Veracruz, Mexico /
Angela Elena Olazarán Laureanooriginally from Papantla, Veracruz, developed a virtual medical assistant powered by Yoartificial intelligence (IA) for which she was named winner of the 2024 Chegg.org Global Student Prize among more than 11 thousand candidacies and applications from 176 countriesreceiving 100 thousand dollars as an incentive for his efforts to benefit his local community, country and world.
Graduate of National College of Technical Vocational Education (Conalep) as Technical Professional Bachelor in Computer ScienceÁngela found her interest in STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) from a very young age. thanks to his father and brother.
“I still remember in the workshop how I was putting together my first robot. and how the issue of programming was very difficult for me, but with the passage of time and With the help of my family I became more involved and that’s when I entered Conalep,” he said in an interview for MILLENNIUM.
During the pandemic, he realized that the inhabitants of his community It took them up to an hour to travel to a medical centerso people’s health worsened by trying to save money. time and money.
Based on this concern, Angela helped create Ixtliltona virtual medical assistant powered by Artificial Intelligence that currently can diagnose 21 diseases based on a series of questions.
This tool could be particularly valuable in marginalized communities that have faced a lack of doctors in the country.
In 2022, it was reported a deficit of 135 thousand 46 specialist doctors in Mexicowhich is equivalent to 107 doctors per 100 thousand inhabitants, when the international recommendations They suggest a minimum of 230 doctors per 100 thousand inhabitants.
“This technology What it seeks is for the patient to be able to undergo a medical diagnosis remotely.. It is interactive, it is easy to understand, so for those people who do not have prior knowledge of technology, it is very simple for them“.
“The medical assistant itself It starts by asking for the patient’s personal information and begins to ask a series of questions, for example, if you have had headaches, nausea, if you have felt some stress symptoms and based on these questions, a symptomatology is followed, that is, the diagnosis is directed. until it shows a probability of contagion“.
“This obviously makes it much easier for patients to Identify if it is urgent to attend a medical centerapart from the fact that it can save them this travel time,” he explained.
Considering that internet access is concentrated in urban areas with 83.8% compared to rural areas with 62.3% in agreement with the latest National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Homes carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), Ixtlilton does not require an internet connection Well, once downloaded to a device such as a mobile phone or a computer, the patient can control this server and thus carry out the medical prediagnosis.
Currently, Ángela studies Engineering in Information Technology and Digital Business at the Anáhuac Veracruz UniversityXalapa campus.
And although I would like to continue developing STEM projects, your wish is motivate to more young people and promote quality education for girls and women within the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“I think it is an area that is being addressed a lot and progress is being made little by littlethen promote STEM education in everyone, not only in project-based learning but also in the part of gender equality“.
“Don’t let it stop at the fact that a Mexican won this awardbut that all the young Mexican men and women who from their areas They are creating wonderful things. This is a perfect opportunity to encourage them and invite them to take action as they get involved within their community and are agents of change in the world.”
M.O.
