We're a team of high school researchers united by a shared mission: restoring the voices of those who've lost them. What started as a personal project after losing Ye-Ye has grown into a serious research effort with guidance from leading neuroscientists.

The VOCL Team

Atharva

Machine Learning

Develops the CNN-LSTM models and signal processing pipeline

Idhant

Hardware Engineering

Engineers signal acquisition hardware and electrode systems

James

Research Coordination

Coordinates market research with experts and patient families

Craig

Product Development

Handles ergonomic testing and MVP refinement

Jayden

Clinical Validation

Validates our ideas with clinicians and researchers

Research Advisors

University of Chicago UC Davis Northwestern University UCSF Stanford University
Dr. Nicholas Hatsopoulos University of Chicago Motor Cortex BCIs
Dr. Sergey Stavisky UC Davis 2023 International BCI Award Winner
Dr. Howard Nusbaum UChicago Psychology Speech & Language
Dr. Dina Simkin Northwestern Clinical Neurology
Dr. Lee Miller Northwestern Neuroscience
UCSF Dr. David Moses UCSF Neurosurgery & BCI
UCSF Harsha Gowda, PhD UCSF Neural Engineering
Stanford Dr. Jaimie Henderson Stanford Neurosurgery

"The bar is incredibly low for non-invasive ALS speech solutions—a product like this, if done properly, would be revolutionary."

— Dr. Nicholas Hatsopoulos, University of Chicago

Clinical Partners

Pilot program with 50 early-stage ALS and post-stroke dysarthria patients at Northwestern Medicine and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Market Validation

We surveyed 127 patients, families, and clinicians to validate the need.

68 Patients & Families

91% confirmed current solutions are inadequate
87% would consider purchasing VOCL at $2,500
94% prefer non-invasive options over surgery

59 Clinicians

93% recognize unmet need for affordable speech restoration
98% believe VOCL addresses a critical gap
86% would recommend to patients if FDA approved