Fixing Things that Matter

Here, our students don’t just talk about solving problems – they develop technologies, found companies and launch innovations that fix things that matter in our world.

Whether they’re developing anti-cancer drugs for animals, using augmented reality to improve quality of life for the deaf and hard of hearing, or disrupting the beauty industry with AI shade-matching technology, our students leverage their ESTEEM experiences to forge new paths and create real change.

Student & Alumni Highlights

Riley Ellingsen, ‘22

Founder of heARsight
Revolutionizing Hearing Technology with Augmented Reality

ESTEEM alumnus Riley Ellingsen discusses founding heARsight – a company creating AR-powered glasses that produce real-time subtitles to assist the deaf and hard of hearing. In this interview, he discusses the impact ESTEEM has had on his career, and how innovations like heARsight can make a tangible, large-scale impact on people's lives.

Emmanuel Acheampong, ‘21 and Rofy Okyere-Forson, ESTEEM ’22

Co-Founders of roboMUA
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Disrupt the Beauty Industry

Hear from the co-founders of roboMUA, a cutting-edge beauty technology startup that uses artificial intelligence to help consumers find the perfect products for their unique skin shade.

Joey Zayszly, ESTEEM '25

Consultant for Allied Argenta

As part of the ESTEEM program, Joey Zayszly, Class of 2025, works with Allied Argenta to develop affordable housing models for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ashley Kalinauskas, ESTEEM ‘13

Founder of Torigen Pharmaceuticals

As the founder and CEO of Torigen Pharmaceuticals – a pioneering company specializing in personalized cancer vaccines for pets – she has achieved success and transformed the veterinary market. In this interview, shares her journey and explores how her experience in the ESTEEM program paved the way for her entrepreneurial success.

Jack O’Meara, ESTEEM ‘16

Founder and CEO of Ochre Bio

In 2019, alumnus Jack O’Meara launched Ochre Bio – a company that uses advanced genomics, computation to treat and study various liver diseases. With a staff of 10 people at the time, the company raised more than $5 million from investors. “I think this is the implementation of a lot of the stuff I took from ESTEEM – finance, strategy, how much capital to raise and why,” O’Meara said.