Local high school innovator named Conrad Innovator for developing predictive device aimed at preventing pressure injuries
FOLSOM — A Folsom-area high school student is gaining international recognition for combining artificial intelligence and engineering to tackle a significant healthcare challenge affecting millions worldwide.
Ayushmaan Bellum has been named a “Conrad Innovator” in the 2025–2026 Conrad Challenge, an international student innovation competition organized by Space Center Houston, for his development of Dermalytix, a patent-pending healthcare technology concept designed to help prevent pressure injuries in patients.
The Conrad Innovator distinction is awarded to a select group of teams from thousands of global submissions whose Innovation Stage proposals stand out for creativity, research, and entrepreneurial thinking. Bellum’s work placed him among a distinguished group of young innovators recognized for addressing real-world challenges through advanced problem-solving.
Bellum designed and built a wearable device prototype that utilizes pressure sensors and embedded electronics to monitor vulnerable areas of the body in real time. The system is paired with software programmed using machine learning and AI-based predictive modeling to analyze pressure intensity and duration. By identifying risk patterns early, the device is designed to alert caregivers before prolonged pressure begins to damage the skin.
As part of his Conrad Challenge submission, Bellum presented a working demonstration of the prototype along with a dedicated project website and a detailed technical proposal outlining the system’s architecture and predictive modeling approach. Feedback shared during the review process noted the project’s thoughtful design and its potential to address a critical healthcare issue.
Bellum collaborated on the concept with Saanvi, a high school freshman based in India, underscoring the global scope of both the problem and the solution. Pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores, affect millions of patients each year, particularly those who are bedridden or have limited mobility, and remain a persistent concern across hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.
Dermalytix aims to shift prevention efforts from a reactive model to a predictive one, using continuous sensor data and intelligent analysis to help caregivers intervene earlier and protect patients from developing painful and costly skin injuries.
The Conrad Challenge, presented by Equinor and organized by Space Center Houston, invites students worldwide to develop entrepreneurial solutions addressing global challenges across health, energy, aerospace and technology sectors. According to the organization, the Conrad Innovator designation recognizes students who submitted a noteworthy Innovation Brief that meets or exceeds all requirements during the Innovation Stage, reflecting a high level of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.
Bellum’s Dermalytix concept targets a longstanding issue in healthcare, where pressure injuries can lead to serious complications including infection, extended hospital stays and increased medical costs. By integrating sensor-based monitoring with predictive analytics, the concept offers a scalable approach that could improve patient outcomes and reduce strain on healthcare systems.
With the recognition, Bellum joins a global network of Conrad Challenge alumni—young innovators working to develop solutions to pressing challenges around the world.
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