20 Feb 2020
We may associate scientific breakthroughs and ideas that make our lives safer, more convenient or easier with leading laboratories and Universities.
Not in this case. Oliver Balfour is still a school student in Year 12 at Canberra College.
That makes his breakthrough all the more remarkable. He has created a computer program that can detect if someone with diabetes has blood vessel damage to their retina, particularly the condition diabetic retinopathy.
Oliver’s independent research project was recently awarded third prize in the national BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards.
The damage caused by diabetic retinopathy is the second leading cause of blindness in the working age population, worldwide.
This algorithm would be of particular use in rural areas and developing countries where diagnostic specialists may be lacking.
Oliver says that while there is lots of maths required to develop a project like this, creativity is also needed.
Viktor Halas, Head of Science at Canberra College witnessed Oliver participate in the Awards last year and supported him in refining his skills and working hard to be placed this year.
“I believe teachers are there to create opportunities,” Viktor Halas said.
To help create opportunities for other students, Canberra College is now remodelling its facilities to create an innovation space for student projects.
Oliver’s work may yet spawn some creativity in his fellow students. He says it will be interesting to share his project with others in the coming weeks.
As for the future, Oliver is now taking part in the Science Mentors ACT program with his interests and work to be supported by a Professor in Nuclear Physics.
He also plans to study computer science and is particularly interested in Artificial Intelligence something he finds “cool”.
You can learn more about Oliver’s project here.