Golden State Today

Simran Lallian and Jaya Athuluru, undergraduates at the University of California, Davis, have embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with their medtech startup, EpiSense. The initiative aims to predict seizures using a combination of electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and machine learning techniques. Their mission is to mitigate the risk of injuries that occur due to unexpected seizures.

Athuluru explained the personal connection to the project: “Simran and I met at a club here called Neurotech@Davis, and we found a similar passion for neuroscience and entrepreneurship,” she said. “I was diagnosed with epilepsy in middle school, so it was a very near and dear disorder to us.”

The pair shared insights into their startup's development during a conversation with UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. They highlighted how university resources have facilitated their progress. "We’ve been really lucky to have great support from a lot of different places on campus like the Student Startup Center," Lallian noted. "The director, Aaron Anderson, has been really helpful for us." She also mentioned their participation in the PLASMA accelerator program as part of a cohort with other student founders.

In addition to managing EpiSense, both students remain engaged in campus activities. They encourage fellow undergraduates with entrepreneurial ambitions to take advantage of available resources at UC Davis.

Listeners can tune in for more about EpiSense’s future plans and Chancellor May’s “Hot Seat” round where Lallian and Athuluru discuss influential entrepreneurs and share valuable advice they have received.

Chancellor May's monthly talk show 'Face to Face' has featured over 40 guests including faculty, staff, and students from UC Davis. These conversations are accessible on the Face to Face webpage.

Dateline UC Davis updates are available on social media platform X.