NIH Honors Team Including Nepali Engineer Santosh Adhikari for AI Innovation

Kathmandu. A research team, including Nepali engineer Santosh Adhikari, has received the prestigious ‘Replication Prize’ from the American health organization, National Institutes of Health, for its contribution to neuroscience and artificial intelligence through Conduct Science’s Maze Engineers software. The award was announced on May 13 under the ‘Track Two’ category. The team received a prize amount of 50,000 U.S. dollars, equivalent to more than Rs 7.66 million. 

In scientific research, replication refers to the process in which another scientist or research team repeats an experiment to verify the accuracy and reliability of the findings. This year, the Replication Prize was distributed under two categories: ‘Track One’ and ‘Track Two’.

Under Track One, concept papers and research-based ideas were rewarded with grants of up to 5,000 U.S. dollars. Track Two honored products that had already been developed, certified, and introduced into the market.

What is Maze Engineers Software?

Conduct Science launched the Maze Engineers software in 2023. Adhikari currently serves as the head of Artificial Intelligence for the software. According to him, the platform is mainly used in neuroscience research and medicine testing.

“Before testing medicines on humans, researchers first test them on mice, fish, and other creatures. Previously, scientists had to spend hours manually observing videos and recording their behavior,” Adhikari said.

The AI-powered software developed by the team now automatically analyzes subtle behavioral patterns of laboratory animals through cameras and prepares reports. During medicine testing, the system studies activities such as stress levels, walking patterns, and repeated movements like rubbing hands and feet. 

Eight researchers are involved in the project, including Santosh Adhikari, Shuhan He, Louise Corscadden, Boyu Peng, Yaning (Abby) Zheng, Annelise Silva, Andres Diaz, and Lauren Beaudin. According to Adhikari, the software is currently being used in more than 200 laboratories across over 50 countries worldwide. 

Use of AI in Research

After joining Conduct Science in 2023, Adhikari introduced the use of AI into the company’s research system. He said AI helped overcome several technical limitations previously faced by scientists during research.

Adhikari completed his bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Tribhuvan University-affiliated Kathford College before moving to France in 2022 for higher studies. He later completed a master’s degree in AI in Healthcare in France and is currently working remotely with the United States-based Conduct Science team.

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