For significant contributions to sensing applications; artificial intelligence; assistive technology for individuals with blindness; mobile health technologies.

Dr. Anna Pyayt’s career follows a path from innovative work in nanotechnology to pioneering advances in AI-driven healthcare solutions. While working on her dual Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Washington, Dr. Pyayt, together with laser printer inventor Garry Starkweather, developed an ultra-efficient display technology called the “Telescopic Pixel.” Her first two patents were filed during internships at Microsoft Research and HP Labs. This early work laid the foundation for her subsequent innovations in mobile health, including the development of Mobile ELISA—a technology for the early detection of pregnancy complications, recognized as an XPrize finalist. Now, as an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, Dr. Pyayt works on cutting-edge projects in AI-assisted cancer treatment optimization and scientific information extraction. These projects are supported by the National Science Foundation and the Casey DeSantis Cancer Innovation Fund, and done in collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Research Center and Florida State University. Her career exemplifies the impact of cross-disciplinary collaborations, spanning science, engineering, and medicine, with contributions from multiple mentors and colleagues. Dr. Pyayt’s work has received international attention, media coverage, and numerous awards, demonstrating her commitment to advancing medical technology for precision and accessibility in patient care.

Dr. Anna Pyayt is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) in the Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering. She earned a dual Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Nanotechnology from the University of Washington and completed a Computing Innovation Fellowship at Stanford University. During her PhD she interned at Microsoft Research and HP Labs, she worked with Garry Starkweather (Laser Printer Inventor) and together they patented a new display technology "Telescopic Pixel". Dr. Pyayt has pioneered technologies in AI, mobile health, and assistive devices for individuals with blindness. Her Mobile ELISA technology for early detection of pregnancy complications gained international recognition and was a finalist in competitions such as XPrize. Her current research focuses on AI-driven cancer treatment optimization and scientific information extraction, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and by the Casey DeSantis Cancer Innovation Fund. These projects are in collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Research Center and Florida State University. Dr. Pyayt holds multiple biomedical technology patents and is the founder of Hemolix LLC. She has presented her work at the U.S. Congress and the National Academy of Sciences, and her innovations have won numerous awards, including the University of South Florida Excellence in Innovation Award. Dr. Pyayt is a Senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the President of the USF NAI Chapter.