Watson Code Fest 2024 is an annual bio-hackathon organized in partnership with Kathmandu University with a focus on healthcare and informatics. The event brought together 41 developers working on 30 innovative projects aimed at integrating biotechnology, computer science, and healthcare to solve global and local healthcare challenges. Key areas explored included personalized medicine, smart medical systems, AI in diagnostics, and public health data analytics.

The main goal of this hackathon is to foster innovation, promote multidisciplinary collaboration, and enhance skill development. It provides a collaborative environment for students, professionals, and researchers from various fields, emphasizing the role of informatics in advancing healthcare solutions.

The event was held at Kathmandu University over two days and encouraged participants to think creatively and work collaboratively. It aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, stimulate innovation and promote networking. The impact of this hackathon lies in its ability to inspire new medical technologies and cultivate a culture of innovation in Nepal, with potential global impact.

Hackathon Winners

1st Place Prize Winners

• MutraSuchak : This project promotes early Alzheimer's disease detection through low-cost methods suitable for medical applications. It integrates ESP modules and Python Flask server, and the open source resources are available on GitHub.

Runner-Up Prize Winners

• PCOSgen : This project compiles a predictive database for PCOS phenotypes to aid in early diagnosis and personalized treatment. It uses a data-driven approach to address research gaps and improve patient outcomes.

Most Innovative Project Prize Winners

• Silent Witness: Graph-Based Abuse Detection : This program uses AI to analyze facial expressions from webcams to detect patterns of abuse. Using the YOLO model to protect privacy, it builds an interaction graph to identify and flag negative patterns while promoting a positive environment.

For a detailed list of all participating projects, visit Watson Code Fest's project page .

About the Organizer

Kathmandu University Biotechnology Creatives

Kathmandu University Biotech Creativity (KUBiC) is a pioneering organization in the fields of biotechnology and bioinformatics. Known for hosting the annual Watson Code Fest, KUBiC provides a platform for innovators, coders, and creative thinkers to solve critical challenges in these fields. KUBiC is firmly committed to advancing biological sciences and excels in fostering collaboration and creativity. Its mission is to redefine the future of biology and drive advancements in interdisciplinary fields. More information can be found on its website .