A team from the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design recently earned top recognition at Pava Fuel Demo Day 2026. The team received the $15,000 Judge’s Prize for its innovative approach to bladder cancer screening technology.

The award-winning team, Lumenate, is composed of CBID Master of Science in Engineering students from the Class of 2026: Eleanor Kimbro, Lauren Lee, Haley Slosberg, Jack Darbonne, and Anand Vaish. The team will continue advancing the project over the coming year.

Lumenate is developing an AI-enabled cystoscopy platform that aims to expand access to bladder cancer screening. The technology allows non-urologist healthcare providers to capture diagnostic-quality bladder images for asynchronous specialist review. By separating image acquisition from interpretation, the platform seeks to improve workflow efficiency, reduce clinical bottlenecks, and accelerate time to diagnosis.

The project addresses a growing need for scalable and accessible bladder cancer screening solutions. This need is becoming increasingly important as healthcare systems face workforce shortages and rising demand for specialty care.

The Pava Center Fuel Accelerator is a highly selective venture development program for later-stage student startups. The program helps teams prepare for commercialization and investor readiness through mentorship, strategic advising, workshops, and funding opportunities.

Throughout the semester, participating teams work closely with industry mentors and advisors. Teams refine their business strategy, technology development, and market positioning. The program concludes with Demo Day, where startups pitch their ventures to a panel of judges for additional funding opportunities.

Lumenate’s success at Demo Day highlights the entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary innovation fostered within CBID. Students work collaboratively to transform unmet clinical needs into impactful healthcare technologies.

Learn more about the Pava Center Fuel Accelerator through the Pava Center Fuel Program.