
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
More News

Strength in Leadership
As he prepares to step down as president of New York Tech, we look at Henry C. “Hank” Foley’s legacy of growth, community, and innovation.

Students Learn About Spectrum Technology From Industry Experts
Industry leaders, faculty, students, and staff from universities across the country gathered on the Long Island campus for Spectrum Sizzle, an undergraduate spectrum workshop funded by the National Science Foundation.

NYITCOM-Arkansas Generates $44.6 Million in Economic Impact
In a recent study, NYITCOM-Arkansas’ economic impact supports 263 jobs and operations that result in $2.2 million in additional state and local taxes.

Cybersecurity Graduate Students Rank 25th in MITRE’s eCTF 2025 Competition
First-time participants, 10 cybersecurity students from the Vancouver campus break into the global top 25 in prestigious Embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) challenge.

Understanding the Cellular Underpinnings of Obesity
In his research, Assistant Professor Henry Ruiz, Ph.D., is looking to understand what makes fat cells grow, which could lead to new and improved obesity treatments.

The Role of Mathematica in the Classroom
President Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., discusses how Mathematica software can help students better integrate math into complex modeling, as well as opportunities for those outside traditional STEM majors and the future educational impact of AI.