Northwestern Engineering Students Named to Chicago Inno ‘Under 25’ List
The annual list recognizes young innovators who are ready to make their mark in Chicago
Northwestern Engineering undergraduates Trevor Abbott and Victoria Israel have been recognized in this year's Chicago Inno "Under 25" list, highlighting their entrepreneurial achievements.
Abbott and Israel are revolutionizing data collection in healthcare and beyond with their startup HaptE. Israel, a third-year student in mechanical engineering from Buenos Aires, Argentina, brings a background in social impact, having previously founded STEMOA, an international nonprofit providing scientific resources to low-income students. Abbott, also a third-year student in mechanical engineering, combines his aerospace experience leading NASA project teams with his entrepreneurial vision.
They both led the new endeavor, Metallic Expandable Technology for Artemis Lunar Structures (METALS), which took the highest honor at NASA’s 2024 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea Challenge forum. And together, they've developed innovative low-cost data-sensing gloves that track hand motions and grip strength for physical therapy applications.
While HaptE's initial focus is on improving patient outcomes in physical therapy, their technology has broader applications in manufacturing, logistics, and robotics. The startup has already secured pilot agreements with leading physicians, with feedback expected by the end of 2024. Their innovative approach has earned them recognition through The Garage's Jumpstart pre-accelerator program, where they won second place and $8,000 in funding, along with acknowledgment from 1517 and Little Joe Ventures.