the Ratcliff Skills for Trade Pitch Competition.
The competition, held at the National Association of Community Colleges for Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, brought together the top finalists from across the United States. Their winning pitch showcased the Automated Forensic Identification System (AFIS), a cutting-edge software solution poised to revolutionize forensic identification.
The AFIS software harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to analyze X-rays and CT scans, extracting distinctive non-metric traits and providing a statistical basis for identification. This innovative technology addresses a critical gap in the forensic field, where manual medical image comparisons are often subjective, time-consuming, and can lead to significant delays.
"Our aim is to contribute to solving the issue of unidentified decedents in the United States," Khan said. "AFIS provides a more objective and efficient method for forensic identification, ultimately helping to bring closure to families and strengthen the pursuit of justice."
Building AFIS: A Student-Driven Approach
The AFIS project will be structured as a comprehensive learning experience for HCC students. Teams of students will be guided by expert mentors from esteemed organizations, including the University of New Mexico, TiE Houston, Rice University, and SCORE Houston. Through a series of workshops titled "How to Train Your AI Model," students will gain hands-on experience in:
Annotating forensic data: Students will learn how to accurately label and prepare forensic datasets for AI model training.
Pre-processing datasets: Students will master techniques for cleaning and organizing data to ensure optimal performance of AI models.
Training AI models: Students will acquire the skills to develop and refine AI algorithms for accurate forensic identification.
This immersive, project-based learning approach will not only equip students with cutting-edge technical skills but also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration – essential qualities for success in today's workforce.
"This project exemplifies the remarkable potential of student innovation and collaborative efforts," Brahmbhatt said. "By investing in AFIS, we are not only championing the development of pioneering technology but also empowering our students to become trailblazers in the tech world."
The $5,000 grant will be utilized to fund essential equipment, software, and student training for the AFIS project. HCC has pledged to contribute additional in-kind resources and ensure the program's sustainability if it proves successful.