We are thrilled to introduce the three student projects selected as finalists for the eighth annual Berkeley Student Innovator Award, a $5,000 scholarship recognizing creativity, feasibility, and real‑world impact. The finalists will present their projects on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Meet the 2025 Finalists
Angela Deng & Ami Kshatriya
ContactEco: A Contact Lens Recycling Initiative
Chenglei “Vera” Shan
A Novel VR-Based Approach to Evaluating Vision in Patients Post-Cataract Surgery
Baldemar Torres
“Bored with Boards?” – The Innovative Card Game for Optometry Board Exam Review
Event Highlights
Each finalist will deliver a 10‑minute lightning talk highlighting their prototype, preliminary data, and implementation plans, followed by an engaging Q&A with an expert review panel composed of faculty, industry partners, and alumni innovators. Attendees will also cast an audience‑choice vote for a special recognition prize, and the evening will conclude with a reception featuring light refreshments and time for networking.
About the Award
The Berkeley Student Innovator Award is made possible by VSP through the Jobson Rick Bay Foundation for Excellence in Eyecare Education, which generously funds initiatives that nurture the next generation of innovators. Click here to see last year’s winner