Riding the Brain Wave

When Ryan Ahmed’s father suffered a brain aneurysm, Ahmed sprang into action, developing earbuds that register brain activity. At New York Tech, he has taken his idea even further with the support of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center.

Attending New York Institute of Technology for the depth of knowledge, opportunity, and support beyond the classroom, Ryan Ahmed, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, is well on his way to bridging the worlds of technology, brain health, productivity, and entertainment.

During high school he and his friends, including fellow New York Tech student Pari Patel, set out to develop groundbreaking earbuds that could not only play music, but also provide information on brain health. Witnessing his father’s struggle after a brain aneurysm deeply impacted Ahmed. The sudden aneurysm developed into a brain bleed that continues to affect every facet of his father’s life.

Learning that most aneurysms occur without outward signs or symptoms before a traumatic rupture occurs, Ahmed began poring over the science behind brain health. Fueled by his interest in this, Ahmed and his friends discussed how health and wellness are increasingly connected to technology. After all, the Fitbit and Apple Watch have revolutionized the health industry, putting detailed information about heart health, blood oxygen levels, respiration rates, skin temperature, calories, and sleep patterns at our fingertips.

This article originally appeared in the spring/summer 2024 issue of New York Institute of Technology Magazine.

By Denice Rackley