Naya Ellis: The Brilliant Mind Behind WingItt
At just 14 years old, Naya Ellis, a New Orleans native, has created a groundbreaking innovation for the medical field.
The high school student designed WingItt, a stroke-detecting watch for adults, after witnessing her grandmother suffer from a stroke.
“I want to do something I’m interested in, that will also change the world,” Ellis said.
The Revolutionary WingItt Watch
Ellis’s invention, WingItt, works by detecting nerve impulses and heartbeats to identify strokes apart from the physically visible signs.
Recognizing that strokes greatly affect people aged 55 and over, Ellis created the device with that age group in mind. Moreover, she aims for WingItt to be more affordable compared to other smartwatches currently on the market.
A Passion for STEM and Helping Others
Ellis’s journey to creating WingItt began at STEM NOLA’s STEM Saturday, where she initially planned to create a watch for detecting seizures. However, inspired by her grandmother’s experience, she pivoted to developing a stroke-detecting device instead.
Through STEM NOLA’s eight-week fellowship program, which provides mentorship and networking opportunities for low-income students of color in New Orleans, Ellis became a National STEM Challenge champion.
Out of more than 2,500 applicants nationwide, she was among the 126 champions selected.
Showcasing WingItt at the National STEM Festival
In April 2024, Ellis will showcase her innovative WingItt at the first-ever National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR. Participating students will receive coding training and sessions with STEM experts.
Along with her groundbreaking invention, Ellis aims to pursue a career in medicine and become an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) after graduating from high school. Her passion for helping others and bringing new life into the world fuels her aspirations.
“I love the fact that you’re bringing new life into the world, that’s the coolest thing ever to me,” Ellis shared. “I’m a woman helping women. It can’t get any better than that!”
