Fellow:Christina Grace Kolasanakoti


Name Christina Grace Kolasanakoti School (Cohort) Hong Kong Baptist University (2025 cohort) Majoring in BSc in Innovation in Health and Social Well-being Country India Email Special:EmailUser/Cgracek215

Bio

Christina is a Year 3 student at Hong Kong Baptist University, majoring in Innovation in Health and Social Well-being with a Concentration in Health Technology and Informatics and Minor in Public Relations and Advertising. Her commitment to addressing societal challenges is shaped by her experiences engaging with diverse communities across cultures. Known for her collaborative and innovative approach, Christina consistently demonstrates leadership and a focus on collective improvement. She has a strong foundation in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, enabling her to integrate technological frameworks with design thinking to address healthcare challenges. Her transdisciplinary background, enhanced by cross-cultural exposure, supports her ability to conduct effective heuristic evaluations and foster collaboration between technical and social domains. Driven by a passion for data-driven research, Christina applies her expertise in biophysiology, the biopsychosocial fusion, AI, and data analytics to develop user-centric solutions that support underserved populations. Her dedication and ability to connect technology with societal needs establish her as a promising contributor to health and social innovation.

Achievements

Christina has been an active participant through her academic projects and community involvement at Hong Kong Baptist University, which showcased her ability to combine technical expertise with a commitment to social impact. As a student ambassador in the Department of Computer Science alongside scholars from the department, she advocated for trans-disciplinary collaboration during promotions for the newly introduced second majors in Applied AI for Sustainable Society and AI and Data Science, effectively highlighting the value of integrating computer science with societal challenges. She also earned a certificate of appreciation for her outstanding contributions as a mentor in the AI x HK OpenCup 2025, a one-day AI hackathon where she guided secondary students from 15 schools and colleges in Hong Kong to utilize AI tools for innovative creations and presentations, demonstrating her ability to inspire and educate the next generation. She also involoved herself in a Service Learning project in work with The Salvation Army Hong Kong to provide an innovative AI eye-tracking device prototype to support speech-impaired elderlies for ease of decision-making and communication while receiving palliate care (临终关怀) under the Army's Scheme.

In a User Experience Design in Health and Wellbeing course, Christina led the development of SleepQuest, a mobile application designed to improve sleep patterns among youth. The app incorporates gamification, incentives, and tools such as guided breathing and ASMR sounds to create an engaging, socially interactive experience. Her proactive approach in seeking feedback, conducting heuristic evaluations, and delivering clear, effective presentations for pitching the application highlighted her dedication to delivering user-focused solutions.

In relation to AI and Data Analytics for Health and Social Innovation, Christina spearheaded HandTalk, a real-time AI-integrated sign language interpreter to assist individuals with vocal and hearing disabilities in interacting with the hearing community. Themed under Diversity and Inclusion, this project bridged communication barriers for the deaf and mute, enabling connection with those without American Sign Language (ASL) skills. It showcases her ability to apply AI and data analytics to address non-inclusive environments, reflecting her understanding of technology’s potential to promote social inclusivity. Her leadership fostered a collaborative team environment, encouraging peers to contribute effectively while achieving project goals.

During a Design Thinking workshop using Crazy8 and HMW filtering, Christina proposed an innovative solution to address food waste in Hong Kong. Her multi-faceted application targeted both restaurants and diners, featuring real-time inventory management systems and auto-menu suggestions for restaurant management, alongside incentive reward systems, meal customization platforms, and a pay-what-you-waste model for diners to promote sustainable dining habits. This proposal demonstrated her ability to develop practical and creative solutions to community challenges. Her clear communication in discussions and presentations pitching for new sustainable solutions ensured her complex ideas were well-received, understood, and impactful.

Currently, Christina serves as a Non-Local Mentor in the Undergraduate Halls of Hong Kong Baptist University, a role she was nominated for by the Resident Masters. In this capacity, she provides dedicated support to new non-local freshmen, helping them navigate and adjust to life at HKBU and in Hong Kong, particularly within the university halls of residence. She also serves as a Mental Health First Aid Captain for students in the Halls, being trained, verified, and certified by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. In this role, she is trained to support students facing mental health challenges, providing initial and immediate guidance in creating a supportive environment for peer well-being. Through her commitment to these various efforts, Christina has established herself as a capable and dedicated student, consistently applying her skills to address societal issues with precision and care in both academic and extracurricular domains.

Awards and Honors:

- Hong Kong Baptist University 2024/25 Non-Local Non-Mainland Student Special Award: Acknowledged for her outstanding academic performance and extracurricular contributions as a non-local, non-mainland student. Awarded to 10 undergraduate students annually.

- Certified Mental Health First Aid Captain: Verified by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, received upon training and recognizing her commitment to supporting mental health in her university and undergraduate halls' community.

- Merit Prize at the Youth for Digital Activism - Global Citizenship Advocacy Contest: Awarded for her innovative approach to raising awareness for global citizenship and social impact through a creative arts work of poetry.

- Admission Non-local Non-mainland Scholarship Recipient at Hong Kong Baptist University

- Presidential Honors Role GPA