New Orleans Teen Designs Stroke-Detecting Smartwatch: 'Real-Life Solution to a Real-Life Problem' (Exclusive)

Naya Ellis, one of PEOPLE's Girls Changing the World in 2024, hopes the WingItt, can be an affordable option for those at risk

<p>Courtesy Donielle Ellis</p>

Courtesy Donielle Ellis

When Naya Ellis’s grandmother had a stroke, nobody realized what was happening at the time.

“I see how she lives every day, having [had] a stroke,” says Ellis, 15-year-old high school sophomore from New Orleans. “It caused her to become disabled. Knowing you could catch that before that happens, it could change someone else’s life.”

As part of the STEM NOLA Fellows program, she designed an early stroke detection watched called Wingitt.

“We had to create a real-life solution to a real-life problem,” says Ellis, who was named one of PEOPLE's Girls Changing the World in 2024.

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The watch design is patent-pending, and the goal is to make it more affordable and also more elder-friendly than a typical smart watch. The watch sensors will detect signs of a stroke — heart rate, oxygen levels, emotions and changes in speech patterns — and contact family members and emergency medical personnel if risk factors are detected.

<p>Courtesy Donielle Ellis</p> Naya Ellis explains the functionality of her stroke-detecting watch at the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy Donielle Ellis

Naya Ellis explains the functionality of her stroke-detecting watch at the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.

“That way, if you are going into a stroke, before you know, they'll know,” she says, “It's going to also alert your emergency services, so they can be on the way to you so you can get the help you need.”

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Her grandmother's stroke happened before Ellis was born, but she has seen the limited movement in one hand that has resulted. “It’s sad because she can’t do everything," says Ellis, "but she tries her best.”

Ellis can't turn back time and prevent her grandmother's stroke, or undo its lasting damage, but perhaps the WingItt, which will next enter the prototyping phase, could catch the next one, or save someone else's grandparent.

<p>Stem NOLA</p> An annotated design of the WingItt stroke-detecting watch.

Stem NOLA

An annotated design of the WingItt stroke-detecting watch.

“I’m making [WingItt] to help lower-income people,” she says. “It won’t be for everybody. But the people it can help? That’s what matters.”

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Ellis, who was recently selected as one of the champions of the National STEM Challenge, is the youngest of six children. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in elementary school. After helping care for her, she decided she wanted to become a physician.

<p>Courtesy Donielle Ellis</p> Naya Ellis explains the WingItt to another young STEM enthusiast.

Courtesy Donielle Ellis

Naya Ellis explains the WingItt to another young STEM enthusiast.

“I feel like if I could help other women, that's changing the world,” she says. “I want to change the world by uplifting other women and saving lives.”

“I'm changing the world and I'm not even that old yet,” she continues. “[It shows] you're capable of anything at [any] age.”

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