‘Just Keep Building’: Palo Alto Student Innovates in Health Technology
By Lisa Moreno, July 25, 2025
PALO ALTO — At just 10 years old, Palo Alto’s Myra Saxena is making significant strides in the field of health technology, demonstrating that age is no barrier to innovation. A recent graduate of Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Saxena has captivated national attention for her pioneering work in diabetes prevention among children.
Starting her coding journey at the age of eight, Saxena has developed an app and wearable device called Healthy Littles powered by SmartGenes, designed to help kids adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Her project was selected from over 200,000 applicants to be showcased at the National Invention Convention in June, where she was the sole representative from the Palo Alto Unified School District among 490 K-12 students nationwide.
“My grandpa passed away from diabetes, and that motivated me to help kids prevent Type 2 diabetes early,” Saxena shared. Combining this personal drive with her passion for coding, she has spent several years refining her technology. The development process involved creating multiple prototypes—each iteration adding valuable features ranging from exercise videos and healthy recipes to educational materials about body structure and nutrition tracking.
Saxena’s innovation did not stop at software. After discovering that predicting children’s genetic risk scores (GRS) for diabetes was challenging, she engineered a wearable device called SmartGenes. This prototype utilizes pulse sensors to monitor heart rate and other health indicators, offering early analysis of a child’s risk for developing diabetes.
Her products have undergone testing with over 100 individuals, including friends, family, teachers, and health professionals. One notable supporter is Dr. Risa Wolfe, a pediatrician and diabetes researcher at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. In a statement, Dr. Wolfe praised Saxena’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to kindness and philanthropy at a young age.
Saxena’s achievements have extended beyond the national stage. Healthy Littles earned first place at the 2025 World Series of Innovation Imagination League Challenge, a global competition for elementary school students. Moreover, Saxena has collaborated with leading institutions such as Stanford Health, further emphasizing the potential impact of her work.
Looking ahead, Saxena plans to deepen her app’s capabilities and broaden its availability. She is also passionate about inspiring other young inventors in the community. In partnership with Brenda Payne, a board member of the California Invention Convention, Saxena is working to establish a regional student ambassador program that encourages local students to participate in invention initiatives.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to just keep building,” Saxena remarked. “Never give up, even if people tell you that you can’t do it or you’re too young. It’s never too late or too early to start.”
Saxena’s story stands as a compelling testament to youthful innovation, resilience, and the power of personal motivation in driving technological advancement in health.
About the author: Lisa Moreno, a journalist from the East Bay Area, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Print and Online Journalism with a minor in Latino Studies from San Francisco State University. She focuses on education and community news in the Palo Alto region.
