Surrey Grade 9 Student Wins Gold for IV Leak Detection Wearable at National Fair

Thirteen-year-old Akshath Anand of Surrey earned a gold medal at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for his Veino IV safety monitoring device.

At just 13, Akshath Anand of Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning traveled to Edmonton for the Canada-Wide Science Fair and took home the top gold medal for his Veino IV Safety Monitoring System. The wearable employs smart pressure sensors to detect early changes in IV drip flow, giving nurses a prompt warning before patients develop swelling, bruising, or tissue irritation. Judges praised the project for merging engineering with practical health care needs, noting its possible use during endoscopic procedures as well.

Anand earned additional honors, including the Challenge Award in Health & Wellness, the Youth Can Innovate Award, and scholarships from the University of Alberta and Western University. His entry qualified after winning the South Fraser Regional Science Fair earlier in the year, showcasing how a school-based idea can achieve national recognition. The story underscores the impact young innovators can have on patient safety and the broader STEM education landscape. Surrey also celebrated another winner, Sreya Kurup, for work on antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the district’s strong showing at the event.