Rep. Marilyn Strickland announced Suhaas Meka as the winner of the inaugural 2026 Congressional STEM Award Program for Washington’s 10th Congressional District on Monday.
“Through my project, GRIP-CTS, I wanted to explore how technology can help prevent injuries before they occur and encourage healthier habits for people who use digital devices every day,” said Meka, a seventh grader at Nova Middle School.
“GRIP-CTS (Glove Risk Index for Posture – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is an incredible example of how STEM innovation can be applied to real-world problems,” said Dr. Dave Song, assistant professor of chemistry at Pacific Lutheran University.
“Prolonged smartphone and device usage among students and younger generations has been linked to wrist strain and early CTS symptoms, with warning signs that go unnoticed until pain sets in… By turning strain we can’t feel into something we can see and correct, it’s a brilliant step forward in protecting the long-term health of a digital-first generation.”
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