A team of recent graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology developed a heat-stroke detection system for construction workers, earning the runner-up prize at the SAS Innovate 2025 global hackathon. The team, named StaSASticians, won the top position in both the Americas regional competition and in the Insurance and Internet of Things categories, which qualified them for the global round.
The group included Brandon Sharp (M.S. AMAT ’24), Narges Hosseinzadeh (M.S. AMAT ’23), and Irina Klein (M.S. AI ’23). They collaborated with BeeInventor, a company specializing in Internet of Things products, and brought Dr. Jeffrey Li onto their team for his medical expertise.
The SAS Hackathon saw participation from 145 teams comprising 1,731 individuals across more than 70 countries. Teams worked together—often virtually—to network, learn from mentors provided by SAS, and experiment with new technologies aimed at innovation and improving safety.
StaSASticians’ project used artificial intelligence along with tools such as Python, Workbench, Data Maker, and Viya from SAS to build a system that collects data through smart helmets worn by construction workers. These helmets gather real-time weather information as well as physiological data like heart rate and core body temperature via sensors developed by BeeInventor.
“SAS is looking to spotlight early results of field tests of the heat stroke prevention system in Hong Kong and Japan this summer,” said Franklin Manchester, SAS global insurance strategic adviser. “It is part of a broader effort to share compelling and timely stories with news media about innovative uses of AI to keep workers safe.”
By analyzing sensor data using AI models created by StaSASticians, the system can predict potential heat-stress illnesses so that preventive measures can be taken before incidents occur.
“We are excited about the progress we’ve made so far and are confident that our findings will contribute meaningfully to the field,” said Hosseinzadeh. “This was my second time leading a team in the SAS Hackathon, and it was such a great experience. I’d encourage other Illinois Tech students to join future hackathons. It’s an amazing way to learn and make an impact.”
Sharp added: “It’s highly satisfying to see the impact that our work can have on frontier engineering projects such as construction site safety. By combining mathematical modeling, machine learning, and computer vision, we’re able to develop predictive analytics and real-time monitoring systems that can help prevent accidents and protect workers’ lives.”
Klein commented: “The collaborative spirit and hands-on learning I experienced during the hackathon solidified my passion for AI and inspired me to delve deeper into AI applications in biomedicine. I’m thrilled to contribute to the cutting-edge research happening here.”
Dr. Li noted that lack of heat stroke prediction remains a major risk in construction work; delayed treatment can result in mortality rates up to 80 percent while early intervention lowers this rate significantly.
“BeeInventor has extensive experience on IoT products for the construction field,” Li said. “During the SAS Hackathon, we have tested several models and reviewed numerous features, from which we identified top features for heat stroke predictions and develop accurate predictions toward heat stroke risk five to 10 minutes later.”
Sou-Cheng Choi—a research associate professor at Illinois Tech—organized the team’s participation after connecting alumni with BeeInventor.
Choi stated: “Our team’s working and winning experiences in the SAS Hackathon have not only enhanced our technical knowledge and capabilities with SAS Viya Enterprise and SAS Workbench but also fostered personal development in communication, collaboration, and confidence. These events also provide invaluable networking opportunities with industry professionals and building a portfolio of projects that showcase their abilities in their resumes.”