In 2024, I had the privilege of serving as a judge at the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Chicago, one of the world’s largest global hackathons. This annual event brings together creative minds from diverse backgrounds to tackle challenges inspired by NASA’s mission to explore space and improve life on Earth.

As a judge, I evaluated innovative projects submitted by teams from around the region. These solutions spanned areas such as Earth observation, space exploration, and sustainability, showcasing the transformative potential of technology and collaboration.

It was inspiring to see participants leveraging data from NASA’s open APIs and applying advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT to address pressing challenges.

I assessed each project based on innovation, impact, technical implementation, and feasibility, while also engaging with participants to understand their thought processes and vision.

This experience underscored my passion for fostering innovation and encouraging the next generation of tech leaders to think beyond conventional boundaries.

Being part of NASA’s initiative to empower global problem-solvers was an honor and furthered my commitment to mentoring and driving impactful solutions through technology.