Wafa Elmannai, a doctorate student of computer science and engineering at the University of Bridgeport who is designing “an intelligence framework” of different technologies to assist the visually impaired, has been selected by the Connecticut Technology Council for its 2015 Women of Innovation Awards program.
Elmannai is among 56 honorees who will be recognized during the Women of Innovation Awards program at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on April 1.
Elmannai”™s system incorporates cameras, infrared sensors and an ultrasonic GPS system to assist at work and home. In a statement announcing the award, the university said Elmannai was driven by an interest in making an assistive program that is cost-accessible and accurate.
The annual award recognizes women throughout Connecticut, in the workforce and in school, who are innovators, role models and community leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math ”“ the so-called STEM arena.
The Women of Innovation were nominated by their peers and selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership, the university reported. Students were judged on inventiveness, accomplishment in science and technology, independent research and academic achievement.
“Each year the Women of Innovation awards ceremony honors outstanding women who have made contributions in their professions, studies and in many cases, their communities,” said Beth Alquist, planning committee chairwoman for the Women of Innovation Awards program. “The 2015 Women of Innovation awards dinner is an inspirational time to celebrate these women and their accomplishments.”
Professor Khaled M. Elleithy, associate vice president for graduate studies and research and associate dean of the School of Engineering at UB, said “Wafa exemplifies a role model of Women in Innovation. She began working on a system to help the visually impaired after she noticed that many existing devices are limited in their capabilities or cost prohibitive.”
The Women of Innovation Awards presenting sponsors are the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, medical device manufacturer Covidien, the law firm Day Pitney LLP and United Technologies Corp. Supporting Sponsors include AT&T, Frontier Communications, General Electric and Pfizer Inc.
