Duke Kunshan University recently launched the 5th Duke Kunshan University Innovation Challenge (“DaChuang”), centered around the theme of “Innovation · Connection.” The competition spurred a new generation of creators to look beyond what they build and consider how innovative thinking can open doors to wider impact.
Out of a strong field of entrants, 29 exceptional projects progressed to the final round, earning seed funding or research grants. Notably, four of these winning teams included undergraduate and graduate students from the Duke Kunshan Global Health program. Their success underscores the program’s strength in fostering interdisciplinary innovation and equipping students to tackle complex, real-world problems.
Selected Projects from Global Health Students
IE 180 | Pause and Relax: A Screen-Free Metro Health Space Initiative
Creating calm, screen-free health spaces in urban metro systems
Team Name: PAUSE and RELAX
Team Members: Jiaqi Chen (Team Lead, UG Global Health, Class of 2028), Tianruo Liu
Project Overview: Pause and Relax takes aim at the growing reliance on digital screens during daily commutes. The project proposes introducing a calm, screen-free carriage on Shanghai Metro Line 11, creating space for passengers to read, rest, and reconnect with their surroundings. Looking ahead, the team plans to collaborate with bookstores and other cultural partners to incorporate reading and artistic elements into the commuting experience. Grounded in observational research and pilot testing, the initiative explores how small, thoughtful interventions in public transit can promote healthier screen habits, support emotional well-being, and make everyday urban travel more comfortable—advancing public health in a subtle yet sustainable way.
IE 182 | Optimizing Vaccine Communication for Older Adults Through Social Media Data Analysis
Enhancing vaccine science communication for older adults across platforms
Team Name: 12315
Team Members: Shiyu Pan (Team Lead), Hanxi Zheng, Leyan Chen (UG Global Health, Class of 2028), Yunfei Fang, Chang Liu
Project Overview: This project examines how official vaccine messages are communicated across different digital platforms, and how older adults make sense of them. By analyzing content from government websites, WeChat public accounts, and Douyin alongside in-depth interviews with older audiences, the team seeks to identify where messaging diverges and how these differences shape understanding and trust. The study will result in both an academic research report and a community-facing, age-friendly science communication guide, with the goal of improving grassroots vaccine outreach, minimizing information gaps, and easing vaccine-related concerns among older adults.
IE 192 | NurtiSense
An AI-powered precision nutrition platform for healthier families and more efficient professional practice
Team Name: Eta
Team Members: Ziyi Xia (Team Lead), Xiaoyun Ding, Weiwei Zhu, Xinyue Zhou (All team members: MSc Global Health, Class of 2027)
Project Overview: NurtiSense is built around the idea of rethinking premium health management in China’s highly fragmented nutrition market. By combining personalized, high-touch expert consultations with an in-house AI-powered triage tool, the platform delivers tailored chronic disease prevention solutions for high-net-worth families and corporate clients. At the same time, NurtiSense supports nutrition professionals through efficiency tools and standardized training programs, strengthening capacity across the field. Guided by a dual social mission, the initiative channels commercial returns into public benefit, expanding access to health screenings in under-resourced communities and supporting women’s career advancement. This integrated approach, blending service, technology, and professional development, allows NurtiSense to scale commercially while advancing health equity and workforce empowerment.
IE 201 | PROMIS – Platform for Resilience Optimization and Mental-Health Insights for Students (AI HealthTech)
An AI-driven analytics dashboard to strengthen student resilience and inform university mental health management
Team Name: PROMIS
Team Members: Tim Maurice Steiner (Team Lead), Masa Holocsi (MSc Global Health, Class of 2027), Feiyang Zhong, Tianruo Liu
Project Overview: PROMIS, the Platform for Resilience Optimization and Mental Health Insights for Students, is an AI-driven analytics tool designed to support student well-being while giving universities clearer visibility into campus mental health trends. Students can choose to share daily information on stress, academic demands, sleep quality, mood, and lifestyle habits, which the platform analyzes to generate personalized feedback aimed at strengthening resilience and reducing the risk of burnout. At the institutional level, anonymized trend data allows universities to identify emerging mental health concerns earlier and respond with more targeted support. In the face of a global challenge, supporting student mental health in increasingly competitive academic environments, PROMIS offers a practical solution that is scalable, evidence-informed, and respectful of privacy.
Congratulations to all shortlisted teams!
We look forward to seeing these projects continue to grow and generate meaningful impact.
By Zhangyang Pan & Xiaohang Lyu
