Age: 16
Khalid Kassam really has followed his heart. He remembers working on a clay model of the organ in grade 2, and he continues his focus on cardiology a decade later.
Last year, the Calgary Youth Science Fair awarded him a Canada-Wide Science Fair alternate award for his invention — a cardiac event prediction and repair app.
From user-provided data, the app’s models can predict the likelihood of a heart attack with 95 per cent accuracy or identify the condition of a heart with 98 per cent confidence.
Kassam also volunteers for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Youth Council, the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, and Westmount Charter School’s STEM Fellowship team and debate program.
He stresses his commitment as an Ismaili Muslim to being a global citizen and leading through service, or khidma.
“It’s of the highest essence to give back to the community for everything we’ve been so blessed with.”
