Schools

Beaverton Student's App to Help Alzheimer's Patients Honored

Sneha Malineni, a student at Westview High School, was honored by Representative Suzanne Bonamici.

A student at Beaverton's Westview High School who designed an app to help Alzheimer's patients and their families has been honored by Representative Suzanne Bonamici.

Sneha Malineni, who was motivated to develop the app by her experiences with her grandfather, is the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Oregon's First District. Nearly 200 Congressional districts are participating.

The competition is intended to encourage high school students to learn to code by creating their own apps. By doing so, Congress hopes to highlight the value of computer science and science, technology, and math (STEM) education.

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Malineni is the first Oregon winner to be announced this year.

"The app addresses needs of Alzheimer's patients by enhancing retention skills with interactive visual media triggers," Malineni. "I chose this idea because I have a grandfather battling Alzheimer's and understand the lack of confidence patients feel when asking the names of friends or family."

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The app allows users to upload photos with descriptions and turns it into a game to help improve memory skills. The app also has links to emergency contacts and resources.

"Creativity and innovation are key to our economy and essential to future economic growth,” said Bonamici. "This year's Congressional App Challenge brought in thoughtful and impressive submissions. I congratulate Sneha for her creative 'Forget Me Not' app that addresses the needs of Alzheimer's patients. I'm particularly touched by the personal connection with her grandfather, who inspired her development of the app."

The winning app was selected by a panel of expert judges from Northwest Oregon, and all submissions were evaluated for creativity, originality, user experience, and design. Judges provided the following feedback on Sneha’s app.

"The idea of creating an app specifically in support of Alzheimer’s patients is certainly a noble one," said Julia Betts, STEM Center Program Manager at Portland Community College. "I think there is some great potential with this idea, and am proud to see students concerned with such pressing medical issues."

Bonamici recognized Malineni in an informal ceremony at her office, and the winning app will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website

Photo courtesy Representative Suzanne Bonamici's Office


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