ICRE News

March 4, 2019

Two ICRE Trainees’ Healthcare AI Startups Featured in Made in Pittsburgh

With the tech industry growing in Pittsburgh, many new companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) to address various challenges in healthcare. At the Institute for Clinical Research Education, several programs have expanded to include training and support for clinical scientists with an interest in innovation and commercialization. Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD, current CTS Scholar and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Pitt, and Matthew Kesinger, 2015 Clinical Scientist Training Program graduate, were both featured in Made in Pittsburgh recognizing their Pittsburgh-based healthcare companies.

Dr. Krishnamurti’s company Naima Health develops tools and strategies that improve risk assessment, communication, and intervention across multiple health domains. Co-founded with Hyagriv Simhan (UPMC) and Alex Davis (CMU), Naima Health developed the mobile health platform MyHealthyPregnancy, which delivers personalized, engaging, and effective support to pregnant women and their healthcare providers.

Matthew Kesinger’s company Forest Devices developed ALPHASTROKE, an early stroke detection device for use on ambulances. The device functions as an EKG for the brain and could help first responders identify stroke and triage patients effectively. The company is currently completing its second clinical trial and expects regulatory clearance next year.